Indian Lakshmi Shank - stupidity &/OR dishonesty??

April 30, 2009

Well, Jr gurubrother Rajiv Bhai ji, thanks for your merciful best wishes to us

beginner devotees from 1967 Initiation. (HAA!!! That is a personal lesson in

Gaudiya Sampradaya etiquette told as a facetious joke. But an important lesson

none the less.)

Wow! The wonderful SHANK (Indian-conch) information you have given is great.

Yet nowhere mentions the existence of any WHELK SHELL native to N. America, and

which are totally different shell species to the only-genuine and true Lakshmi

Shank that is known to Conchology.

FACT: The Whelk shell is not a conch shell (Shank) nor forms any part in

Conchology.

Therefore any company which sells " Whelk " shells as " Lakshmi " " Valampuri " ,

" dakshinavarti " , or any form or name of real Shanks) is guilty of either

stupidity & /OR dishonesty (fraud by any standard).

A recent list of such nonsense offenders against Sanatan Dharma. who pose as

Lakshmi Shank dealers with only a Whelk shell to show. How absurd. But truth is

even stranger than fiction so check this list of knuckle-heads (taken from

http://www.p-g-a.org/complaints.html ):

Bogus: Examples of those who mistake Lightning Whelk (Busycon Contrarium) as

Dakshinvarti Lakshmi Conch (Turbinella Pyrum)

Bogus: Examples of those who mistake Lightning Whelk (Busycon Contrarium) as

Dakshinvarti Lakshmi Conch (Turbinella Pyrum)

http://www.futurepointindia.com/Products/showProductdetails1.asp?Category=CROUN & \

ItemID=FPT162 & ImageName=Shankh & ItemName=Dakshinavarti%20Shankh

http://www.astromuni.com/rare/dakshinavarti_shankh.asp

http://www.liveindia.com/parad/shankh.html

http://www.sarnam.com/dakshinawarti.asp

http://kaalpurush.tripod.com/puja_articles.html

http://kaalchakra0.tripod.com/id29.html

http://www.vardhmanastro.com/ast/shankh/dks.asp

http://www.rudraksham.com/category.asp?page=1 & category=pujaitem & type=%20more

http://www.rudraworld.com/Dakshinavarti.html

http://www.shopastrology.com/catInfo.php?pid=70 & page=1 & stlimit=0 & sec=

http://www.brahmgyan.com/misc.htm

http://www.plusvalueindia.com/vastucure1.htm

http://www.aofhs.com/ASTRO-ITEMS.htm

THE LIST OF BOGUS SUPPLIERS GOES ON AND ON...Many Hindu puja dealers are selling

bogus Lakshmi Shank... SHAME!!!

sacred-objects , Shaligram Shala <shaligram8 wrote:

>

> Hare Krishna Prabhu Richard ji,Â

> Please accept my best wishes, all glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, all

glories to all the devotees of the Lord.

> Â

> Prabhu as desired I am sending you the few references from Hindu Mythology

about Shankh Prabhu. I am sorry the mail is slightly long Prabhu.

>

> The Legend of Shamkha or Â Shankh or Counch

> Prabhu I am quoting few texts from Hindu Mythology about Sacredness of counch

or Shankha in Hindu religion. Very intimately associated with the salagramas are

the sacred conch- shells known as samkhas, which are also geological and

biological specimens of great antiquity. The sankhas are marine fossil remains

of the large gastropods (stomach-footed), especially â€˜strombus gigasâ€™. They

are shells of bivalve mollusk (conchifera division of the molluscs). Mollusks

are animals of the sea-shore, with soft bodies devoid of any bones but having

hard shells.

> Â

> In Indian Mytholgy, the use of these shells to announce the commencement of an

encounter on the battle-field has been mentioned in the great epic Mahabharata.

In the Bhagavad-gita, the loud roar of the conch-shells blown by the Pandava

army is said to have unnerved the Kauravas (Gita 1-9).

> Â

> In the Bhagavad-gita, we read that Krishnaâ€™s conch-shell was named

â€˜Pancha-janyaâ€™, Bhimaâ€™s â€˜Paundraâ€™. Yudhishthiraâ€™sÂ

â€˜Ananta-vijayaâ€™, Nakulaâ€™s â€˜Sughoshaâ€™ and Sahadevaâ€™s

â€˜Mani-pushpakaâ€™ (Gita1-15-16). Each of the other prominent warriors like

Dhirshtadyumna, Satyaki, Sikhandi, Drupad etc.) had their own conch-shell

trumpet.. The loud sound from the conch-shell is described as â€˜ghoshaâ€™,

â€˜samkha-ravaâ€™, or â€˜samkha-svanaâ€™.

> Â

> And in religious lore, especially in Buddhism as well, it is one of the eight

auspicious signs (Ashta-Mangala), the other seven knot (Granthi), wheel

(Chakra), banner (Pataka), and a pair of fish (mina). The conch-shell here

symbolizes the dharma-teaching (dharma-Shankha), even as the Parasol stands for

the divine protection, Vase for Immortality, Flower for mercy, Knot for

eternity, Wheel for truthÂ and Banner for victory.

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The form of the conch-shell is imitated in a particular

hand-gesture (mudra) employed in classical dance as well as in ritualistic

worship. It is known as â€˜Shankha-Mudraâ€™, belonging to the â€˜Samyutaâ€™

variety (where both the hands are used together).

> Â

> Shankha in Indian mythology is also the name given to one of the nine

treasures held by the god of wealth, Kubera. It represents a hundred billion (or

100,000 koti or crore). An attendant of Kubera is called Samkha-nidhi, and he is

shown as a corpulent dwarf seated in an easy posture holding a conch-shell in

one of his two hands. His companion is Padmanidhi, who resembles Samkha-nidhi in

all particulars except that he holds a lotus in his hand instead of conch-shell;

> Â

> The Sanskrit word â€˜Shankhaâ€™ has the etymological meaning of pacifying the

inauspicious (Sam, Unadi-Sutra, 1-104, â€˜Samyati Subhamâ€™). It is most

characteristically associated with Vishnu, and is one of the four â€˜Ayudhasâ€™

weaponâ€™, but employed in the sense of whatever is held in the hand usually

found in his hands; the Discus (Chakra), the Mace (Gada) and the Lotus (Padma)

being the other three.. The conch held by Vishnu is named pancha-janya, even as

the discus in his hand is Sudarshana and the mace Kaumodaki.

> Â

> There is a legend which associates the conch-shell with Vishnu. The

conch-shell is supposed to have appeared on earth from the bones of a demon

called Samkha-chuda. Owing to aÂ curse from Radha (in Goloka), the chief of

Krishnaâ€™s attendants (Parshada), whose name was Sudama, had to be born on the

earth among mortals. He took the form of a mighty monster, which was lustrous

and pompous. He, however, performed austerities in the Badari-Hermitage on the

Himalayan ranges, and obtained from Brahma the boon of an invincible Armour

(Kavacha). The armour would without fail protect his life, until the armour was

damaged, and the armour would be damaged only when the chastity of his spouse

was violated.

> Â

> It was then that the Gods requested to Vishnu to destroy Samkha-chuda somehow,

and save the worlds from his torments.

> Â

> Vishnu presented a mighty spear (sula) to Lord Shiva, to fight with the demon,

and sent him to provoke the demon for and encounter. As Shiva was fighting with

Samkha-chuda, Vishnu took the form of the demon and went to Tulasi, inviting her

for amorous play. Tulasi not realizing that it was not really her husband,

yielded to him. Her chastity was thus lost, and immediately Siva was able to

break the armour of Samkha-chuda into pieces, and kill him..

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Tulasi, when she discovered the fraud played on her,

became grief-stricken, in, inconsolable, and cursed Vishnu to become a stone for

his hard-heartedness (â€˜Pashano bhava, yatah pashana-hrdayo hyasiâ€™). Soon ,

she realized that it was Vishnu, her own lord, and fell at his feet, imploring

him to forgive her. Vishnu, asked her to leave her body and allow her spirit to

ascend to Goloka; she would, there, become one with Lakshmi. Her body here would

be transformed into a holy stream in the Himalayan ranges and will be called as

Gandaki river, and Vishnu would dwell in her bosom as Salagrama-stones; her

tresses of hair would become the sacred plant called Tulasi. The bones of her

husband here, Samkha-chuda, would become the holy conch-shell of different types

which would be employed in the worship of Vishnu.

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â We also read in texts like

Salagrama-murti-lakshna-samgraha, that the Salagramas, the Dwaraka-stones,

conch-shell and tulsi-leaves represent the presence of Vishnu alike.

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â This story, given in Brahma-Vaivarta-Purana

(Prakrtikhanda), brings out the close relationship that obtains between the

Salagrama-stones, Tulasi leaves and the Conch-Shell. There are slight variations

in the story, as for instance, in Padma-Purana, where Samkha-chuda and Tulasi

become Jalandhara and Vruinda.. But the involvement of Vishnu in the story is

prominent, and the prohibition against the use of conch-shell in the worship of

Siva is explained by the fight that Samkha-chuda by Siva. The conch-shell is

sacred for all other gods, and it especially signifies the presence of Lakshmi,

the goddess of wealth and prosperity. We read in the purana quoted above

(Brahma-Vaivarta, Prakrti-khanda, 18, 1-7):

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The conch-shells are of many kinds, because the bones

of Samkha-chudaâ€™s body were of many shapes. Water in the conch-shell is dear

to all water from the conch-shell has the merit of taking a bath in all sacred

streams in the country. In the conch-shell dwells Vishnu, and wherever the

conch-shell is, Vishnu too is there and there resides Lakshmi, warding off all

evil.

> Â

> Salagramas are prescribed to be bathed in water or milk from the conch-shell;

and tulasi-leaves are the placed not only on the Salagrama but on the

conch-shell also. Before the worship of Vishnu begins, the conch-shell also is

worshipped (Samkharchana). The conch-shell is now waved three times in front of

the worshipped icon (Samkha-Bharamana) in order to eradicate the ill-effectsÂ

of the shadow of the icon )â€™Bimba-chhaya-dosha Pariharathamâ€™). The

conch-shell is filled with water, and the Dhenu-mudra is assumed by the hands,

while the eight-lettered mantra (Om Namoh â€˜Narayanayaâ€™, ) is recited. The

first waving should be from the feet of the icon to the crown

(padadi-mukuta-paryanta), the second from the navel to the crown

(manjauado-,ilita-paryanta), and the third from the heart to the crown

(hrdayadi-mukuta-paryanta). The followingÂ verse is also uttered to signify

that the water in the conch-shell (samkha tirtha) has now acquired beneficial

> curative and protective properties.

> Â

> The conch-shell that are worship-worthy are obtained on the sea coasts of

Madras, Puri (Jagannatha), Ramesvaram and Sri Lanka Broadly, there are two

varieties : (1) those with right-ward convolution (dakshinavarta and (2) those

with left-ward convolution (vamavarta). The former are said to be rare, and are

supposed to occur in two sub-varieties : (i) male (purusha), the conch-shell

which have thick and coarse crust, and (ii) female (samkhini), the conch-shells

called in Tamil â€˜valam-puriâ€™ and in Kannada â€˜balamuriâ€™, are held

exceedingly holy, and are themselves worshipped. Varaha-purana (the chapter on

Prabodhine-Mahatmya) tells us that water from this conch when sprinkled on

oneâ€™s head and sipped will eliminate all sins.

> Â

> According to Skanda-purana, the sacred conch-shell must be duzzling white in

colour, like cowâ€™s milk, and must have a long neck and broad body; it must be

long in the front portion. When blown, it should emit a long central line. The

right-convoluted shell is meritorious.

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Not all forms of conch-shell obtained from the sea are

suitable to be used in worhip. They are all bivalve shells (sambuka), and many

occur in many colours. The wise folk will discern the acceptable characteristics

(lakshna) in them. The good conch-shell are available in only in some places,

and not everywhere in the ocean.

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The Skanda-purana (Setu-Mahatmya section) eulogizes the

seaside in Ramesvaram in different sites: Paundra, where the river Kaveri joins

the sea, Ananta-Vijaya in the eastern coast near Somanath, Mani-pushpa in

Agnitirtha to the west of Ramesvaram in the South, Sughosha in Samkha-tirtha in

the region between the Vata (a collection of sixteen vata-trees in Vajra-mandala

on the banks of the river Yamuna) and the sea, Pancha-janya in Kusasthali

(another name for Dvaraka, more particularly Chakra-tirtha), and deva-datta in

the region where the river Tamara-parni flows and the shrine to Sangamesvara

isÂ located. Of these varieties, the text says that Pancha-janya isÂ the best.

> Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

> Hari-vamsa (89, 15-17) discusses a separate legend of Shankha and associates

Pancha-janya with Vishnu, because Krishna Killed the whale-demon called

Panchajana in the seas, and the conch-shells were formed out the bones of this

demon (â€˜pancha-jana daitya-viseshe bhavah pancha-janyahâ€™, â€˜pancha-jano

nama daityah samudre timira-rupa asit; tad asthi-jatamâ€™ etc. Amara-Kosha gives

Vishnu-Shankha as the synonym of pancha-janya. Sometimes, the name Pancha-janya

is given to a rare and freak formation of a conch-shell in which the cavity

contains within it another smaller conch-shell attached to it. A specimen

preserved in the Chamundesvari-temple atop the hill in Mysore contains still

another (third) conch-shell. All good samkhas are said to be pancha-janyas,.

> Â

> The conch-shell, is said to have the preserve of all the gods and goddesses :

Brahma on the seat (samkha-pitha or samkhadhara), Surya in the middle of the

conch-shell, and Chandra at the tip. On the right, side of the conch-shell are

seated Aditya, Varuna, Soma, Vayu and Agni . Shankha is presided over by the

twin-gods Sun and Moon, and Varuna is its deity; at the back of the conch-shell

is Prajapati, and in front the river-goddesses Ganga and Sarasvati

(Viaikhanasagama). So even to look at a conch-shell, or to touch it would mean

eradication of sins, like darkness disappearing on sun-rise:

> Â

> Whorship of Vishnu without the employment of conch-shell and without adoring

it, would take away all the advantages of such worship; and this is the boon

that Vishnu himself has bestowed on the conch-shell. Even before the worship of

Vishnu commences, one should bow before the conch-shell and worship it briefly.

This would secure the fulfillment of all desires and the obtainment of

Vishnuâ€™s own realm. Vishnu or Shaligram Shila must be bathed in water through

the conch-shell.

> Â

> Â Â Â Â Jaya Ho

>

!!!!Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â \

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â \

Â Â Â

>

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â \

Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â

>

> I hope this will help,

> Aum Namoh Bhagvate Vasudevay Saligram Devah Namaha

> I beg to remain yours in the humble service of the Lord and His

> devotees. Have a Nice Day,

> Thanks and Regards,

> Haribol,

> Rajiv Krishna Dasa,

> WWW.SHALIGRAM.COM

> 00 91 9322646421

> 0091 22 24459616

> salagram8

>

> --- On Wed, 29/4/09, Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66 wrote:

>

> Richard Shaw Brown <rsbj66

> Is Lakshmi Shank a Wild life article?

> sacred-objects

> Wednesday, 29 April, 2009, 7:36 PM

>

Dear Pandit Arjun,

>

> Great information. .. You and Rajiv and Chandrashekar are some of the MOST

helpful contabutors to this forum, and the TRUTHS we uncover. This group is a

gold mine of bona fide information on Hindu and Buddhist " Divya Vastu " .

>

> Here are two questions perhaps you can help...

>

> 1) I was told by my late Guru, Tridandi Bhikshu AC Bhaktivedanta Swami

Prabhupada, as recorded that bone is ashuddha (impure) but exception is made in

case of Shank or Indian Conch shell. (This rules out WHELK as it does everything

else). Can you give scriptural references to SHANK which are not Tantrick?

>

> 2) Is genuine Valampuri Turbinella Pyrum " Lakshmi Shank " Conch shell, which is

the most highly prized shell in the World, considered " illegal " ?

>

> With greetings and thanks in advance...

>

> Richard Shaw Brown, PG

> Musician, Designer, Gemologist & Author

> www.richardshawbrow n.com

>

> --- On Thu, 30/4/09, panditarjun2004 <panditarjun2004@ > wrote:

>

> panditarjun2004 <panditarjun2004@ >

> Re: Possession of Wild life articles?

> sacred-objects

> Thursday, 30 April, 2009, 8:18 AM

>

> dear friend

>

> since you could not find the complete list, let me give you the complete list

of seven animals classified as vermin under schedule V of the Indian Wildlife

Act, 1972.

>

> 1. common crow

> 2. common fox

> 3. fruit bats

> 4. jackal

> 5. mice

> 6. rats

> 7. voles

>

> the file as available in the karnataka government website may be viewed below

where you may visit page number 52 to find the above list:

>

> http://karnatakafor est.gov.in/ English/Acts_ Rules/acts/ Wildlife_

Protection_ Act_1972. pdf

>

> with best wishes and blessings

> pandit arjun

> www.rudraksharemedy .com

>

> sacred-objects, " krish667777 " <krish667777@ ...>

wrote:

> >

> > Dear Friend,

> >

> > I have pasted the list " AS IS " , below is one of the reference and you

> > can find the similar list any where on the web:

> >

> > http://envfor. nic.in/legis/ wildlife/ wildlife2s5. html

> > <http://envfor. nic.in/legis/ wildlife/ wildlife2s5. html>

> >

> > http://envfor. nic.in/legis/ wildlife/ wildlife1. html

> > <http://envfor. nic.in/legis/ wildlife/ wildlife1. html>

> >

> > My question was how you were able to fill the rest of the list viz: 2, 4

> > & 7???

> >

> > ------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -

> > From further research, I was able to find the following:

> >

> > See reference from my inquiry in indiansforguns forum(basically they

> > discuss hunting related issues):

> >

> > http://indiansforgu ns.com/viewtopic .php?f=4 & t=6433

> > <http://indiansforgu ns.com/viewtopic .php?f=4 & t=6433> (scroll down)

> >

> > I am researching into other products too.

> >

> > Pandit Arjun- You have mentioned in your previous post regarding

> > " Elephant Pearl " that you talked to Wild Life authorities, can you

> > provide their contact number? I would like to clarify many other

> > products with them.

> >

> > Kindly do not take my question/mail personal, it is for the benefit of

> > one & all, to find out what's legal 'n' what's not:)

> >

> > Thank you,

> > Krish

> >

> > sacred-objects, " panditarjun2004 "

> > <panditarjun2004@ > wrote:

> > >

> > > dear friend

> > >

> > > as a supplier, it is our bounden duty to answer a query of the

> > customer and am glad that you are asking a few queries.

> > >

> > > there are more knowledgeable members like dasaji who says have done

> > great amount of research and says have more ancient scriptures than me

> > and just like you, i too asked him to share his references from the

> > puranas or upanishads or itihasas about higher mukhi rudrakshas. if he

> > or any other valued member shares this information, i would be highly

> > grateful and stand educated that rudraksha above 14mukhi are indeed

> > mentioned in ancient scriptures (any ancient scripture among puranas,

> > upanishads or itihasas). since i am neither a supplier nor a customer of

> > these rudraksha above 15mukhi, can you kindly ask that query also and

> > share the references from anicent scriptures please, so that if they are

> > found mention, i would surely start dealing in them. it is a different

> > thing that the wholesale suppliers were not able to furnsih this earlier

> > without which i said i wont buy from them.

> > >

> > > in your mail, you pasted a list which has blanks at few items viz. 2,

> > 4 and 7. when you furnish a list of seven before the members you shall

> > not censor or delete and shall put the whole thing. in case some

> > footnotes are there, you must go through them and put the names and

> > furnish only the complete list and not an edited list of your own. by

> > the way, the list in the latest amended act which i read has these names

> > and you are giving an edited list deleteing the item dealt by me

> > deliberately. please explain. in case you do not find the complete list

> > of seven animals permitted by the Act, please ask me and i will furnish

> > the Act.

> > >

> > > anyway, as per the Act, hunting and possession of these seven animals

> > (including siyar) is permitted in india. hope this is clear.

> > >

> > > with best wishes and blessings

> > > pandit arjun

> > > www.rudraksharemedy .com

> > >

> > > sacred-objects, " krish667777 " krish667777@

> > wrote:

> > > >

> > > > Dear Friend,

> > > >

> > > > Thank you for the response!

> > > >

> > > > I have gone thru your post and also gone thru wild life act, unable

> > to conclude at this point, wildlife act list and the list provided by

> > you.

> > > >

> > > > According to Indian Wild Life Act, " Vermin " classification is

> > anything which falls under schedule V, i.e:

> > > >

> > > > WILD LIFE (PROTECTION) ACT, 1972

> > > > SCHEDULE V

> > > > (Sections 2, 8, 61 and 62)

> > > > 1.Common crow

> > > >

> > > > 2{2. â€¢â€¢â€¢]

> > > >

> > > > 3.Fruit bats

> > > >

> > > > 2[4. â€¢â€¢*]

> > > >

> > > > 5.Mice

> > > >

> > > > 6.Rats \

> > > >

> > > > 7. â€¢â€¢â€¢]

> > > >

> > > > 1 Inserted vide Noti. No. 1-4/95, dt. 5-12-2001 & corrected vide

> > corrigendum Noti. No. 1-4/95/WL-l, dt. 19-2-2002.

> > > >

> > > > 2 Vide Notification No. FJ 11012/31 /76 FRY(WL), dt. 5-10-1977.

> > > >

> > > > According to your previous post, I found this:

> > > > the hunting or trade of only those animals or birds are prohibited

> > > > which are not declared " vermin " by the governent. the indian

> > > > government has declared the following under " vermin " and hunting and

> > > > possession of these animals or their products listed under " vermin "

> > > > IS PERMITTED under this act:

> > > > 1. common crow

> > > > 2. common fox

> > > > 3. fruit bats

> > > > 4. jackal

> > > > 5. mice

> > > > 6. rats

> > > > 7. voles

> > > >

> > > > I am unable to conclude how you were able to relate list with the 1

> > thru 7 wild animals. I request a breif explanation on the same.

> > > >

> > > > Krish

> > > >

> > > > sacred-objects, " panditarjun2004 "

> > <panditarjun2004@ > wrote:

> > > > >

> > > > > dear friend

> > > > >

> > > > > please go through the archives and you would find a detailed

> > answer from me on this subject given earlier as to what are classified

> > under " vermin " and what all items can be possessed under the indian

> > laws.

> > > > >

> > > > > anyway, for your easy understandig, except ivory, rest all items

> > mentioned by you are tradeable and can be possessed.

> > > > >

> > > > > with best wishes and blessings

> > > > > pandit arjun

> > > > > www.rudraksharemedy .com

> > > > >

> > > > > sacred-objects, " krish667777 "

> > <krish667777@ > wrote:

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Is it OK to possess/procure/ carry wild life articles like :

> > siyar singhi, hatha jori(thou its close to impossible to procure) cats

> > cord, ivory, peacock feathers etc...articles?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > What does the LAW says?

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Krish

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

> Get your preferred Email name!

> Now you can @ymail.com and @rocketmail. com.

>

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>

April 30, 2009

EVERYONE SHOULD BE ASHAMED WHO CONDONES THE FRADULANT SALE OF WHELK SHELLS IN

HINDU DHARMA - IMITATING A REAL LAKSHMI SHANK. IT IS ASATYA VASTU. AND IT IS

INDICATIVE OF A MUCH MORE SPECIFIC APPROACH TO REALITY. It IS or it bloody ISN'T

!!! --- lets call this " realism " Satyavaad!

sacred-objects , " Richard Shaw Brown " <rsbj66 wrote:

>

> Well, Jr gurubrother Rajiv Bhai ji, thanks for your merciful best wishes to us

beginner devotees from 1967 Initiation. (HAA!!! That is a personal lesson in

Gaudiya Sampradaya etiquette told as a facetious joke. But an important lesson

none the less.)

>

> Wow! The wonderful SHANK (Indian-conch) information you have given is great.

>

> Yet nowhere mentions the existence of any WHELK SHELL native to N. America,

and which are totally different shell species to the only-genuine and true

Lakshmi Shank that is known to Conchology.

>

> FACT: The Whelk shell is not a conch shell (Shank) nor forms any part in

Conchology.

>

> Therefore any company which sells " Whelk " shells as " Lakshmi " " Valampuri " ,

" dakshinavarti " , or any form or name of real Shanks) is guilty of either

stupidity & /OR dishonesty (fraud by any standard).

>

> A recent list of such nonsense offenders against Sanatan Dharma. who pose as

Lakshmi Shank dealers with only a Whelk shell to show. How absurd. But truth is

even stranger than fiction so check this list of knuckle-heads (taken from

http://www.p-g-a.org/complaints.html ):

>

> Bogus: Examples of those who mistake Lightning Whelk (Busycon Contrarium) as

Dakshinvarti Lakshmi Conch (Turbinella Pyrum)

>

> Bogus: Examples of those who mistake Lightning Whelk (Busycon Contrarium) as

Dakshinvarti Lakshmi Conch (Turbinella Pyrum)

>

http://www.futurepointindia.com/Products/showProductdetails1.asp?Category=CROUN & \

ItemID=FPT162 & ImageName=Shankh & ItemName=Dakshinavarti%20Shankh

> http://www.astromuni.com/rare/dakshinavarti_shankh.asp

> http://www.liveindia.com/parad/shankh.html

> http://www.sarnam.com/dakshinawarti.asp

> http://kaalpurush.tripod.com/puja_articles.html

> http://kaalchakra0.tripod.com/id29.html

> http://www.vardhmanastro.com/ast/shankh/dks.asp

> http://www.rudraksham.com/category.asp?page=1 & category=pujaitem & type=%20more

> http://www.rudraworld.com/Dakshinavarti.html

> http://www.shopastrology.com/catInfo.php?pid=70 & page=1 & stlimit=0 & sec=

> http://www.brahmgyan.com/misc.htm

> http://www.plusvalueindia.com/vastucure1.htm

> http://www.aofhs.com/ASTRO-ITEMS.htm

>

> THE LIST OF BOGUS SUPPLIERS GOES ON AND ON...Many Hindu puja dealers are

selling bogus Lakshmi Shank... SHAME!!!

>

> sacred-objects , Shaligram Shala <shaligram8@> wrote:

> >

> > Hare Krishna Prabhu Richard ji,Â

> > Please accept my best wishes, all glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga, all

glories to all the devotees of the Lord.

> > Â

> > Prabhu as desired I am sending you the few references from Hindu Mythology

about Shankh Prabhu. I am sorry the mail is slightly long Prabhu.

> >

> > The Legend of Shamkha or Â Shankh or Counch

> > Prabhu I am quoting few texts from Hindu Mythology about Sacredness of

counch or Shankha in Hindu religion. Very intimately associated with the

salagramas are the sacred conch- shells known as samkhas, which are also

geological and biological specimens of great antiquity. The sankhas are marine

fossil remains of the large gastropods (stomach-footed), especially â€˜strombus

gigasâ€™. They are shells of bivalve mollusk (conchifera division of the

molluscs). Mollusks are animals of the sea-shore, with soft bodies devoid of any

bones but having hard shells.

> > Â

> > In Indian Mytholgy, the use of these shells to announce the commencement of

an encounter on the battle-field has been mentioned in the great epic

Mahabharata. In the Bhagavad-gita, the loud roar of the conch-shells blown by

the Pandava army is said to have unnerved the Kauravas (Gita 1-9).

> > Â

> > In the Bhagavad-gita, we read that Krishnaâ€™s conch-shell was named

â€˜Pancha-janyaâ€™, Bhimaâ€™s â€˜Paundraâ€™. Yudhishthiraâ€™sÂ

â€˜Ananta-vijayaâ€™, Nakulaâ€™s â€˜Sughoshaâ€™ and Sahadevaâ€™s

â€˜Mani-pushpakaâ€™ (Gita1-15-16). Each of the other prominent warriors like

Dhirshtadyumna, Satyaki, Sikhandi, Drupad etc.) had their own conch-shell

trumpet.. The loud sound from the conch-shell is described as â€˜ghoshaâ€™,

â€˜samkha-ravaâ€™, or â€˜samkha-svanaâ€™.

> > Â

> > And in religious lore, especially in Buddhism as well, it is one of the

eight auspicious signs (Ashta-Mangala), the other seven knot (Granthi), wheel

(Chakra), banner (Pataka), and a pair of fish (mina). The conch-shell here

symbolizes the dharma-teaching (dharma-Shankha), even as the Parasol stands for

the divine protection, Vase for Immortality, Flower for mercy, Knot for

eternity, Wheel for truthÂ and Banner for victory.

> > Â

> > Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â The form of the conch-shell is imitated in a

particular hand-gesture (mudra) employed in classical dance as well as in

ritualistic worship. It is known as â€˜Shankha-Mudraâ€™, belonging to the

â€˜Samyutaâ€™ variety (where both the hands are used together).

> > Â

> > Shankha in Indian mythology is also the name given to one of the nine

treasures held by the god of wealth, Kubera. It represents a hundred billion (or

100,000 koti or crore). An attendant of Kubera is called Samkha-nidhi, and he is

shown as a corpulent dwarf seated in an easy posture holding a conch-shell in

one of his two hands. His companion is Padmanidhi, who resembles Samkha-nidhi in

all particulars except that he holds a lotus in his hand instead of conch-shell;

> > Â

> > The Sanskrit word â€˜Shankhaâ€™ has the etymological meaning of pacifying

the inauspicious (Sam, Unadi-Sutra, 1-104, â€˜Samyati Subhamâ€™). It is most

characteristically associated with Vishnu, and is one of the four â€˜Ayudhasâ€™

weaponâ€™, but employed in the sense of whatever is held in the hand usually

found in his hands; the Discus (Chakra), the Mace (Gada) and the Lotus (Padma)

being the other three.. The conch held by Vishnu is named pancha-janya, even as

the discus in his hand is Sudarshana and the mace Kaumodaki.

> > Â

> > There is a legend which associates the conch-shell with Vishnu. The