Bilvashtakam - 3

The Shloka

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शालिग्राम शिलामेकां विप्राणां जातु चार्पयेत्

सोमयज्ञ महापुण्यं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥

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Shāligrāma śilāmekāṁ viprāṇāṁ jātu cārpāyet Somayajña mahāpuṇyaṁ eka bilvaṁ śivārpaṇam ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka emphasizes the profound spiritual power and ease of devotion through the simple act of offering a Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. It highlights that the merit gained from such a seemingly small act of pure devotion is comparable to, or even surpasses, the merit from grand and complex rituals like the Soma Yajna or significant charitable acts like donating a sacred Shaligram stone. It underscores that sincere devotion (Bhakti) with a simple offering is highly efficacious and accessible to all, providing immense spiritual benefits.

Even offering a single Shaligram stone to Brahmins, or the great merit derived from a Soma sacrifice, is equivalent to offering just one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

The shloka states that the immense spiritual merit obtained from performing a grand Soma sacrifice or donating a sacred Shaligram stone to Brahmins is equivalent to the merit one accrues by simply offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. It extols the profound spiritual efficacy of worshipping Shiva with a Bilva leaf.

The verse begins by presenting two acts considered highly meritorious in Hindu tradition: the donation of a Shaligram stone to Brahmins and the performance of a Soma sacrifice. A Shaligram stone is a sacred representation of Lord Vishnu, and its donation to learned Brahmins is regarded as an act of great piety, bringing immense blessings. Similarly, a Soma Yajna is an elaborate and costly Vedic ritual performed to invoke deities and gain great spiritual merit and prosperity. These two acts represent pinnacles of religious observance and charity, promising vast spiritual rewards. The shloka then draws a powerful equivalence: the spiritual benefits accruing from these grand and difficult acts are equated to the simple, yet profound, act of offering just one Bilva (Bael) leaf to Lord Shiva. This comparison elevates the significance of the Bilva leaf offering in Shiva worship, suggesting that sincere devotion expressed through this simple act can yield spiritual rewards comparable to, or even greater than, very complex and expensive rituals. It underscores the accessibility of spiritual merit through devotion to Shiva, implying that sincerity and the sacredness of the offering, rather than its material value or complexity, are paramount.

Sentence - 1

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शालिग्राम शिलामेकां विप्राणां जातु चार्पयेत् सोमयज्ञ महापुण्यं

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Meaning

Even if one offers a single Shaligram stone to Brahmins, or if it is the great merit obtained from a Soma sacrifice, this is comparable to…

Meaning of Words

शालिग्राम	Shāligrāma
Shaligram A sacred stone, typically black in color, found in the Gandaki River in Nepal. It is worshipped as a non-anthropomorphic representation of Lord Vishnu.
शिलामेकां	śilāmekāṁ
one stone Composed of ‘shila’ (stone/rock) and ‘ekam’ (one). Refers to a single sacred stone.
विप्राणां	viprāṇāṁ
to Brahmins To the Brahmins, who are members of the priestly class in Hinduism, traditionally associated with learning, teaching, and performing rituals.
जातु चार्पयेत्	jātu cārpāyet
ever, at any time, certainly, and offers Composed of ‘jātu’ (ever, at any time, certainly) and ‘cha arpayet’ (‘cha’ means ‘and’, ‘arpayet’ means ‘should offer’ or ‘one offers’). It implies that whenever one offers.
सोमयज्ञ	somayajña
Soma sacrifice A complex and highly significant Vedic ritual involving the offering of Soma, a sacred drink. It is considered one of the most powerful and meritorious sacrifices in Vedic tradition.
महापुण्यं	mahāpuṇyaṁ
great merit Composed of ‘mahā’ (great) and ‘puṇyam’ (merit, virtue, righteousness). Refers to the immense spiritual benefit or good karma accrued from performing a highly virtuous act.

Sentence - 2

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एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम्

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Meaning

…offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

Meaning of Words

एक	eka
The numeral one, emphasizing the singular nature and yet immense power of the offering.
बिल्वं	bilvaṁ
Bilva leaf The leaf of the Bilva tree (Aegle marmelos), also known as the Bael tree. These leaves are highly sacred to Lord Shiva and are an essential offering in His worship.
शिवार्पणम्	śivārpaṇam
offered to Shiva Composed of ‘Shiva’ (Lord Shiva, one of the primary deities of Hinduism) and ‘arpaṇam’ (offering, dedication). It signifies an offering made specifically to Lord Shiva.

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