Bilvashtakam

Bilva tree is most sacred and revered. Bilva tree and Bilva leaves are very dear to Lord Shiva. At the time of worship of Lord Shiva, offering Bilva leaves while reciting Bilvashtakam , one gets the special grace of Mahadeva.

॥ Bilvashtakam ॥

Tridalam Trigunaakaaram Trinetram Cha Trayaayudham ।
Trijanma Paapa Sanhaaram Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥1॥

Meaning – Bilvapatra with three leaves is symbol of three gunas ( Satva, Raja and Tama ), form of three eyes of Shiva, form of Shiva’s weapon ( Trishula ) and destroyer of sins of three births, I offer that Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva ॥1॥

Trishaakhair Bilva Patraishcha Hyachchhidraih Komalaih Shubhaih ।
Shivapujaam Karishyaami Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥2॥

Meaning – I will worship Lord Shiva with poreless, soft and three-leafed bilva leaf that gives auspiciousness. I offer Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva ॥2॥

Akhanda Bilva Patrena Pujite Nandikeshvare ।
Shuddhyanti Sarva Paapebhyo Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥3॥

Meaning – By worshiping the Lord of Nandi with the unbroken bilva leaves, humans become free from all sins and become pure. I offer Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva ॥3॥

Shaalagraama Shilaamekaam Vipraanaam Jaatu Arpayet ।
Somayagya Mahaapunyam Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥4॥

Meaning – Maybe Bilvapatra offered by me to Lord Shiva Like a donation of Shaaligraam stone to brahmins and be a giver of great virtue like the ritual of Soma Yajna ॥4॥

Dantikoti Sahasraani Vaajapeya Shataani Cha ।
Koti Kanyaa Mahaadaanam Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥5॥

Meaning – The offering of Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva by me is like a donation of thousands of crores of elephants, similar to the ritual of hundreds of Vajpeya Yagnas and be virtuous like doing Kanyaadaan of crores of girls ॥5॥

Lakshmyaah Stanata Utpannam Mahaadevasya Cha Priyam ।
Bilva Vriksham Prayachchhaami Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥6॥

Meaning – Originated from the chest of Goddess Lakshmi and which is Mahadeva’s most beloved tree. I offer that Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva ॥6॥

Darshanam Bilva Vrikshasya Sparshanam Paapa Naashanam ।
Aghora Paapa Sanhaaram Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥7॥

Meaning – The sight and touch of the Bilva tree destroys all sins. I offer Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva ॥7॥

Mulato Brahma Rupaaya Madhyato Vishnu Rupine ।
Agratah Shiva Rupaaya Bilvapatram Shivaarpanam ॥8॥

Meaning – The root part of the Bilva tree is the form of Brahma, the middle part is the form of Vishnu and the front part is the form of Shiva. I offer that Bilvapatra to Lord Shiva ॥8॥

Bilvaashtaka Midam Punyam Yah Pathechchhiva Sannidhau ।
Sarva Paapa Vinirmuktah Shivaloka Mavaapnuyaat ॥9॥

Meaning – One who recites this virtuous Bilvashtakam near Lord Shiva, he gets rid of all sins and finally attains Shivaloka ॥9॥