Introduction
A Shankh or Conch is the cell of any sea snail that is used as a blowing instrument after every Worship by Hindus. Blowing of Shankh (Shankhnaad) is a must ritual at the end of every worship which is believed to bring auspiciousness, fortune, and good luck into the house and keep away the negative energies entering the house. Therefore, no worship or Puja is considered complete without the ‘Shankhnaad’.
Learn in this article what a Shankh is made from, its types, why it is blown, how to do Shankhnaad, the benefits of blowing Shankh, and many more.
What Is A Shankh (Conch)?
A Shankh or Conch is a conical-shaped sea object obtained from a large mollusc belonging to the Strombidae family of large and medium sea snails. In Hinduism, the conch is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. It is believed to be the abode of goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu and blowing of Shankh after the worship brings auspiciousness into the home. Because of its special significance, many other Hindu deities can be seen holding it in their hands such as Goddess Siddhidatri, Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Lord Kuber, etc.
Image: Conch
Why Is Blowing of Shankh A Must Ritual At The End Of Every Worship?
The sound of Shankh is the sound of ‘Om’ which is the first letter/word that originated from the holy mouth of the almighty God. It has all the vibrations of the universe and has a divine impact upon hearing and pronouncing.
This is the reason ‘Blowing Shankh’ is considered sacred and auspicious in Hinduism and it is blown with the belief that It will bring good luck and prosperity into their homes. Its divine sound creates a positive aura in the surroundings and prevents negative energies from entering the house. In every Hindu House, Shankh or Conch is kept at a worshiping place in the ‘Puja Room (A small temple in the home)’ and worshiped daily.
Image: Man Blowing Shankh
Who Can Blow The Shankh?
Shankh or Conch is believed to be a sacred instrument and is worshiped by Hindus considering it as an emblem of Lord Vishnu. Therefore, anyone who has the utmost respect towards Hinduism and Lord Vishnu can do ‘Shankhnad’ after taking a blessing from the Lord. However, you must keep in mind that Shankh must be played with pure heart, mind, and body. Therefore, before blowing off Shankh, clean yourself by bath, ask permission from the Deities, and blow Shankh with reverence to show your devotion towards the Lord and pray for his blessings.
What Is The Method For Blowing Shankh?
Blowing off Shankha is super duper easy and anyone with pure reverence can produce an auspicious sound from it. However, if you are new to it, don’t worry, understanding the mechanism will help you to blow it. So learn the method for how it works in the below lines and blow Shankh in easy steps:
(a) Form a grip around Shankha with both of your hands and hold it firmly.
(b) Take a deep breath and fill your lungs with air.
(c) Place your lips onto the hold of Shankh and pack the hole with your leaps ensuring no leak for the air.
(d) Now, pass the air from your mouth into the Shankh through a hole making a ‘Poo’ with your pursed lips.
(e) Ensure the air passes from your mouth to Shankh by vibrating your lips.
(f) Blow the Shankh steadily passing air consistently into the hole and do not push extra air force into it.
(g) Maintain a steady rhythm and adjust the breath force to produce auspicious sound consistently.
What Are The Benefits Of Blowing Shankh?
Blowing Shankh has many health benefits on the physical and spiritual levels. According to the Asian Pacific Journal Of Health Sciences blowing Shankh has the following health benefits:
(a) The Sound waves produced by Shankh enhance positive psychological vibrations and lead to improved focus, strengthened willpower, enhanced performance, low anxiety, etc.
(b) Blowing of Shankh has a hugely beneficial effect on health, especially on the heart and respiratory system.
(c) Blowing of Shankh regularly reduces the tongue fat and prevents multiple orofacial problems.
(d) The cosmic energy of the earth gets magnified on entering the conch shell which radiates positive vibes and eradicates negative energy from surroundings upon blowing.
(e) The blowing of Shankh makes the atmosphere holy, pure, and conducive to spiritual growth.
(f) It can cure stammering, pulmonary disorders, asthma, cough, liver, and spleen ailments in children.
(g) Blowing of Shankh regularly reduces blockages in the heart and improves the respiratory system.
Key Points To Remember When Blowing Shankh
You should remember some essential things when motivated to play Shankh. Go with them in the below lines:
(a) When blowing Shankh keep in mind its chastity, purity, and spiritual significance.
(b) However, it is hard, but is brittle so hold it tightly and play carefully.
(c) After blowing the Shankh, pure it by pouring water from the hole keeping the Shankh vertical.
(d) Shankh is a sacred thing so always get yourself pure before going to blow Shankh.
(e) Shankh is blown after the end of worship, and its water is also used for holy bathe of the Deities.
Conclusion
Blowing of Shankh is a sacred ritual that can arouse spirituality, positivity, and strong willpower in you. It creates positive energy in your surroundings, cleanses your soul, and provides you with a divine aura for your spiritual journey. So, connect with the divine energies with the auspicious sound of Shankh ‘Om’ and cultivate an atmosphere of peace, purity, and good fortune in your homes.
