Dakshinavarti Shankh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Shalagram Sila (murthi) on the left and on the right a rare Dakshinavarti Lakshmi Shankh with 3 ridges
visible in the conch cavity

Dakshinavarti Shankh, Valampuri Sangu [in Tamil] or Sri Lakshmi Shankh, is a sacred Hindu object
otherwise known in English as a conch shell. This is the shell of a large sea snail from the Indian Ocean (a shell
of the species Turbinella pyrum), but one that has the very rare reverse-turning spiral.

In other words, when it is held with the spout (siphonal canal) pointed up, this conch's spiral twists rightwards
(dakshinavarti) rather than very much more more common form, which twists leftwards (vamavarti).

True vs. fake

The genuine Lakshmi Shank is a sinistral conch shell from the Indian Ocean, and certainly not a sinistral whelk
species from Florida, USA. A true Valampuri shell is a species under the gastropod genus Turbinella L. The
most common species is Turbinella pyrum L. It is important to note that only sinistral variety of Turbinell
species is a true Lakshmi Shankh. This shell is rare in its occurrence. Other right-turning sea snail shells of a
similar shape such as the lightning whelk Busycon perversum, are often mistakenly sold and worshipped in
place of the genuine Shank. The real Lakshmi Shank has 3 to 7 ridges or plaits on its columella, whereas whelk
shells does not show the presence of such plaits on its columella. The so called flower bud opening test, rice
pulling test, Valampuries coming up through the rice heap are non scientific and are gimicks.

Origin
While genuine Dakshinavarti Lakshmi Conches are only found in the Indian Ocean, between Myanmar (Burma)
all the way to Sri Lanka. The imitation (Lightning Whelks) mostly come from North America.

Rarity
Real Lakshmi Conch (right side spinning) are estimated to occur only one per 100,000 conch shells. The shell
of the lightning whelk on the other hand almost always opens on the right. Valampuries with five plaits or folds
in its cavity are known as 'Panchajanya' and are very rare. Completely snowwhite Valampuries are also very
rare and expensive.

Powers ascribed
The Lakshmi Conch is said to bring all manner of blessing, but particularly material wealth, upon the owner.
Ritual use may include bathing deities, drinking from the conch, or the use of mantras oriented to goddess
Lakshmi.

Current value
A true Dakshinavarthy shell is sold on weight basis. The present market cost in India falls in the range of Rs.
1500/- to Rs. 3500/- per gram. However, there have been some reports that shell is also sold upto Rs. 10000/-
per gram. Based upon a market search of a number of genuine sellers, the price was average of Indian Rs. 6,000
per gram, depending on size, type, and quality, price can be much higher. For example a medium size
Valampuri weighs about 160 grams x Rs 6,000 = Rs. 960,000 (US$ 20,528) minimum. More over, Valampuris
of the smooth "milk" variety sell for over Rs. 20,000 per gram, and weight about 150-350 grams. Tiny dwarf
Valampuris small enough to wear as a pendant are very rare and price is negotiable when available. Regarding
value, note the comparison, a Valampuri costing $20,000 would only purchase a 1.50-carat (300 mg) diamond.
So the legendary cost of Valampuri, as compared to a diamond, is actually quite low, in spite of demand always
far exceeding supply.
Shankha
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carved "left-turning" conches or Vamavarta shankhas, c. 11-12th century, Pala period, India. The leftmost one is carved
with the image of Lakshmi and Vishnu and has silver additions.

Shankha (Sanskrit: , Śaṇkha), also spelled and pronounced as Shankh and Sankha, 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 mollusc from the Indian Ocean. The species has the scientific name Turbinella pyrum and is
classified within the family Turbinellidae.

In Hinduism the Shankha is a sacred emblem of the Hindu preserver god Vishnu. The shankha is still used as a
trumpet 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 Vishnu. As a symbol of water, it is associated with
female fertility and serpents (Nāgas). The Shankha is the state emblem of Indian state of Kerala and was
national emblems of the erstwhile Indian Princely state of Travancore and Kingdom of Kochi

The Shankha is included in the list of the eight Buddhist auspicious symbols, the Ashtamangala. In Tibetan
Buddhism it is known as "tung".

A powder derived from the Shankha is used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, primarily as a cure for stomach
ailments and for increasing beauty and strength.

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.

Regional names
The word shankha is spelt differently in India from one region to another according to the language used there.
It is spelled Shankha in Sanskrit, Kannada and Marathi. In English it is usually known as a conch or conch
shell, but also as a "chank" shell. In Gujarati it is known as Du-sukk, Sanka and Chanku in Tamil, Senkham in
Telugu and Shankho in Bengali.[1]

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.[1] In Hinduism, the shankha that is shiny, white, soft with pointed ends
and heavy is sought after.[2]
Types

Based on its direction of coiling, Shankha has two varieties. These are:[3][4]

Daksnivarta or Dakshinavarta or Dakshinavarti ("right-turned" as viewed with the aperture uppermost): this is
the very rare sinistral form of the species, where the shell coils or whorls expand in a counterclockwise spiral if
viewed from the apex of the shell.
Vamavarta ("left-turned" as viewed with the aperture uppermost): this is the very commonly occurring dextral
form of the species, where the shell coils or whorls expand in a clockwise spiral when viewed from the apex of
the shell.

In Hinduism, a Dakshinavarta shankha symbolizes infinite space and is associated with Vishnu. The Vamavarta
shankha represents the reversal of the laws of nature and is linked with Shiva.[5]

Significance of the Dakshinavarta shankha

Dakshinavarta shankha is believed to be the abode of the wealth goddess Lakshmi - the consort of Vishnu, and
hence this type of shankha is considered ideal for medicinal use. It is a very rare variety from the Indian Ocean.
This type of shankha has 3 to 7 ridges visible on the edge of the aperture and on the columella and has a special
internal structure. The right spiral of this type reflects the motion of the planets. It is also compared with the hair
whorls on the Buddha's head that spiral to the right. The long white curl between Buddha's eyebrows and the
conch-like swirl of his navel are also akin to this shankha.[4][6]

The Varaha Purana tells that bathing with the Dakshinavarta shankha frees one from sin. Skanda Purana
narrates that bathing Vishnu with this shankha grants freedom from sins of seven previous lives. A
Dakshinavarta shankha is considered to be a rare "jewel" or ratna and is adorned with great virtues. It is also
believed to grant longevity, fame and wealth proportional to its shine, whiteness and largeness. Even if such a
shankha has a defect, mounting it in gold is believed to restore the virtues of the shankha.[2]

Uses
In its earliest references, Shankha is mentioned as a trumpet and it is in this form that it became an emblem of
Vishnu. Simultaneously, it was used as a votive offering and as a charm to keep away the dangers of the sea. It
was the earliest known sound-producing agency as manifestation of sound, and the other elements came later,
hence it is regarded as the original of the elements. It is identified with the elements themselves.[7] [8]

As a trumpet or wind instrument, a hole is drilled near the tip of the apex of the shankha. When air is blown
through this hole, it travels through the whorls of the shankha, producing a loud, sharp, shrill sound. This sound
is the reason that the shankha was used as a war trumpet, to summon helpers and friends. Shanka continued to
be used in battles for a long time. The sound it produced was called shankanad.

Nowadays, the shankha is blown at the time of worship in Hindu temples and homes, especially in the ritual of
the Hindu arati, when light is offered to the deities. The shankha is also used to bathe images of deities,
especially Vishnu, and for ritual purification. No hole is drilled for these purposes, though the aperture is cut
clean or rarely the whorls are cut to represent five consecutive shells with five mouths.[9][10]

Shankha is used as a material for making bangles, bracelets and other objects.[9] Due to its aquatic origin and
resemblance to the vulva it has become an integral part of the Tantric rites. In view of this, its symbolism is also
said to represent female fertility. Since water itself is a fertility symbol, shankha, which is an aquatic product is
recognised as symbolic of female fertility. It is mentioned that in ancient Greece shells, along with pearls,
denoted sexual love and marriage, and also mother goddesses.[7]
Different magic and sorcery items are also closely connected with this trumpet. This type of device existed long
before the Buddhist era.

Ayurvedic medicine

Shankha is used in Ayurvedic medicinal formulations to treat many ailments. It is prepared as conch shell ash,
known in Sanskrit as Shankha bhasma. Shankha bhasma is prepared by soaking the shell in lime juice and
calcinating in covered crucibles, ten to twelve times, and finally reducing it to powder ash.[1] Shankha bhasma
contains calcium, iron and magnesium and is used to possess antacid and digestive properties.[11]

A compound pill called Shankavati is also prepared for use in dyspepsia. In this case, the procedure followed is
to mix Shankha bhasma with tamarind seed ash, five salts (panchlavana), asafoetida, ammonium chloride,
pepper, carui, caraway, ginger, long pepper, purified mercury and aconite in specified proportions. It is then
triturated in juices of lemon and made into a pill-mass.[1] It is prescribed for vata (wind/air) and pitta (bile)
ailments as well as for beauty and strength.[2]

Significance
Shankha's significance is traced to the nomadic times of the animists who used the sound emanating from this
unique shell to drive away evil demons of whom they were scared.[8] The same is still believed in Hinduism.[5]
Over centuries it got adopted as one of the divine symbols of Hinduism.[8]

The sound of the shankha symbolises the sacred Om sound. Vishnu holding the conch represents him as the god
of sound. Brahma Vaivarta Purana declares that shankha is the residence of both Lakshmi and Vishnu, bathing
by the waters led through a shankha is considered as like bathing with all holy waters at once. Sankha Sadma
Purana declares bathing an image of Vishnu with cow is as virtuous as performing a million yajnas (fire
sacrifices) or bathing Vishnu with Ganges river water frees one from the cycle of births. It further says "while
the mere sight of the conch (shankha) dispels all sins as the Sun dispels the fog, why talk of its worship?"[2]
Padma Purana asserts the same effect of bathing Vishnu by Ganges water and milk and further adds doing so
avoids evil, pouring water from a shankha on one's own head before a Vishnu image is equivalent to bathing in
the pious Ganges river.[9]

Even in Buddhism, the conch shell has been incorporated as one of the eight auspicious symbols, also called
Ashtamangala. The right-turning white conch shell (Tibetan: ; Wylie: dung gyas 'khyil),
represents the elegant, deep, melodious, inter-penetrating and pervasive sound of the Buddhadharma, which
awakens disciples from the deep slumber of ignorance and urges them to accomplish their own welfare and the
welfare of others.

Shankha was the Royal State Emblem of Travancore and also figured on the Royal Flag of the Jaffna Kingdom.
It is also the election symbol of the Indian political party Biju Janata Dal.
In Hindu iconography and art

Image of Matsya - the fish avatar of Vishnu, holding the shankha in his right lower hand. He kills a demon called
Shankhasura, who emerges from another shankha.

Shankha is one of the main attributes of Vishnu. Vishnu's images, either in sitting or standing posture, show him
holding the shankha usually in his left upper hand, while Sudarshana Chakra (chakra - discus), Gada (mace) and
Padma (lotus flower) decorate his upper right hand, the lower left and lower right hands, respectively.[12]

Avatars of Vishnu like Matsya, Kurma, Varaha and Narasimha are also depicted holding the shankha, along
with the other attributes of Vishnu. Krishna - avatar of Vishnu is described possessing a shankha called
Panchajanya. Regional Vishnu forms like Jagannath and Vithoba may be also pictured holding the shankha.
Besides Vishnu, other deities are also pictured holding the shankha. These include the sun god Surya, Indra -
the king of heaven and god of rain[13] the war god Murugan (Skanda),[14] the goddess Vaishnavi[15] and the
warrior goddess Durga.[16] In some iconographic representations of gods and goddesses in Hindu temples, the
subordinate figure of Vishnu is seen flanked to the main Vishnu image. This subordinate figure is called the
Shankha-purusha who is depicted holding a shankha in both the hands. Similarly, Gaja Lakshmi statues show
Lakshmi holding a shankha in the right hand and lotus on the other.[17]

Sometimes, the shankha of Vishnu is personified as ayudha-purusha ("weapon-man") in the sculpture and
depicted as a man standing beside Vishnu or his avatars.[18] Temple pillars, walls, gopuras (towers), basements
and elsewhere in the temple, sculpted depictions of the shankha and chakra - the emblems of Vishnu - are
seen.[19] The city of Puri also known as Shankha-kshetra is sometimes pictured as a shankha or conch in art with
the Jagannath temple at its centre.[16]

Shankha (right) and Shaligrama, with a tulsi leaf.

Shaligrama or Shalagrama stones are iconographic fossil stones, particularly found in Gandaki River in Nepal,
which are worshipped by Hindus as representative of Vishnu. Hence, a shaligrama - which has the marks of a
shanka, chakra, gada and padma arranged in this particular order – is worshipped as Keshava. Twenty four
orders of the four symbols defined for Shaligrama are also followed in worship of images of Vishnu with
different names. Out of these, besides Keshava the four names of images worshipped starting with Shankha on
the upper hand, are: Madhusudana, Damodara, Samkarshana and Upendra.[20][21]

In Hindu legend
A Hindu legend in Brahma Vaivarta Purana recalls the creation of conchs: god Shiva took a trident from Vishnu
and flung it towards the demons, burning them instantaneously. Their ashes flew in the sea creating conchs.[2]
Shankha is believed to be a brother of Lakshmi as both of them were born from the sea. A legend describes a
demon named Shankhasura (conch-demon), who was killed by Vishnu's fish avatar – Matsya.[22]

Krishna, as the charioteer of Arjuna resounds the Panchajanya at Kurukshetra, 18-19th century painting.

In the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata, the symbol of Shankha is widely adopted. In the Ramayana
epic, Lakshmana, Bharata and Shatrughna are considered as part-incarnations of Sheshanaga, Sudarshana
Chakra and Shankha, respectively, while Rama, their eldest brother, is considered as one of the ten avatars of
Vishnu.[23]

During the great Mahabharata war, Krishna, as the charioteer of the Pandava prince and a protagonist of the
epic - Arjuna - resounds the Panchajanya to declare war. Panchajanya in Sanskrit means 'having control over the
five classes of beings'.[10] All five Pandava brothers are described having their own shankhas. Yudhishtira,
Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva are described to possess shankhas named Ananta-Vijaya, Poundra-
Khadga, Devadatta, Sughosha and Mani-pushpaka, respectively.[2]

Association with Nāgas

Due to the association of the shankha with water, serpents (Nāga) are named after the shankha. The list of
Nāgas in the Mahabharata, Harivamsha and Bhagavat Purana includes names like Shankha, Mahashankha,
Shankhapala and Shankachuda. The last two are also mentioned in Buddhist stories of Jataka Tales and
Jimutavahana.[24] A legend narrates: while using Shankha as part of meditative ritual, a sadhu blew his shankha
in the forest of village Keoli and a snake crept out of it. The snake directed the sadhu that he should be
worshipped as Nāga Devata (Serpent god) and since then it has been known as Shanku Naga. Similar legends
are narrated at many other places in Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh.[25]