Bilvashtakam - 2

The Shloka

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अखण्ड बिल्व पात्रेण पूजिते नन्दिकेश्र्वरे

शुद्ध्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्यो एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥

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Akhaṇḍa bilva pātreṇa pūjite nandikeśvare śuddhyanti sarvapāpebhyo eka bilvaṁ śivārpaṇam.

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Meaning / Summary

The significance of this shloka lies in highlighting the profound spiritual power attributed to the Bilva leaf (Aegle marmelos) in Hindu worship, particularly to Lord Shiva. It underscores the belief that even a simple, sincere act of devotion, like offering a single, unbroken Bilva leaf, can absolve an individual of all past misdeeds and sins. The mention of Nandikeshvara, Shiva’s foremost devotee and gatekeeper, emphasizes that devotion directed towards Shiva’s attendants is also pleasing to Shiva himself. This verse encourages devotees to engage in such acts of worship, assuring them of purification and spiritual growth through sincere offerings to the divine.

By worshipping Nandikeshvara with an unbroken Bilva leaf, one is purified from all sins; indeed, just one Bilva leaf offered to Shiva is enough.

This verse states that worshipping Nandikeshvara with an unbroken Bilva leaf purifies one from all sins, and simply offering one Bilva leaf to Shiva yields this profound spiritual benefit.

This verse emphasizes the immense spiritual merit gained by offering a Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. Specifically, it mentions worshipping Nandikeshvara, Shiva’s divine bull and chief of His ganas (attendants). The term ‘akhaṇḍa bilva pātreṇa’ signifies the offering of a whole, undamaged Bilva leaf, which is considered auspicious. The core message is that such a simple yet sincere act of devotion – offering even just one Bilva leaf to Shiva or His chief attendant Nandikeshvara – has the power to cleanse a devotee of all accumulated sins, leading to purification and spiritual liberation. It highlights the profound efficacy of devotional acts, especially those involving sacred items like the Bilva leaf, which is highly revered in Shiva worship.

Sentence - 1

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अखण्ड बिल्व पात्रेण पूजिते नन्दिकेश्र्वरे

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Meaning

By worshipping Nandikeshvara with an unbroken Bilva leaf,

Meaning of Words

अखण्ड	akhaṇḍa
unbroken Meaning whole, complete, or not fragmented. In the context of offerings, it signifies an unblemished, perfect leaf, which is considered more auspicious for worship.
बिल्व	bilva
Bilva (leaf) Refers to the leaf of the Bilva tree (Aegle marmelos), also known as the Bael tree. These leaves, typically trifoliate (having three leaflets), are considered sacred to Lord Shiva and are a primary offering in His worship.
पात्रेण	pātreṇa
with a leaf Literally ‘with a vessel’ or ‘by means of a leaf’. Here, it specifically refers to the Bilva leaf as the medium of offering.
पूजिते	pūjite
worshipped Refers to the act of performing puja or worship, showing reverence and devotion through rituals and offerings.
नन्दिकेश्र्वरे	nandikeśvare
to Nandikeshvara Nandikeshvara is a divine being, often identified with Nandi, the sacred bull vahana (mount) of Lord Shiva and the chief of His ganas (attendants). Worshipping Nandikeshvara is considered equivalent to worshipping Lord Shiva Himself, as Nandi is Shiva’s closest devotee and gatekeeper.

Sentence - 2

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शुद्ध्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्यो

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Meaning

they are purified from all sins;

Meaning of Words

शुद्ध्यन्ति	śuddhyanti
they become pure Means to be cleansed, purified, or absolved. It implies a removal of impurities, particularly spiritual ones like sins or negative karmas.
सर्व	sarva
all Signifies completeness or totality; meaning every single one.
पापेभ्यो	pāpebhyo
from sins From ‘pāpa,’ meaning sin, wrongdoing, or negative karma. The suffix ‘-ebhyo’ indicates ‘from’ or ‘out of’.

Sentence - 3

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एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम्

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Meaning

just one Bilva leaf offered to Shiva.

Meaning of Words

एक	eka
Refers to the numeral one, emphasizing the singular nature and sufficiency of the offering.
बिल्वं	bilvaṁ
Bilva leaf Refers to the leaf of the Bilva tree, used as a sacred offering to Lord Shiva.
शिवार्पणम्	śivārpaṇam
offered to Shiva A compound word formed from ‘Shiva’ (Lord Shiva) and ‘arpaṇam’ (offering, dedication). It means an offering or dedication made to Lord Shiva.

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