Hymn in Praise of the Sacred Bilva Leaf
Bilwashtakam is a beautiful Sanskrit hymn consisting of eight verses in praise of the Bilva (Bael) leaf, which is extremely dear to Lord Shiva. The stotram glorifies the importance and divine power of offering bilva leaves to Lord Shiva.
The bilva tree is considered sacred in Hindu tradition, and its trifoliate leaves represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva, the trinity of Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh, and the three gunas (qualities). Offering bilva leaves is believed to be one of the most sacred offerings to Lord Shiva.
Sacred verses praising the divine bilva leaf
1
त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम् ।
त्रिजन्मपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 1॥
2
त्रिशाखैर्बिल्वपत्रैश्च ह्यच्छिद्रैः कोमलैः शुभैः ।
शिवपूजां करिष्यामि ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 2॥
3
अखण्डबिल्वपत्रेण पूजिते नन्दिकेश्वरे ।
शुद्ध्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्यो ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 3॥
4
शालिग्रामशिलामेकां विप्राणां जातु चार्पयेत् ।
सोमयज्ञमहापुण्यं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 4॥
5
दन्तिकोटिसहस्राणि वाजपेयशतानि च ।
कोटिकन्यामहादानं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 5॥
6
लक्ष्म्यास्तनुत उत्पन्नं महादेवस्य च प्रियम् ।
बिल्ववृक्षं प्रयच्छामि ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 6॥
7
दर्शनं बिल्ववृक्षस्य स्पर्शनं पापनाशनम् ।
अघोरपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 7॥
8
मूलतो ब्रह्मरूपाय मध्यतो विष्णुरूपिणे ।
अग्रतः शिवरूपाय ह्येकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ 8॥
॥ फलश्रुति ॥
9
बिल्वाष्टकमिदं पुण्यं यः पठेच्छिवसन्निधौ ।
सर्वपापविनिर्मुक्तः शिवलोकमवाप्नुयात् ॥ 9॥
Experience the divine recitation of Bilwashtakam
• Click the play button to listen to the divine Bilwashtakam
• Use the progress bar to skip to any part of the audio
• Adjust volume using the volume control on the right
• Listen during your daily prayers or meditation
• Recite along while offering bilva leaves to Lord Shiva
Represents Trinity and three eyes of Shiva
Most beloved offering to Lord Shiva
Has numerous Ayurvedic healing properties
Destroys sins of past births
Receives grace of Lord Shiva
Attracts abundance and success
Promotes physical and mental wellbeing
Brings peace and happiness at home
Advances on the path of liberation
1.Pluck fresh bilva leaves early in the morning after bath
2.Use leaves with three leaflets (trifoliate) - never broken or damaged
3.Wash the leaves with clean water
4.Hold the leaf stalk between your fingers with leaflets facing upward
5.Recite "Om Namah Shivaya" or Bilwashtakam while offering
6.Place gently on the Shiva Linga
Most auspicious day
13th day of lunar fortnight
Daily offering recommended
Grand celebration day
• Fresh bilva leaves available at the temple counter
• Bilva tree present in temple premises for direct plucking
• Bilwashtakam recited during morning and evening aarti
• Text booklets available in Sanskrit, Hindi, and English
• Never offer broken, dried, or damaged bilva leaves