Why do we blow shankh before starting puja?
Shankh or shankam in Sanskrit means “a conch holding the sacred water.”In Hinduism, a Shankha (conch shell) is used in sacred rituals.The shankha is a sacred emblem of Vishnu, the Hindu preserver god, in Hindu mythology. It is still used in Hindu rituals as a trumpet, and it was once utilised as a military trumpet. In Hindu texts, the shankha is praised as a giver of fame, longevity, and prosperity, as well as a cleanser of sin and the home of goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and Vishnu’s consort.
What does Shankh depicts in Purana?
The shankh was created by the Deities during the churning of the ocean (Samudramanthan), and Shri Vishnu wielded it as a weapon, according to our ancient texts, the Puranas. According to a holy verse chanted frequently during the puja ritual, the deities Moon, Sun, and Varun are stationed at the base of the shankh, the deity Prajapati on its surface, and all pilgrimage sites such as the Ganga and Saraswati in its front portion, all of which are under Shri Vishnu’s command.
A dakshinavarta shankha(Valampuri Shankh) is associated with Vishnu and represents boundless space in Hinduism. The Vamavarta shankha(Edampuri Shankh) is associated with Shiva and represents the reversal of natural laws. Bathing with the Dakshinavarta shankha purifies one from sin, according to the Varaha Purana. According to the Skanda Purana, bathing Vishnu with this shankha cleanses him of the sins he committed in his previous seven lifetimes. A Dakshinavarta shankha is a valuable “diamond,” or ratna, with several attributes. It is also thought to provide longevity, reputation, and fortune in proportion to its radiance, whiteness, and size. Mounting a shankha in gold is thought to restore the shankha’s virtues, even if the shankha has a flaw.
Why Shankh is used in Puja Rituals and How it is used?
In the puja ritual, blowing shankh has a specific importance. According to the ‘Varaha Puran,’ one should not open the temple door without first blowing the shankh.In a puja ritual, the shankh is used in two ways. One for blowing before the rite begins, and the other for the puja itself. The shankh used for blowing should not be kept in the puja room.
Before beginning puja or performing arti, the left turned shankh (Vamnavrata or Edampuri)is blown. In the atmosphere, there are three types of frequencies: sattva, rajas, and tamas. The raja dominant and tama dominant frequencies, for example, produce uncomfortable vibrations. The sattva dominant frequencies are drawn to the place of puja ritual, while the raja and tama dominant frequencies repel them, preventing them from reaching the puja site and obstructing the flow of sattva frequencies.
When the shankh is blown before the puja begins, energy is released from it. Distressing frequencies lose their power as a result of this energy. In addition, a protective Chaitanya (divine consciousness) armour is generated around the puja objects. There’s one more advantage. When the shankh is blown, the activated energy of Shri Vishnu throughout the universe is drawn to the seat of worship, which is beneficial not only to the person blowing the shankh, but also to everyone who hears it.
Before an arti, the shankh is blown, same as it is before the start of puja. The goal is to keep the deity’s Chaitanya drawn to the puja ritual location, as well as the pure atmosphere created by the sattvik frequencies, for a long time.
The shankh is preserved in a precise way during the puja process. The pointed end is aimed at the deity. The pointed section of shankh attracts the frequencies of Chaitanya and the energy emanating from the representations of deities. From the opposite end of the shankh, energy and Chaitanya frequencies are discharged, purifying the atmosphere and so benefiting the worshipper. When the shankh is kept with its pointed portion facing the deity, the house receives the requisite amount of energy emitted from the other end.
Prior to the actual puja of a deity and after the kalash puja, a shankh is filled with water. Offerings of sandalwood paste, flowers, and Tulsi leaves are then made to it in a ceremonial manner. The worshipper sprinkles the water filled in shankh on himself and the puja materials after the shankh puja. The water in the shankh is as pure as the water in the Ganga river. It’s also utilised to give the deities a holy bath (abhishek).
What is the correct method of blowing shankh?
- To begin, gently elevate your neck and bend it backwards, keeping your mind concentrated.
- Take a deep breath and begin blowing with increasing force.
- It’s important to remember that shankh blowing should be done in one breath.
- When the shankh is blown in this manner, the individual’s Sushumna channel is stimulated, which aids in maintaining a proper balance of raja and sattva particles connected to the Tej and Vayu elements. This activates a deity’s saviour and destroyer principles, depending on the situation.
What precautions should be followed while blowing Shankh?
- In a puja ritual, never utilise shankh meant for blowing. They should be distinct.
- Never offer water to the deity using a shankh that has been used for blowing.
- In a temple room, do not keep two shankhs for worship.
- During a puja rite, never touch the Shiva pindi with shankh.
- Never give the deities Shiva and Sun a sacred bath with a shankh. (Although Shankh abhishekam is performed in some Shiva temples in Tamilnadu)
What are the benefits of Shankh?
- When the shankha is blown, it produces the primal sound of “Om.” The Vedas began with the sound “Om,” which denotes creation.
- During Hindu devotion, the conch shell is blown to summon Hindu deities. Blowing shankh helps us focus our attention on God and keep them away from distracting thoughts.
- Blowing shankh produces a vibration or sound that purifies the air and destroys disease-causing microorganisms in the surroundings.
- Placing a conch shell near your ear produces an oceanic humming sound. It’s essentially a cosmic energy that’s amplified when it enters the shankh.
- It is said that blowing shankh on a regular basis improves the respiratory system, strengthens the lungs, and treats heart blockages.
- The act of blowing shankh cleanses our minds of negative energy and transforms the atmosphere into a holy and spiritual place.
- When one blows shankh, it is believed that frequencies of divine energy are emitted, which project shakti, Chaitanya, and Anand into the environment. As a result, it keeps evil eyes at bay and dispels negative energy.
- Blowing shankh (conch shell) on a regular basis is recommended for a stammering child since it aids in the treatment of the condition.
- When the shankha is blown, it emits a large number of cosmic rays that help to heal diseases and afflictions.
- If you drink the water that has been stored in the conch shell overnight, it contains calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and sulphur, which treats skin disorders, allergies, and upset stomach.
- When you mix rose water with shankh water and rinse your hair with it, it helps to restore the natural colour of your hair.
- If you have white spots on your face, soak it in shankh water overnight and apply it to the affected area for a month to notice results.
- Drink two spoons of this overnight shankh preserved water if you have stomach ache, indigestion, or laceration in the intestines.
- Dark circles beneath the eyes can be treated by gently massaging them with Conch for five minutes each day before going to bed.
- Ayurvedic medicines use the conch shell as well. Menopause is widely treated with its ash.
