Arati paraphernalia

Why Blow Conch shell during Arati?

A conch (shankh) should be blown, when beginning any ritualistic worship and prior to the Arati. By blowing the conch 3 times before beginning any ritualistic worship, movement of negative energies in the environment is reduced. This helps in reducing the obstacle of distressing vibrations and allows the flow of Sattva predominant frequencies of the Deities. This further creates a protective sheath or an armour of Chaitanya around the various items used in the ritualistic worship.

Any ritualistic worship is concluded by performing the Arati. During Arati, the frequencies of the principles of Deities functional in the universe are attracted to the venue of the worship in large numbers. The Raja-Tama frequencies can create obstacles to the flow of these frequencies. By blowing the conch, the Raja-Tama frequencies disintegrate; that is why it is blown prior to an Arati. This purifies the environment and helps in preserving the Divine consciousness generated through the ritualistic worship for a longer period. Thus we derive maximum benefit from the Sattva predominant frequencies of Deities attracted to the venue of the Arati.

When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an auspicious sound that was chanted by the Lord before creating the world. It represents the world and the Truth behind it. As the story goes, the demon Shankhaasura defeated devas, the Vedas and went to the bottom of the ocean.

The devas appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as Matsya Avataara – the “fish incarnation” and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head. The Om sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas.

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