Shankh in english is called Conch shell. According to Hindu beliefs Shankh is a very auspicious object which is blown before the commencement of any auspicious work. When a Shankh is blown it radiates positive vibes and it wards off negative energy in the environment. Image of lord Vishnu is always shown with a Shankh in one of his arms. Apart from blowing, a Shankh is used for ritualistic worship too. Shankh is used to hold water and the water held in the Shankh is said to be as pure as the water of Ganga. Shankh was one of the 14 items that emerged from the Samudra Manthan.
Types of Shankh
A Shankh is either classified as a Right Handed Shankh or a Left Handed Shankh and the classification is made on the basis of spirals that form on end of the shell. The image shown below is of a Left Handed Shankh, which is held in right hand while blowing. The spirals of a Shankh closely resemble the Golden Ratio (1.618).
Shankh is found in many varieties of which Dakshinavarati Shankh is a very auspicious one and it is rare too. Dakshinavarati Shankh is a right handed Shankh.
Importance of Shankh as per Vedas
Brahma Vaivarta Puran says “the sound of conch helps in gaining wealth and one who takes bath in its water gets the benefits of taking bath at all the holy places.
As per Varaha Puran, the doors of a temple should not be opened before blowing a conch.
Right way to use a Shankh
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- A Shankh should used for blowing should not be used for worship.
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- Never place two Shankhs at the place of worship
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- A shankh should never be kept on the floor.
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- Never immerse a Shankh in the water for the purpose of filling it. Water should be poured in it.
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- A Shankh produces a lot of vibrations hence it should not be blown unnecessarily.
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- A Shankh used for blowing should never be used to offer water to idols of gods.
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- Shankh should never be touched to a Shivlinga.
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- Shankh is never used to give a holy bath to lord Shiva.
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- A Shankh should’nt be left empty. Fill it with either water or milk or rice.
- A female Shankh, also known as Shankhini should not be used as this Shankh has a thorny surface and it radiates negative vibes when blown.
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