Why do we blow the conch?

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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.