Paanchajanyam

Paanchajanyam

Dear friends,
While trying to catch up with my pending mails, I read that wonderful post from Sree KVG on ‘weapons of Lord Vishnu’. I love stories and so do the young ones. Hence I address this specially to them.
Dry philosophy seldom appeals to the human mind. But in the Bhaagavatham, even the most abstruse philosophical truths are put across by means of stories and legends. This perhaps is the secret of its popularity among all age groups. The very fact that it is a Purana proclaiming loud the truth that it is not an esoteric text meant for a select few but a sacred scripture meant to bring within the reach of all including householders, the peace that passeth understanding makes it even more appealing.
Paanchajanyam?? The conch that Vishnu holds (Vishnunaa vidhruta: kare Paancha Janya namostute), we say in our daily pooja. But thereby hangs a tale!!
What started for Krishna as a task of fulfilling gurudakshina to his preceptor Sandipani, led him to the acquisition of a conch. Krishna’s and Balarama’s stay at Gurukula had come to an end. As was the custom the brothers asked guru Sandipani what they could do to please him: how best could they pay their Gurudakshina.
“Rama, Krishna, I need nothing. But since you insist, my wife and I may as well let you know a sad story which has lived with us ever since. Long time back we went to Prabhasa with our only son. There while bathing in the sea, our son got drowned and we lost him for ever. If you can bring him back to us alive that shall be the greatest service you can do for us. I am asking you to do a difficult thing. But we have been told about the many wonderful deeds you have performed in Vrindavan and so I have hopes of your being successful in the task that I am setting for you.”, said Guru Sandipani.
“Well. So be it. With Guru’s blessing what is not possible? Said Krishna and Rama.
Taking leave of the old couple they reached Prabhasa. They sat on the shores of the sea for a while. Seeing them the Lord of the oceans came to pay his respects to them.
Krishna said, “May you be good. But then if you really want to please us return to us the young boy whom your waves swallowed years back. The boy is the son of our guru Sandipani. We owe him a promise. We need to restore their son to the old couple. Please let us have the boy.”
“Krishna, my Lord, I am innocent. It is not I who took him. There dwells under the sea an asura by name Panchajana. He always assumes the form of a conch and it is he who stole the young son of your guru.” said the king of the ocean.
Krishna promptly leaped into the ocean and soon found the asura. He killed him and opened up his entrails but could not find the boy. Krishna found a conch which was formed out of the body of the dead asura. He took it for himself and from there he went to the city by name Samvani the favourite place of Yama the God of death. Krishna and Balarama entered the city together and standing at the portals of the city Krishna blew loudly on his conch which he called Paanchajanya—meaning born of Panchajana. Yama heard the note of the conch and rushed out to receive Rama and Krishna. After worshipping them he stood with folded palms and said, “What will I have to do to please the Lord of the lords?”
Krishna said” O king of the dead, please do me a favour. We have promised to restore to our guru their son who was drowned in the sea at Prabhasa long ago. This is the dakshina we have been asked to pay and I am sure with your help we can do it. Charmed by his gentle words and at the same time, his commanding voice Yama said,”But certainly my Lord”. Yama then asked his assistants to bring the son of Sandipani.
Krishna took him with them and came back to earth to meet guru Sandipani and his wife. The old man was speechless out of joy. After a while he gathered himself and said “I have been the most fortunate among all gurus and I am sure no one has had such a pleasing dakshina from his disciples as I have been given. With you both as my disciples I have been cured of all malefic which are led by desire. You are great heroes and go home laden with my blessings. Infinite will be the fame that will be yours”
Krishna and Balarama took leave of the old couple and of their companions at the Gurukul and came back to Mathura. Krishna of course had acquired his Paanchajanya the conch- the marine mollusk with a spiral shell----we reverently address and recite the mantra in our daily pooja as we sprinkle the holy water on the devotees.
“Shankhamadhye sthitham thoyam Braahmitam Kesavopari
Angalagnam Manushyaanaam Brahmahatyam vyapohati”

Warm rgds
V V R
26 November 2007