Conch of Bhagavan Sri Krishna is known as Panchajanya. It
symbolically represents five elements – Prithvi, Tej, Vayu, Akasha and Jala. As
per Vishnu Purana, conch of Sri Krishna represents Tamas caused by Bhutas and
Indriyas.
Mahabharat states that Sri Krishna blew his Panchajanya
conch before the start of the Kurukshetra war in the Mahabharat. The tremendous
sound of Panhajanya reverberating through heaven and earth pierced the hearts
of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
One belief is that Panchajanya Shankh first appeared during
the Samudra Manthana or churning of ocean by devas and asuras to obtain Amrita,
elixir of life.
As per Devi Bhagavata, the conches were product of the bones
of demon Shankhachuda killed by Shiva. Lord Vishnu gave the demon the boon that
conch will be part of his worship.
As per Bhagavad Purana, there lived a demon named Panchajana
in the ocean in the form of a conch. He kidnapped and killed the son of
Sandipani, Guru of Sri Krishna. As Guru Dakshina, Sri Krishna annihilated the
demon and brought the conch made out of his body.