Shell-Tnivipcts and tJtcir Distribution. 53 



fact the bond of connexion between the nioon and these 

 shells is the ancient association of both with women 

 which grew up in the Old World somewhere in the reijion 

 of the Red Sea. 



The remarkable idcntit}' in the Hindu and Mexican 

 use of shell-trumpets in temple worship and harvest rites, 

 and the association of the conch-shell with the God of the 

 Moon, has been pointed out in a previous article."- 



The Chank f^see Frontispiece, /vi,''. 5) i'^ one of the two 

 important s\-mbols associated by Hindus with Vishnu 

 and his many avatars or incarnations. Siva, also, is 

 sometimes represented holding the chank. Such an 

 association is of peculiar interest when one considers the 

 worship of the chank in the daily liturgy of the Brahmans. 

 Taking the shell in his hand, the Brahman recites the 

 following prayer : — 



"At the mouth of this shell is the God of the Moon, 

 on its sides is Yaruna, on its back Prajapati, and on its 

 apex, the Ganges, the Saras vati, and all the other sacred 

 rivers of the three worlds in which they make ablutions 

 according to the command of Vasudeva.''- In this chank 

 is the chief of the Brahmans ( Brahmendra or Brahmana- 

 spati). This is wh\' we worship the sacred chank. Glory 

 to thee, sacred shell, blessed by all the gods, born in the 

 sea, and formerly held b\- X'ishnn in liis hand. We adore 

 the sacred chank and meditate upon it. May we be filletl 

 with joy ! 



" I offer (to the chank) everything needful for wor- 

 ship — perfumes, rice and flowers. '•'' 



In India the moon is believed to preside over the 

 growth of crops and produce, and in certain place.s, as 



■■'-' Jackson, "The .A/.lec .Moon-cult and its relation to llie Chank-cult 

 of India." Manch. Memoirs (Lit. and /'hi/. Soc), vol. 6o, pt. ii., 1910. 

 •'* One of the names of Kri.slina. 

 ■•'* Ilornell, "Tlie .Sacred Chank of In(Ha,'' kju- 



