( The D in the beginning amd middle of this name is pronounced like 'th' in 'brother'. The TH's are pronounced like 'th' in 'with'.)
Devadaththam was the name of the conch used by Arjuna in Mahaabhaaratham.
A conch was basically a shell of a sea creature. Ornamentation was done to make them look attractive.The user would blow air into it with his mouth to generate a continuous sound.
Warriors used conches in wars mainly for their identification.
They were blown to effect communication too. The various sounds given by blowing conches in different styles indicate different communiques to the soldiers and their leaders.
Famous people used special conches with special names as a symbol of prestige. The conch used by Arjuna was called Devadaththam. That was gifted to him by the gods when he destroyed a strong group of demons who were a formidable threat to the gods. Hence the name Devadaththam ( given by gods). It was described that its thunderous sound shook the enemies and demoralised them thoroughly.
The names of some conches mentioned in Mahaabhaaratham and their users were as following.
It is notable that the names of conches of Kourava side warriors were not mentioned at all ( even those of the great ones like Bheeshma and Drona ). That added strength to the arguments of some people that Vyaasa was biased in favour of the Paandavas. But it is little sound to say so since he gave the details of flaws of the Paandavas in clear words.
Name of the Conch Name of the user Paanchajanyam Krishna Devadaththam Arjuna Ananthavijayam Yudhishthira Poundram Bheema Sughosham Nakula Manipushpakam Sahadeva "After praying to Naaraayana, Nara, Sarasvathi and Vyaasa, then one should read the Jayam."
DEDICATED TO MY DEAR NIECE VYSHNAVI KRISHNA