Why do we blow the conch?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna to our readers,

In the previous post, we began the topic “Why do we blow the conch?” Let us continue with the same in this post.

In the Western world in the English language, the shell of this species is known as the "divine conch" or the "sacred chank". It may also be simply called a "chank" or conch.

Characteristics

Shankha's scientific name is Turbinella pyrum. It is a porcelaneous shell (i.e. the surface of the shell is strong, hard, shiny, and somewhat translucent, like porcelain). The sea snail which forms the shell is found in the Indian Ocean and surrounding seas.

The overall shape of the main body of the shell is oblong or conical. In the oblong form, it has a protuberance in the middle but tapers at each end. In the conical variety, the upper portion is corkscrew shaped, while the lower end is twisted and tapering. The shell has a broad base. Its colour is dull, and the surface is hard, brittle and translucent. Like all snail shells, the interior is hollow. The inner surfaces of the shell are very shiny, but the outer surface exhibits high tuberculation. In Hinduism, the shankha that is shiny, white, soft with pointed ends and heavy is sought after.

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.

There lies a story behind why the conch is known as Shankha. To know about the same, wait till our next post! Radhekrishna.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about the plant called Doodhi, also known as Euphorbia Thymifolia in Latin.

1. It’s a spreading herb with red branches and reddish green leaves

2. Powder of the herb is helpful in sexual disorders like spermatorrhoea, premature ejaculation and leucorrhoea and bloody piles

3. Given after a purgative, it helps to contain dysentery

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 6^th June, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Why do we blow the conch?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna Dear Readers,

We concluded the topic on “Why do we worship the tulasi?” in our previous post. We have seen so many medicinal uses of the tulasi plant in the last 3 posts. In this post we shall learn about another hindu ritual through the 18^th question of our question & answer series.

Why do we blow the conch?

Let us first know about a conch. What is a conch? For the benefit of those readers who do not know about a conch, let us start the topic by knowing about the same.

In Sanskrit, a conch is known as ‘Shankha’.

Shankha, is a ritual object, a religious object consisting of a conch shell, a kind of large sea shell. It is the shell of a large predatory sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk. The specie has the scientific name Turbinella pyrum and is classified within the family Turbinellidae.

In Hinduism the Shankha is a sacred emblem of the Lord Vishnu. The shankha is still used as an instrument in Hindu ritual, and was used as a war trumpet in the past. The Shankha is praised in Hindu scriptures as a giver of fame, longevity and prosperity, the cleanser of sin and the abode of Lakshmi - the goddess of wealth and consort of Vishnu.

The Shankha is displayed in Hindu art in association with Lord Vishnu.

We shall know more about the conch i.e. Shankha in our next post.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about the plant called as Alsi, also known as Linseed in English and Linum Usi Tatissimum in Latin.

1. Seeds and oil of the plant are used as medicine.

2. It’s a useful remedy for cough and asthma, also useful in inflammations

3. Its used as a poultice for abcesses

4. Ointment made from it relieves pain of burns

That concludes the post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22^nd May, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam