Long ago, after Shri Krishna and his brother Balarama had defeated the evil king Kamsa at Mathura, they reunited with their biological parents, Devaki and Vasudeva. Soon after, their father Vasudeva arranged for them to study under the great sage Rishi Sandeepani, who lived in Avanti near Ujjain.
Rishi Sandeepani was delighted to teach Krishna and Balarama. He imparted to them the Vedas and Shastras, the art of warfare, the 64 skills every Kshatriya must learn, and the lessons of statecraft and governance. The brothers were diligent students, quickly mastering all their lessons and bringing joy to their guru.
When the time came to offer their Guru Dakshina (a respectful fee to the teacher), the sage initially refused, saying he was content with their progress. But Krishna and Balarama insisted on giving something worthy.
After consulting his wife, who lovingly cared for the boys like her own children, the sage hesitated but finally set a challenging task. He told them about a tragic event. During an earlier pilgrimage to Prabhasa Kshetra (modern day Somnath), his son had drowned in the sea, and despite every effort, his body was never found. The sorrow of this loss had weighed heavily on him and his wife.
Hearing this, Krishna and Balarama vowed to bring the boy back to life as their Guru Dakshina.
They journeyed to the shores of Prabhasa in their chariots, sitting quietly by the sea. The God of the Sea, Varuna Deva, appeared, greeting them with respect and humility.
Krishna spoke with a calm but commanding voice,
“Varuna, we know you are the guardian of these waters, yet it is said that your waves swallowed our Guru’s son. We request you to return him to us, fulfilling our promise.”
Varuna bowed and replied, “O Krishna and Balarama, it is not my waves that swallowed your Guru’s son, but an asura named Panchajana who resides in the depths. He takes the form of a giant conch shell and attacks those who venture near. It is he who has taken the boy.”
Without hesitation, Krishna plunged into the deep sea. Swimming swiftly, he reached the ocean floor where Panchajana lay asleep. Suddenly awakened by Krishna’s presence, the asura transformed and attacked. A fierce battle ensued beneath the waves.
With unmatched strength and skill, Krishna defeated Panchajana. Upon Panchajana’s death, his body turned into a magnificent conch shell. Krishna took this conch as his own and named it Panchajanya, meaning “born of Panchajana.”
Krishna and Balarama ascended from the depths with the conch. Krishna blew it resoundingly at the gates of Yama’s kingdom (the realm of the dead). Hearing the mighty sound, Yama himself appeared with respect.
Krishna explained his mission to Yama, who was deeply impressed by the Lord’s determination and integrity. With Yama’s help, the boy was restored to life and returned to the joyful arms of Rishi Sandeepani and his wife.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, the sage embraced Krishna and Balarama, praising them, “I am the happiest of gurus, blessed to receive such a Guru Dakshina from you both. May your fame and glory spread far and wide!”
Thus, the divine conch Panchajanya became one of Krishna’s celestial weapons, renowned for its powerful and auspicious sound, symbolizing victory, protection, and divine presence.
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