Broken Water Conch
Sadhana · asked by user [] · 2007-08-15 · 6 answers
Does anyone know for certain what we do with broken altar paraphernalia? I have a water conch that is cracked and chipped.
user [72] · 2007-08-15
Usually you can throw it to some sacred river but if you are not in India maybe the ocean would work... but any proof for that, sorry...user [38] · 2007-08-16
Yes, the ocean is a tirtha. Sometimes (like in SB 10.90.23) its called a husband of holy rivers."All heinous sins like the brahmana slaughter, done knowingly or unknowingly, are purified by releasing a bull [Vrsotsarga or Vrsa-yajna, on 11th day after death] or by swimming in the ocean." (Garuda Purana 2.6.13)
Corroborated by CC 2.11.112p.
user [33] · 2007-08-16
Thanks for the responses. I am not near the ocean nor a holy river. There is only a man-made lake here.user [2] · 2007-08-17
bury it is the next option, isnt?user [33] · 2007-08-17
That is what I was thinking also.user [181] · 2007-10-05
Conch-shells are one of the most sacred things vaishnavas possess. Damaged ones are not to be blown. I had one such Panchajanya. I gave that a good shape by grinding and had a picture of Gour Nitai on that which I worship.Neelima Ghosh