Elements of Hindu Iconography v1.c8.7

v1.c8.7

*Śaṅkha* is the ordinary chank shell which is almost always found in one of the hands of the images of Viṣṇu. The *śaṅkha* of Viṣṇu is known by the name of Pāñchajanya, being supposed to have been derived from the body of the *asura* named Pāñchajana. It is declared to have been employed by Viṣṇu in war; by the blowing of this powerful conch-shell, he often struck terror into the hearts of his enemies. The conch represented in sculptures is either a plain conch, held in the hand with all the five fingers by its open end (Pl. I, fig. 1), or an ornamented one, having its head or spiral-top covered with a decorative metal cap, surmounted by the head of a mythical lion, and having a cloth tied round it so that portions of it may hang on either side (Pl. I, fig. 2). There are also tassels of pearls hanging on the sides. Curiously enough a *śaṅkha* of this description is shown so as to be held between the first two fingers, which is indeed a difficult task to perform. In a few instances, attached to the lower end of the *śaṅkha*, there is a thick jewelled ribbon which is made to serve as a handle. (Pl. I, fig. 3). Sometimes this ornamental variety of *śaṅkha* is shown with *jvālās* or flames of fire on the top and the sides.