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HINDU RITUALS AND ROUTINES - WHY DO WE FOLLOW THOSE?..contd..10
18. Why do we blow the conch?
When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an
auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the
world and the Truth behind it.
As the story goes, the demon Shankhaasura defeated devas, the Vedas and went to
the bottom of the ocean. The devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as
Matsya Avataara - the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the
conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged
the Vedas.
All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of Om. The conch
therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called
Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands.
It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas)
of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil.
Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known
traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or
noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.
Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary
temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas
and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small,
the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it
to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds,
and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds
to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.
The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a
symbol of Naada Brahma (Truth), the Vedas, Om, dharma, victory and auspiciousness.
It is often used to offer devotees thirtha (sanctified water) to raise their minds to the
highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.
Twam puraa saagarot pannaha
Vishnunaa vidhrutahakare
Devaischa poojitha sarvahi
Panchjanya namostu te
Salutations to Panchajanya
the conch born of the ocean
Held in the hand of Lord Vishnu
and worshipped by all devaas
contd...11
When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an
auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the
world and the Truth behind it.
As the story goes, the demon Shankhaasura defeated devas, the Vedas and went to
the bottom of the ocean. The devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as
Matsya Avataara - the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the
conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged
the Vedas.
All knowledge enshrined in the Vedas is an elaboration of Om. The conch
therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasua. The conch blown by the Lord is called
Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands.
It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas)
of life. The sound of the conch is thus also the victory call of good over evil.
Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known
traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or
noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.
Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary
temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas
and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small,
the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it
to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds,
and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds
to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.
The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a
symbol of Naada Brahma (Truth), the Vedas, Om, dharma, victory and auspiciousness.
It is often used to offer devotees thirtha (sanctified water) to raise their minds to the
highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.
Twam puraa saagarot pannaha
Vishnunaa vidhrutahakare
Devaischa poojitha sarvahi
Panchjanya namostu te
Salutations to Panchajanya
the conch born of the ocean
Held in the hand of Lord Vishnu
and worshipped by all devaas
contd...11