The Antiquities of Orissa v1.c10.320.3

v1.c10.320.3

What is the use of bathing in the Ganges for him, who, turning a *śaṅkha* filled with water before Keśava, pours the water on his own head? He, who offers to Vaiṣṇavas, in a *śaṅkha*, water mixed with sesamum and *tulasī* leaves with which the feet of Hari have been washed, acquires the merit of performing a *cāndrāyaṇa* ceremony.”¹⁶⁰ The *Brahma-Vaivarta Purāṇa* says, “Water in a *śaṅkha* is most gratifying to the [115] gods, and is as holy as the waters of sacred pools, except to Śambhu. The goddess of fortune remains fixed in those places where the music of the *śaṅkha* resounds. He is bathed in the waters of all the sacred pools, who bathes in water from a *śaṅkha*. Hari abides in the *śaṅkha*; wherever there is a *śaṅkha* there is Hari. There also abides Lakṣmī, and evil of every kind flies away from it".¹⁶¹ The fabricators of bracelets make no distinction of these three varieties and use them promiscuously for their work. In the *Detailed List of Articles contributed by Bengal to the Vienna Universal Exhibition of 1873* (p. 89), Mr. Locke, of the Calcutta School of Art, has the following interesting note on the subject: "The Śāṅkhārīs, or shell workers at Dacca, distinguish the several shells and their various qualities by the names *Titkuri*, *Pati*, *Lālpati*, *Alabela*, *Dhala*, *Kulai*, and *Śurti*; the *Titkuri* (that is, those imported from Tuticorin) 'being the best in quality of grain, lustre, and suitability for fine cutting and delicate finish.