Blowing the conch

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Why do we blow the conch?

 

In temples or at homes, the conch is blown once or several times

before ritualistic worship (pooja). It is sometimes blown whilst

during aarti or to mark an auspicious occasion. It is blown before a

battle starts or to announce the victory of an army. It is also

placed in the altar and worshipped

 

When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om eminates. 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 the devas, stole

the vedas and went to the bottom of the ocean. The devas appealed to

Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as matsya avataar - 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 shankh after

shankhaasura. The conch blown by the Lord is called paanchajany. He

carries it 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 vistory call of good

over evil. If we place a conch close to our ears, we hear the sound

of the waves of the ocean.

 

Another well known purpose of blowing the conch and other

instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to

drown or mask the negative comments or noises that may disturb or

upset the atmosphere or the minds of the worshippers.

 

Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over

by a primary temple and several smaller ones. During the aarti

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 tirth

(sanctified water) to raise their minds to the highest truth.