What is Panchajanya? Why was it called like that? “Panchajanya” is a sacred conch shell mentioned in Hindu mythology and scriptures, particularly in the epic Mahabharata. It is a significant symbol associated with Lord Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism and a central character in the Mahabharata.
In the Mahabharata, Panchajanya is the divine conch shell that belonged to Lord Krishna. It was used by Krishna during the Kurukshetra war, a great war that is a central event in the Mahabharata.
The name “Panchajanya” is derived from the Sanskrit words “pancha,” meaning five, and “janya,” meaning generated or born. The name is often interpreted to mean “born of five elements” or “produced by the five elements.”
In Hindu cosmology and philosophy, the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether—are fundamental constituents of the universe. The conch shell, being a natural object, is believed to embody these five elements. The name “Panchajanya” thus signifies the conch’s association with the five elements that make up the universe.
The conch shell holds great symbolic and religious significance in Hinduism. It is often used in rituals, ceremonies, and religious practices to invoke auspiciousness and divine blessings. The blowing of the conch is also a symbol of victory and the triumph of good over evil.
