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

Why do we blow the conch?

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna to one and all!

In our previous post, as mentioned, let us know about how the conch came to be named as ‘Shankha’.

As the story goes, the demon named Shankhaasura defeated Devas, took 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.

A conch should be blown, when beginning any ritualistic worship and prior to the Arti. By blowing the conch 3 times before beginning any ritualistic worship, movement of negative energies in the environment is reduced. This helps in reducing the obstacle of distressing vibrations and allows the flow of Sattva predominant frequencies of the Deities. This further creates a protective sheath or an armour of Chaitanya around the various items used in the ritualistic worship.

... to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post let us know about the fruit called as Jamun, also known as Jumbalum in English and Eugenia Jambolana in Latin.

1. It’s a fruit of a large tree

2. It has excellent medicinal properties against diabetes because of its effect on the pancreas

3. The stone of the fruit is used as medicine for diabetes

4. It has a constipating effect and the bark of the tree is astringent

5. Decoction prepared from the bark deals effectively from swollen and bleeding gums

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22^nd June, keep chanting the Radhekrishna namam and enjoy supreme bliss.

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

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