Shankha ("conch
shell") - Along with the club (gada), lotus (padma), and discus, one of the
distinguishing items held by the Hindu deity Vishnu (chakra).
Vishnu's conch is both a musical instrument and a weapon,
since he is claimed to have terrorized his enemies with its loud sound.
Certain strong manifestations of the Goddess are also said
to carry a conch.
The explanation for this may be found in her founding story,
in which she is created from the combined brightness of all the gods and given
replicas of all their weapons.
