Shankha

Shankh belongs to animal phylem mollusca, whose hard outer shell is being used in various religious rituals in India from last 5000 years and more. Shanstambh word originates from Sanskrit language and it means sacred water pot even today Shankh used before and after each festival and ceremonies. All gods are worshiped with Shankh except Lord Shiva.

The Samudra manthan (Ocean Churning) which was done by gods and demon as per puranas, 14 gems were come out and Shankh was one of them. Thus religiously Shank is considered as brother of goddess Lakshmi and brother in law of Lord Vishnu. According to other belief Lord Vishnu had killed a demon names Panch Janaya and they were Shankh made of his bonhes.

Shankh have been classified on different basis eg. on the basis of Varna –

Likewise on the basis of mouth it is of two types-clock wise and anti clock wise. Clock wise shankh is considered as most sacred it is also divided into sub parts based on ling (sex). Male shankh-thick with rough surface and female shankh called shankhini-thin with smooth surface.

In skand puran several qualities have been mentioned about high quality shankh. The shankh of milk white colour, long neck and thick central part is clock wise shankh and when whistled the sound of ohm with echo effect comes out is the best quality, And have all the good features.

This puran contains description regarding place of binding them eg Fanch Janya Shankh is found in Dwarika region, Ant Vijay Shankh in somnath region, Manipushp in Rameshwaram, Paudu Shankh is obtained from the mouth of river kaveri in south India. Panch Janya Shankh is considered best of all.

Shankh has more significance in Indian spirituality and is considered as a form of god. It is belived that different god remains present on its different parts Brahama is present on its head Sun god in middle and moon in the lower position. Right part is the place of Dikpalas where as central four parts is the symbol of Ganga.

Vedas also consist of provision of Shankh worship and rishies has composed sacred mantras for this. On the occasion of worship its five name are used – Amburaj, Kamburaj, Dhawalaya, Panch Janaya, Padambhargava.

Shankhs are considered as prrecious property. Lord Kuber is considered as owner of 9 properties and Shankh is one of them-like wise Shankh is are of the musical instrument and most significance of five musical instrument in the tradition of Indian classical music.

In ancient period to have a Shankh was the symbol of power and valoury. In Bhagwad Geeta there is mention of Panch Janaya Shankh of Lord Krishna, Anant Vijay of Yudhisthir, Pondu Shankh is Bhim, Devadatta of Arjun, Sughesh of nakul and Manipushpak Shankh of Sahdeo besides other fighters had used Shankh with different names.

In Budh religion Shankh is considered as indicator of good omen and luck beside Hindu relgion. the Asthmangal signs as mentioned in budh religion. Shankh is one of them.

In puranas and other religious text, water kept in Shankh has been considered very sacred and important. It has been regarded as one which ends all diseases and evils. In spiritual sect Shankh sound is considered to repeal bad spirits and bad luck do not enters. However the powder of Shankh is used in the Ayarvedic medicine of different types.

Presently a seprate stream of science for studying Shankhas have been founded and called Malacology. Malacologists are the expert of this and this study in getting popularity very much in recent years.

Today the sound fo Shankh is considered very sacred in true sense in hindu society and is called Gosh. It is considered as symbol of victory holyness welfare good omen and lluch Brahaman priest worship different god through it also.