Shell- Trumpets and their Distribution. 53 



fact the bond of connexion between the moon and these 

 shells is the ancient association of both with women 

 which grew up in the Old World somewhere in the region 

 of the Red Sea. 



The remarkable identity 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 (see Frontispiece, jpz^'. 5) is one of the two 

 important symbols 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 ofthe 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 Varuna, on its back Frajapati, and on its 

 apex, the Ganges, the Sarasvati, 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 why we worship the sacred chank. Glory 

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

 sea, and formerly held by Vishnu in his hand. We adore 

 the sacred chailk and meditate upon it. May we be filled 

 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 places, as 



32 Jackson, "The Azlec Moon-cult and its relation to the Chank-cult 

 of India." Munch. Memoirs {Lit. and Phil. Soc), vol. 60, pt. ii., 191$. 

 3' One of the names of Krishna. 

 »*Hornell, "The Sacred Chank of India," 1914. 



