Why do we blow the conch?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna!

In this post, let us know that why the conch is generally blown prior to the Arti.

Any ritualistic worship is concluded by performing the Arti. During Arti, the frequencies of the principles of Deities functional in the universe are attracted to the venue of the worship in large numbers. The raja-tama frequencies can create obstacles to the flow of these frequencies. By blowing the conch, the raja-tama frequencies disintegrate; that is why it is blown prior to an Arti. This purifies the environment and helps in preserving the Divine consciousness generated through the ritualistic worship for a longer period. Thus we derive maximum benefit from the sattva predominant frequencies of Deities attracted to the venue of the Arti.

The blowing of the conch has another use also, predominantly in the villages of India.

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.

In the next post, we will see a shloka that is used to worship the conch and also know the method by which a conch is blown.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about a herb called as Ratanjot, also known as Onosma Echioides in Latin.

1. It’s a herb which grows near the banks of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna

2. It’s a diuretic with cooling properties

3. It purifies blood and also helps to dissolve or eject the calculi (stones) in the gall bladder and the kidney

4. When mixed with oil or ghee, it relieves blobs formed on skin by fire or a burning liquid.

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

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam