Mahashivratri 2025: In Vedic rituals in Sanatan Dharma, the conch is considered very auspicious and revered. It is considered a symbol of happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. Conch is considered to be the main weapon of Lord Vishnu and its sound is endowed with spiritual energy.

According to the scriptures, conch is believed to have originated from the bones of an asura named Shankhachud, due to which it is considered very sacred and auspicious. While Lord Vishnu is very fond of the conch and is pleased when water is offered from the conch, the use of the conch is forbidden in the worship of Lord Shiva. For this reason, neither conch water is offered to Mahadev nor conch is blown in his worship. There is a mythological story behind this belief, which is as follows.

According to Shivpuran, Daityaraja Dambh had no children. With the desire to have a child, he performed severe penance of Lord Vishnu. Pleased with his penance, Lord Vishnu asked him to ask for a boon. Dambh wished for a mighty son, which Vishnu Ji accepted by saying 'Tathastu'. Later, Dambh was blessed with a son, who was named Shankhachud.

When Shankhachud grew up, he performed severe penance in Pushkar to please Brahmaji. Pleased with his penance, Brahmaji asked him to ask for a boon. Shankhachud expressed his wish to become invincible to the gods. Brahmaji accepted his prayer and gave him Shri Krishna Kavach, wearing which he became invincible in all three worlds. Brahmaji also allowed him to marry Tulsi, the daughter of Dharmadhwaj. With his blessings, Shankhachud and Tulsi got married.

Due to Brahmaji's boon, Shankhachud became arrogant and established authority over all three worlds. Troubled by his atrocities, the gods appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. But Vishnuji himself had given him a boon, so they prayed to Lord Shiva to remove this crisis. Lord Shiva led the war to protect the gods, but even he was unable to defeat Shankhachud due to the Sri Krishna Kavach and Tulsi's devotion to her husband.

Origin of Shankh

To control the situation, Lord Vishnu took the form of a Brahmin and deceitfully took Shankhachud's Sri Krishna Kavach as a donation. After this, he took the form of Shankhachud and broke the pativrat dharma of his wife Tulsi. After the destruction of Sri Krishna Kavach and Tulsi's devotion to her husband was broken, Lord Shiva killed Shankhachud with his trident named Vijay. After his killing, the conch originated from his bones. This is why the conch is considered holy and auspicious, but offering water to Lord Shiva from a conch is forbidden.