Composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the famous Bilvashtakam extols the virtues of the Bilva leaf (also spelt Vilva, Bilwa) and Lord Shiva’s love for it. Shri Shiva Bilvashtakam is a very powerful chant that describes the power and glory of offering bilva leaves to 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. The Bilva leaf is trifoliate which signifies the holy Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. It also signifies the three eyes of Shiva. According to Shiva Purana, The Bilwa is the symbol of Lord Shiva. It is adored even by the Gods. it is difficult to understand its greatness. Blessed are the ones who offer the Bilva. One Bilva is equal to a thousand lotus, says the Siva Purana. According to the Skanda Purana, the Bilwa (Bel) tree grew from the sweat droplets of Parvati which fell on the Mandrachal mountain. From there the Bel tree emerged. Hence, it is believed that the Goddess resides in this tree in all Her forms. 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. Therefore as Parvati resides in Her various forms in this tree, Shiva is extremely fond of its leaves.
ತ್ರಿದಳಂ ತ್ರಿಗುಣಾಕಾರಂ ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರಂ ಚ ತ್ರಿಯಾಯುಧಮ್ ।
ತ್ರಿಜನ್ಮ ಪಾಪಸಂಹಾರಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva
Which has three leaves (a Bilva leaf has 3 leaves as a cluster)
Which represents the three Gunas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas)
And represents three eyes of Shiva
Which is like the triad of weapons he bears
And whose very thought or uttering of names destroys one’s accumulated sins.
ತ್ರಿಶಾಖೈಃ ಬಿಲ್ವಪತ್ರೈಶ್ಚ ಅಚ್ಛಿದ್ರೈಃ ಕೋಮಲೈಃ ಶುಭೈಃ ।
ತವಪೂಜಾಂ ಕರಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva
Which has three shoots
Which are not defective in any manner
Which are soft and tender
Which are auspicious.
ಕೋಟಿ ಕನ್ಯಾ ಮಹಾದಾನಂ ತಿಲಪರ್ವತ ಕೋಟಯಃ ।
ಕಾಞ್ಚನಂ ಶೈಲದಾನೇನ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
Gifting of millions of daughters in marriage or
Offering mountains of Sesame seeds or
Donating a mountain of Gold,
Such virtue can be earned by the
Offering of a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ಕಾಶೀಕ್ಷೇತ್ರ ನಿವಾಸಂ ಚ ಕಾಲಭೈರವ ದರ್ಶನಮ್ ।
ಪ್ರಯಾಗೇ ಮಾಧವಂ ದೃಷ್ಟ್ವಾ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
If one stays at the holy city of Kasi, and then
Has darsan of the Lord Kalabhairava there
Visits Prayag and has darsan of Lord Madhava there
And also offers worship to Lord Shiva with the Bilva leaf
He is assured of the Lord’s grace.
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ಇನ್ದುವಾರೇ ವ್ರತಂ ಸ್ಥಿತ್ವಾ ನಿರಾಹಾರೋ ಮಹೇಶ್ವರಾಃ ।
ನಕ್ತಂ ಹೌಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ದೇವೇಶ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
On Monday, I shall observe a spiritual fast and worship you
I shall consume food only at night O Lord of Lords
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ರಾಮಲಿಙ್ಗ ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಠಾ ಚ ವೈವಾಹಿಕ ಕೃತಂ ತಥಾ ।
ತಟಾಕಾನಿಚ ಸನ್ಧಾನಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
The divine bliss attained by Lord Rama by installing a Shiva Linga
Such divine bliss can be attained by offering
A single leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ಅಖಣ್ಡ ಬಿಲ್ವಪತ್ರಂ ಚ ಆಯುತಂ ಶಿವಪೂಜನಮ್ ।
ಕೃತಂ ನಾಮ ಸಹಸ್ರೇಣ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
Lord Shiva should be worshipped with a whole (unblemished) Bilva leaf.
Having chanted his name a thousand times
I offer a Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ಉಮಯಾ ಸಹದೇವೇಶ ನನ್ದಿ ವಾಹನಮೇವ ಚ ।
ಭಸ್ಮಲೇಪನ ಸರ್ವಾಙ್ಗಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
O Lord, you are seated besides Parvati
Nandi is your mount
Your entire body is smeared with ash
O Lord Shiva, I offer a Bilva leaf to you.
ಸಾಲಗ್ರಾಮೇಷು ವಿಪ್ರಾಣಾಂ ತಟಾಕಂ ದಶಕೂಪಯೋಃ ।
ಯಜ್ಞ್ನಕೋಟಿ ಸಹಸ್ರಸ್ಯ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
By offering the Shaligrama stone to a Brahmin who has realised the Self
Or by performing countelss Yagnas
One acquires great virtue
Such virtue can be earned by
Offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ದನ್ತಿ ಕೋಟಿ ಸಹಸ್ರೇಷು ಅಶ್ವಮೇಧಶತಕ್ರತೌ ಚ ।
ಕೋಟಿಕನ್ಯಾ ಮಹಾದಾನಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
The virtue earned by donating a thousand elephants
Or by performing a hundred Aswamedha sacrifices
Or by giving away in a marriage a countless daughters
Such virtue can be earned by offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ಬಿಲ್ವಾಣಾಂ ದರ್ಶನಂ ಪುಣ್ಯಂ ಸ್ಪರ್ಶನಂ ಪಾಪನಾಶನಮ್ ।
ಅಘೋರ ಪಾಪಸಂಹಾರಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
Even having a look at the Bilva tree or
Even just touching it
Destroys the most horrible sins one might have committed.
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ಸಹಸ್ರವೇದ ಪಾಟೇಷು ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಸ್ತಾಪನಮುಚ್ಯತೇ ।
ಅನೇಕವ್ರತ ಕೋಟೀನಾಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
Chanting the vedas a thousand times
Is said to elevate one to a great spiritual height
And so with performing spiritual fasts crores of times
Equal to all of these is
Offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ಅನ್ನದಾನ ಸಹಸ್ರೇಷು ಸಹಸ್ರೋಪನಯನಂ ತಧಾ ।
ಅನೇಕ ಜನ್ಮಪಾಪಾನಿ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
The virtue earned by donating food to thousands
Or by performing a thouand thread ceremonies
Such virtue is attained
By offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva
Which washes away the sins of many lives.
ಬಿಲ್ವಾಷ್ಟಕಮಿದಂ ಪುಣ್ಯಂ ಯಃ ಪಠೇಶ್ಶಿವ ಸನ್ನಿಧೌ ।
ಶಿವಲೋಕಮವಾಪ್ನೋತಿ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಣಮ್ ॥
Whoever reads these sacred verses of Bilvashtakam
In the proximity (presence) of Lord Shiva
Will be freed of all sins
And will attain the abode of Lord Shiva.
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ವಿಕಲ್ಪ ಸಙ್ಕರ್ಪಣ
ತ್ರಿದಳಂ ತ್ರಿಗುಣಾಕಾರಂ ತ್ರಿನೇತ್ರಂ ಚ ತ್ರಿಯಾಯುಧಮ್ ।
ತ್ರಿಜನ್ಮ ಪಾಪಸಂಹಾರಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 1 ॥
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva
Which has three leaves (a Bilva leaf has 3 leaves as a cluster)
Which represents the three Gunas (Satva, Rajas, Tamas)
And represents three eyes of Shiva
Which is like the triad of weapons he bears
And whose very thought or uttering of names destroys one’s accumulated sins.
ತ್ರಿಶಾಖೈಃ ಬಿಲ್ವಪತ್ರೈಶ್ಚ ಅಚ್ಛಿದ್ರೈಃ ಕೋಮಲೈಃ ಶುಭೈಃ ।
ತವಪೂಜಾಂ ಕರಿಷ್ಯಾಮಿ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 2 ॥
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva
Which has three shoots
Which are not defective in any manner
Which are soft and tender
Which are auspicious.
ದರ್ಶನಂ ಬಿಲ್ವವೃಕ್ಷಸ್ಯ ಸ್ಪರ್ಶನಂ ಪಾಪನಾಶನಮ್ ।
ಅಘೋರಪಾಪಸಂಹಾರಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 3 ॥
Even having a look at the Bilva tree or
Even just touching it
Destroys the most horrible sins one might have committed.
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ಸಾಲಗ್ರಾಮೇಷು ವಿಪ್ರೇಷು ತಟಾಕೇ ವನಕೂಪಯೋಃ ।
ಯಜ್ಞ್ನಕೋಟಿ ಸಹಸ್ರಾಣಾಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 4 ॥
By offering the Shaligrama stone to a Brahmin who has realised the Self
Or by performing countelss Yagnas
One acquires great virtue
Such virtue can be earned by
Offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ದನ್ತಿಕೋಟಿ ಸಹಸ್ರೇಷು ಅಶ್ವಮೇಧ ಶತಾನಿ ಚ ।
ಕೋಟಿಕನ್ಯಾಪ್ರದಾನೇನ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 5 ॥
Gifting of thousands of crores of elephants, or
Performing hundreds of great sacrifices like the Vajapeya (sacrifices made by kings) or
Gifting of millions of daughters in marriage
Cannot be compared with the offering of a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ಏಕಂ ಚ ಬಿಲ್ವಪತ್ರೈಶ್ಚ ಕೋಟಿಯಜ್ಞ್ನ ಫಲಂ ಲಭೇತ್ ।
ಮಹಾದೇವೈಶ್ಚ ಪೂಜಾರ್ಥಂ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 6 ॥
By performing countelss Yagnas
One acquires great virtue
Such virtue can be earned by
Offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.
ಕಾಶೀಕ್ಷೇತ್ರೇ ನಿವಾಸಂ ಚ ಕಾಲಭೈರವ ದರ್ಶನಮ್ ।
ಗಯಾಪ್ರಯಾಗ ಮೇ ದೃಷ್ಟ್ವಾ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 7 ॥
If one stays at the holy city of Kasi, and then
Has darsan of the Lord Kalabhairava there
Visits Prayag and has darsan of Lord Madhava there
And also offers worship to Lord Shiva with the Bilva leaf
He is assured of the Lord’s grace.
I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva.
ಉಮಯಾ ಸಹ ದೇವೇಶಂ ವಾಹನಂ ನನ್ದಿಶಙ್ಕರಮ್ ।
ಮುಚ್ಯತೇ ಸರ್ವಪಾಪೇಭ್ಯೋ ಏಕಬಿಲ್ವಂ ಶಿವಾರ್ಪಿತಮ್ ॥ 8 ॥
O Lord, you are seated besides Parvati
Nandi is your mount
Your entire body is smeared with ash
O Lord Shiva, I offer a Bilva leaf to you.
ಇತಿ ಶ್ರೀ ಬಿಲ್ವಾಷ್ಟಕಮ್ ॥
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