Sanskrit ṡaṅkhá (36)
Monier-Williams’ A Sanskrit-English Dictionary says Sanskrit word ṡaṅkhá means “a shell, especially the conch shell.” It also refers to “the temporal bone, temple (according to some also ‘the bone of the forehead’ or ‘frontal bone’), an elephant’s cheek or the part between the tusks, the name of the teeth of an elephant 23 years old, and Unguis odoratus.” It is linguistically related to Greek kóγχη (kónchi) and Latin concha, congius. However, it traces its origin to the Tamil root aṅku through the transformation of aṅku > ṡaṅkhá. The following words, related to Sanskrit ṡaṅkhá, also originate from Tamil aṅku.
ṡaṅkhá-karṇa, shell-eared, name of one of Ṡiva’s attendants. ṡaṅkhá-kāra or ṡaṅkhá-kāraka, a worker in shells, shell-cutter (described as a kind of mixed caste, according to some of ‘the adulterous offspring of Vaiṡya-parents whose mother is a widow’). ṡaṅkhá-kshīra, the milk of a shell, any impossibility or absurdity. ṡaṅkhá-cūrna, shell-powder, powder produced from shells. ṡaṅkhá-ja, shell-born, a large pearl shaped like a pigeon’s egg and said to be found in shells. ṡaṅkhá-daraka, a shell-cutter. ṡaṅkhá-drāva or ṡaṅkhá-drāvaka, a solvent for dissolving the conch or other shells (used in medicine). ṡaṅkhá-dhma, see ṡaṅkhá-drāva. ṡaṅkhá-dhvani, the sound of a conch or horn. ṡaṅkhá-nūpuriṇī, having shell-bracelets and anklets. ṡaṅkhá-pāṇi, holding a conch in the hand, name of Vishṇu. ṡaṅkhá-pātra, a vessel formed like a conch shell. ṡaṅkhá-pushpī, Canscora decussata. ṡaṅkhá-pravara, an excellent or the best shell. ṡaṅkhá-bhasman, the ashes of a burnt shell. ṡaṅkhá-bhṛit, conch-bearer, name of Vishṇu. ṡaṅkhá-muktā, mother of pearl, shells and pearls. ṡaṅkhá-mukha, shell-faced, an alligator; name of a serpent-demon. ṡaṅkhá-mauktika, shell-pearl, a kind of wheat (the husks of which resemble a shell and the grains a pearl). ṡaṅkhá-rāj, the best of shells. ṡaṅkhá-likhita, perfect in its kind, faultless, flawless; a king who practises justice, a just king. ṡaṅkhá-likhita-priya, beloved by Ṡaṅkha and Likhita, a friend of strict justice. ṡaṅkhá-likhita-smṛiti, the law-book of Ṡaṅkha and Likhita. ṡaṅkhá-vat, possessing or having a shell or shells. ṡaṅkhântara, the space between the temples, the forehead. ṡaṅkhântara-dyotin, shining in the forehead. ṡaṅkhâvarta, the convolution of a shell; a kind of fistula in the rectum. ṡaṅkhôdaka, the water poured from a conch shell. saṅkhaka, the conch-shell (also worn as a bracelet); the temporal bone, forehead; disease of the head (pain in the forehead with heat and puffiness of the temples). ṡaṅkhin, possessing a conch (as Vishṇu); bearing shells (as water); possessing the treasure called Ṡaṅkha; possessed by the demon Ṡaṅkha; the ocean; a worker in shells; name of Vishṇu. ṡāṅkha, relating to or made of a conch or any shell; the sound of a conch-shell. ṡāṅkhika, made from or relating to a conch-shell or to any shell, shelly; a shell-blower or player on the conch-shell; a shell-cutter, worker or dealer in shells (constituting a particular caste called Ṡāṅkhāri). ṡāṅkhya, made or prepared from shells; born in Ṡaṅkha.