Bilvashtakam - 1

The Shloka

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त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम्

त्रिजन्मपाप संहारं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥

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Tridalaṁ triguṇākāraṁ trinētraṁ ca triyāyudham trijanmapāpa saṁhāraṁ ēka bilvaṁ śivārpaṇam ॥

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Meaning / Summary

The significance of this shloka lies in highlighting the profound spiritual potency of the Bilva leaf in Shiva worship. It elevates the simple act of offering a Bilva leaf to a highly symbolic ritual, implying that it encompasses the essence of creation (three Gunas) and the divine attributes of Shiva (three eyes, three weapons). The promise of destroying sins from three births underscores the concept of liberation from karmic cycles through sincere devotion, making the Bilva offering a powerful means of purification and attaining spiritual merit. It teaches that even a small, dedicated act of devotion can yield immense spiritual benefits.

The Bilva leaf, with its three leaves, embodies the three cosmic qualities (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas); it is akin to Shiva, who has three eyes and wields three weapons. A single Bilva leaf, capable of destroying the sins accumulated over three lifetimes, is offered to Lord Shiva.

This shloka extols the sacred Bilva leaf, comparing its three leaflets to the three Gunas and identifying it with Lord Shiva’s three eyes and three weapons. It states that offering even a single Bilva leaf to Shiva has the immense power to destroy all sins accumulated over three lifetimes.

This verse from the Bilvashtakam beautifully describes the profound symbolism and spiritual efficacy of offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. The three leaves of the Bilva are equated with the three fundamental Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas) that constitute all of creation, indicating that the offering represents a complete surrender of one’s material existence. Furthermore, the leaf is seen as embodying Shiva himself, referencing his iconic three eyes (representing knowledge, past-present-future, and the sun, moon, and fire) and his trident (Trishula), which symbolizes his power over creation, preservation, and destruction, or the control over the three states of consciousness. The most significant aspect highlighted is the immense power of a simple Bilva offering: it is believed to cleanse and eradicate the accumulated sins not just from the current life, but also from past and future births, thereby liberating the devotee from the cycle of karma. This emphasizes the supreme purifying and redemptive power of devotion to Shiva through this specific offering.

Sentence - 1

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त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम्

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Meaning

The three-leafed (Bilva leaf), of the form of the three Gunas, is like Shiva who has three eyes and wields three weapons.

Meaning of Words

त्रिदलं	tridalaṁ
Three-leafed. Refers to the Bilva leaf (Aegle marmelos), which naturally grows with three leaflets joined at a single stem, symbolizing various triads, especially its divine connection to Lord Shiva.
त्रिगुणाकारं	triguṇākāraṁ
Of the form of the three Gunas. Symbolizes the three fundamental qualities or cosmic energies (Gunas) of nature in Hindu philosophy: Sattva (purity, goodness), Rajas (activity, passion), and Tamas (inertia, darkness). The three leaves represent these three Gunas, indicating that the offering encompasses the entire material existence.
त्रिनेत्रं	trinētraṁ
Three-eyed. A direct reference to Lord Shiva, who is famously depicted with a third eye (the eye of wisdom or knowledge) in addition to his two physical eyes. This third eye represents his extraordinary insight, his power to see beyond the ordinary, and his destructive aspect when invoked.
च	ca	And
त्रियायुधम्	triyāyudham
Having three weapons. Primarily refers to Lord Shiva’s Trishula (trident), which has three prongs. These prongs are often interpreted to symbolize creation, preservation, and destruction, or the three aspects of time (past, present, future), or the three fundamental powers (Shaktis) of Ishvara: Ichha (will), Jnana (knowledge), and Kriya (action).

Sentence - 2

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त्रिजन्मपाप संहारं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥

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Meaning

That which destroys the sins accumulated over three births – such a single Bilva leaf is offered to Shiva.

Meaning of Words

त्रिजन्मपाप	trijanmapāpa
Sins of three births. Refers to the accumulated negative karma or impurities from past lives, the present life, and karmic imprints that might influence future lives. It implies a comprehensive cleansing of one’s karmic burden.
संहारं	saṁhāraṁ
Destruction, destroyer. Signifies the act of obliterating, annihilating, or completely removing. In this context, it means the offering of the Bilva leaf has the power to nullify or remove deep-seated sins.
एक	ēka	One, single
बिल्वं	bilvaṁ
Bilva leaf. The sacred leaf of the Bilva tree (Aegle marmelos), which is highly revered in Shaivism. Its offering is considered supremely auspicious and potent in worship of Lord Shiva.
शिवार्पणम्	śivārpaṇam
Offered to Shiva, dedication to Shiva. The act of dedicating or submitting something, in this case, the Bilva leaf, to Lord Shiva as an act of devotion, surrender, and spiritual offering.

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