Full Shloka¶
The Shloka¶
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त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम्
त्रिजन्मपाप संहारं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
अखण्ड बिल्व पात्रेण पूजिते नन्दिकेश्र्वरे
शुद्ध्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्यो एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
शालिग्राम शिलामेकां विप्राणां जातु चार्पयेत्
सोमयज्ञ महापुण्यं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
दन्तिकोटि सहस्राणि वाजपेय शतानि च
कोटि कन्या महादानं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
लक्ष्म्या स्तनुत उत्पन्नं महादेवस्य च प्रियम्
बिल्ववृक्षं प्रयच्छामि एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
दर्शनं बिल्ववृक्षस्य स्पर्शनं पापनाशनम्
अघोरपापसंहारं एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
काशीक्षेत्र निवासं च कालभैरव दर्शनम्
प्रयागमाधवं दृष्ट्वा एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
मूलतो ब्रह्मरूपाय मध्यतो विष्णुरूपिणे
अग्रतः शिवरूपाय एक बिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥
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Meaning / Summary¶
The Bilvashtakam holds profound spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva. The Bilva leaf is considered exceptionally sacred and dear to Lord Shiva, often believed to represent His three eyes, the three aspects of the Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, Maheshwara), or His Trishul (trident). Reciting this hymn while offering Bilva leaves is believed to purify the soul, grant liberation from the cycle of birth and death (moksha), fulfill righteous desires, and bestow immense spiritual merit. It emphasizes that simple, heartfelt devotion, symbolized by the offering of a humble Bilva leaf, is more potent than elaborate rituals or material sacrifices. It highlights Shiva’s nature as the supreme deity who can be pleased by pure devotion and underscores the profound power attributed to the Bilva leaf in Shiva worship, symbolizing purity, devotion, and auspiciousness.
The Bilvashtakam is a revered devotional hymn comprising eight verses dedicated to Lord Shiva. It extols the supreme greatness and auspiciousness of the Bilva (wood apple) leaf when offered to Lord Shiva. Each verse elaborates on various attributes of Shiva – His cosmic form, His role as the destroyer of sins, the bestower of boons, and the ultimate reality – while profoundly emphasizing that offering even a single Bilva leaf to Him is equivalent to performing numerous sacrifices (yajnas), undertaking pilgrimages to sacred places, and engaging in extensive charitable acts. The hymn conveys that offering this sacred leaf aids in the removal of sins, the attainment of prosperity, and ultimately, spiritual liberation.