I offer one bilva leaf to Lord Shiva, for it is equivalent to offering a saligrama (sacred stone) to a brahmin, or the great blessing obtained by performing Soma Yaga. I offer one bilva leaf to Lord Shiva, for if a whole leaf is offered to the Lord of Nandi, we get cleansed of all our sins. I offer one bilva leaf to Lord Shiva in worship, which has three branches, does not have holes, is tender and auspicious. Shiva, which is like the triad of weapons, and which destroys the sins of three lifetimes. I offer a bilva to Lord Shiva, which has three leaves, which represents three qualities, which are like the three eyes of Sivalokamavapnoti ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 14 ॥ Shiva Stotram – Bilvashtakam Meaning: Sahasraveda patesu brahmastapana mucyate |Īnekavrata kotinam ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 12 ॥Īnnadana sahasresu sahasropa nayanam tadha |Īneka janmapapani ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 13 ॥īilvastotramidam punyam yah pathessiva sannidhau | Kotikanya mahadanam ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 10 ॥īilvanam darsanam punyam sparsanam papanasanam |Īghora papasamharam ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 11 ॥ Yajnakoti sahasrasca ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 9 ॥ĭanti koti sahasresu asvamedha satakratau | Salagramesu vipranam tatakam dasakupayoh | Krtam nama sahasrena ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 7 ॥īhasmalepana sarvangam ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 8 ॥ Tatakanica sandhanam ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 6 ॥Īkhanda bilvapatram ca ayutam sivapujanam | Ramalinga pratistha ca vaivahika krtam tadha |
Naktam hausyami devesa ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 5 ॥ Induvare vratam sthitva niraharo mahesvarah | Prayage madhavam drstva ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 4 ॥
Kasiksetra nivasam ca kalabhairava darsanam | Kañcanam ksiladanena ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 3 ॥ Koti kanya mahadanam tilaparvata kotayah | Tavapujam karisyami ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 2 ॥ Trisakhaih bilvapatraisca accidraih komalaih subhaih | Trijanma papasamharam ekabilvam sivarpanam ॥ 1 ॥ Tridalam trigunakaram trinetram ca triyayudham | Those who recite this sacred Bilvastkam near Shiva shall be freed from all the sins and will attain the abode of Siva. Giving millions of elephants in charity, performing hundreds of Vājapeya sacrifices, or giving away millions of daughters in marriage equal the offering of one Bilva-leaf to Shiva. Those who offer one leaf of Bilva to Shiva is possibly equal to the spiritual bliss attained by the offer of a saligrāma stone to a Brahman. According to Sri Bilva Shtakam, bel tree grew from the breast of Lakshmi. Therefore as Parvati resides in Her various forms in this tree, Shiva is extremely fond of its leaves. She resides as Girija in the roots of the tree, as Maheshwari in its trunk, as Dakshayani in its branches, Parvati in its leaves, Katyayani in its fruit and as Gauri in its flowers. Hence, it is believed that the Goddess resides in this tree in all Her forms. According to the Skanda Purana, the Bel tree grew from the sweat droplets of Parvati which fell on the Mandrachal mountain. One Bilva is equal to a thousand lotus, says the Siva Purana. it is difficult to understand its greatness. According to Shiva Purana, The bilva is the symbol of lord shiva. It also signifies the three eyes of Shiva. This leaf is trifoliate which signifies the holy Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. Bilva leaves is from the wood apple tree. Hence, Belpatra is one of the most important ingredients which is used for the worship of Lord Shiva. If a person prays to Shiva with a clear mind and offers a Belpatra to the Shivalinga, the Lord blesses them with whatever they desire. Shiva is very fond of Belpatra or the Bilva leaves. Bilva Patra shares a very special relationship with Lord Shiva. They are to be offered in a group of three leaves and are said to have features that identify them with Lord Shiva himself.
Shri Shiva Bilvashtakam is a powerful mantra that speaks of the power and glory of offering bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva Bilvashtakam was composed by Jagad Guru Sri Adi Shankaracharya.