Saubhagya Dravya - सौभाग्य द्रव्य !

      Saubhagya Dravya (सौभाग्य द्रव्य) is Sanskrit/Hindi word. Saubhagya means "Good Luck" while Dravya means material. So Saubhagya Dravya literally means the materials that bring good luck. In Hindu worship, Saubhagya Dravya is in form of powder and they consist,

1. Aveer (अवीर)

2. Gulal (गुलाल)

3. Kumkum (कुंकुम)

4. Turmeric powder (हल्दी चूर्ण)

5. Vermilion (सिन्दूर)
6. Ashtagandh Chandana (अष्टगंध चन्दन)
    

Saubhagya Dravya in Puja ki Thal

        These things can be seen in the above picture where a "Puja Ki Thal" has some items used in worship. At the start of worship jal/gangajal is offered to Gods for giving a bath (Snanam) and then one by one item of "Soubhagya Dravya" is offered. Instead of applying these with the hand it is better to sprinkle these powders with the help of a flower. Generally, a small "Genda" flower is used for this purpose. The flower is held at its lower part and the petal area is touched to the powder and then with a light stroke by forefinger the powder is sprinkled over the Gods. With each sprinkle, a Mantra is spoken. Example:-

अबीरं  च  गुलालं  च  चोवा  चन्दनमेव च।

अबीरेणार्चितो देव!अतः शान्ति प्रयच्छ मे।।

(Abiram ch Gulalam ch chova chandanmev ch,

Abirenarchito dev ! Atah Shanti prayachh me)

And

सिन्दूरं शोभनं रक्तं सौभाग्यम सुखवर्धनं।

शुभदं  कामदं चैव  सिन्दूरं  प्रतिगृह्यतां।।

  

(Sindooram Shobhanam raktam Saubhagyam sukhvardhanam

Shubhdam   Kamdam   chaiv   sindooram   pratigrihytam) 

            As someone makes up his/her face with different items to look beautiful, in the same way, these items of "Soubhagya Dravya" give a beautiful look to Gods and they are pleased. When Gods are pleased, it is bound to bring good luck (Saubhagya) to the devotee.
              Mahadeva (Shiva) too likes these specially Aveer, Gulal, Kumkum, and Chandana. When performing worship on a Shivalinga people like to rub these with hand. This offering looks beautiful at Baba Basukinathdham Shivalinga where one can see a devotee coming out from "Garbh-Gruh" with his right-hand red up to the wrist due to Abeer and Gulal offerings. 
               Apart from worship, these things are part of Hindu culture. Whenever there is an occasion of happiness,  people apply it to one another's faces. Remember the victory procession of an elected public leader or "Idol immersion-मूर्ति विसर्जन" procession. Hindu New Year's day ie Holi is nothing without Abeer and Gulal. God Krishna's Holi with Gopees is well known and has its spiritual significance.             
            These Puja items are available everywhere in local markets. Most of the things are also available at online shop Amazon for which link is given below:-

1. Aveer (अवीर)

2. Gulal (गुलाल)

3. Kumkum (कुंकुम)

4. Turmeric powder (हल्दी चूर्ण)

5. Vermilion (सिन्दूर)
6. Ashtagandh Chandana (अष्टगंध चन्दन)

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Conch Shell,Shankh - शंख

Dakshinawarti Shankh/दक्षिणावर्ती शंख /Right Handed Conch Shell

            Conch shell-(शंख) has a special place in Sanatana Hindu worship. It is associated with Hindu culture from time unknown. Many Gods and Goddesses hold it in their hands but it is closely related to Vishnu and Lakshmi. There are descriptions about the emergence of "Shankh" (Conch shell) in "Puranas". One description is related to a demon king "Shankhasur" while other is to "Samudra Manthan" (Churning of Sea) by Gods and Demons. It is said that during "Samudra Manthan" many 'Ratna"(Precious Items) emerged from the sea. Goddess Lakshmi and Conch shell-(शंख) were two of them. So Goddess Lakshmi accepts "Shankh" as her brother. That is why respecting and worshiping it makes Goddess Lakshmi happy. Vishnu holds a Conch shell in one of his four hands.

                     There are mainly two types of Conch Shells on the basis of turnings. "Vamawarti" (Anti-clockwise) and "Dakshinawarti" (Clockwise).  

"Vamawarti Shankh" (Left-handed Conch-Shell)

Vamawarti Shankh/वामावर्ती शंख 

                  This type of Conch-Shell is used to blow for making a sound that resembles the holy sound of "Aum-ॐ". It is the sound that represents "Nada-Brahma". During the worship (Puja) and "Aarati" Conch-Shell is blown. In fact during the "Satyanarayan Puja," it is blown at the end of each chapter along with the charged slogan of "Bolo Satyanarayan Bhagawan ki Jai" (Hail the God Satyanarayana)  and hearing it the persons away from the place of worship make a hurry to reach there. After the worship, it is blown throughout the "Aarati" along with "Ghanta"(Bell).

                       In ancient times the Conch-Shells were blown at the beginning of a war. In "Sri-mad-Bhagwat-Geeta" there is a description of blowing of "Shankh" by Krishna, Pandavas and Kauravas at the start of the war. Each warrior had his personal "Shankha" with a proper name. The name of Krishna's "Shankh" was "Panchjanya" which he blew at the start of the war at Kurukshetra. This "Shankh" is also one of the four attributes of God Vishnu. 

                A "Vamawarti" (Left-handed or Anti-clockwise) Conch-shell infolds anti-clockwise from opening to its center. If it is kept on a surface with its opening upwards then the open end will be on the left of a viewer if seen from the head end. It means this type of "Shankh" can be held in left hand easily for use. 

                  "Shankh" used for blowing is prepared by making a hole at the center of its head end. To blow it this hole is pressed softly against the closed lips and the air is allowed to go between the lips into the hole with a vibration in the lips. The "Shankh" amplifies the vibration of the lips into "Aum" sound.
                "Shankh" is in fact shell of a snail-like creature found in the sea. It is harder and bigger than snails and is found in different shapes and sizes. A "Vamawarti" (Left-handed or Anti-clockwise) Conch-shell is the most common variety among all shapes and sizes. 
      Blowing "Shankh" is available online also at Amazon at this link. 

"Dakshinawarti Shankh" (Right-handed Conch-Shell)

Dakshinavarti Shankh

                  This type of Conch-Shell is rarely found and remains in much demand. It is not used to blow, only worshiped. Just like one faced "Rudraksha" which is worshiped as if it be Shiva Himself, similarly 'Right Handed Conch Shell' is worshiped as if it be Vishnu Himself. It is believed that keeping "Dakshinavarti Shankh" in the house near 'Puja Place' brings prosperity (Lakshmi). It is placed on a red cloth with its open end facing upward. Some people fill it with "Arva" rice. 
         Dakshinavarti Shankh is available online at Amazon at this link.
                   Conch-Shells are also used to pour holy water over God which is called "Abhishek". Such water has as much significance like "Gangajalam".
                     Conch-Shells are composed of mostly calcium carbonate and many types of items are made of it. One such item is "Shaankha-शांखा" which is a type of bangle. It is made by cutting Conch-Shell along cross-section and joining it to give a round shape. Such white bangles are worn by married women (Suhagins) in Bengal, Orrisa and Mithila. Shankha and Pola Bangles are also available online at Amazon. 

"Ganesha Shankh" (Ganesha shaped Conch-Shell)

Ganesha Shankh

                        Among the many varieties of Conch-Shells found in the sea, this one is also considered holy by Hindus. Used only for worshiping this "Shankh" looks like Ganesha with a trunk, crown and big belly. It has some thorny ridges. Since Ganesha is the first worshiped God (Pratham Pujya), this natural occurring 'Shankh' has a great significance. Worshiping or simply keeping it at 'Puja' place with honor keeps hurdles of life away. On Amazon, mostly metal Shankh (Show-pieces) are available at this link. Few Ganesha-Shankh is available at this link.


          Whatever be the type of "Shankh", it is important that it should be given good respect because Lakshmi accepts "Shankh" as a brother. Respecting it Lakshmi is pleased and showers her "Kripa" on the devotee otherwise She would be angry. Tapping of the hole with palm on a "Vamavarti Shankh" to clear the voice is taken as a disrespect and it should not be done. 

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