Panchajanya

Iconography of the Panchajanya on a temple wall

Panchajanya (Sanskrit: पाञ्चजन्य, IAST: Pāñcajanya) is the shankha (conch) of the Hindu preserver deity Vishnu, one of his four primary attributes.[1] The Panchajanya symbolises the five elements,[2] and is considered to produce the primeval sound of creation when blown.[3]

  1. ^ Dalal, Roshen (2010). Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide. Penguin Books India. p. 460. ISBN 978-0-14-341421-6.
  2. ^ Varadpande, Manohar Laxman (2009). Mythology of Vishnu and His Incarnations. Gyan Publishing House. p. 19. ISBN 978-81-212-1016-4.
  3. ^ Chandra, Suresh (1998). Encyclopaedia of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Sarup & Sons. p. 363. ISBN 978-81-7625-039-9.