Shri Bilvashtakam Stotram
Shri Bilvashtakam Stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. Complete 8 verses praising Bilva leaf offerings to Lord Shiva in IAST English transliteration, Phalashruti, and English meaning.
Shri Bilvashtakam Stotram
Stotram (English Transliteration)
Verse 1
Tridalaṃ Triguṇākāraṃ Trinayanaṃ Ca Triyāyudham ।
Trijanma-Pāpa-Saṃhāraṃ Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 1 ॥
Verse 2
Trishākhaiḥ Bilvapatraiścha Acchidraiḥ Komalaiḥ Śubhaiḥ ।
Tavapūjāṃ Kariṣyāmi Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 2 ॥
Verse 3
Akhaṇḍa-Bilvapatreṇa Pūjite Nandikeśvare ।
Śudhyanti Sarva-Pāpebhyo Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 3 ॥
Verse 4
Śālagrāma-Śilāme Kāṃ Viprāṇāṃ Jātu Arpayet ।
Danta-Koṭi-Sahasrāṇāṃ Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 4 ॥
Shri Bilvashtakam Stotram
Introduction
Shri Bilvashtakam Stotram is a divine 8-verse hymn composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya celebrating the supreme spiritual merit of offering Bilva (Bael) leaves to Lord Shiva.
The Bilva tree (Aegle marmelos) is considered sacred to Lord Shiva. Scriptural tradition states that Goddess Lakshmi resides in the Bilva tree, and offering even a single trifoliate Bilva leaf (Tridalam) with devotion to the Shiva Lingam pleases the Lord more than performing elaborate rituals.
Each verse of the stotram ends with the sacred chorus: "Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam" ("I offer a single Bilva leaf unto Lord Shiva").
Benefits of Recitation (Phalashruti)
According to scriptural tradition and verse 9 of this stotram, reciting Shri Bilvashtakam while offering Bilva leaves grants immense blessings:
- Destruction of Sins of Three Lifetimes: Destroys sins committed by body, mind, and speech across past births (Tri-Janma-Pāpa-Saṃhāram).
- Equivalent to Ashvamedha Yajna: Offering Bilva leaves while chanting yields the merit of performing great Vedic sacrifices.
- Attainment of Shivaloka: Grants residence in Lord Shiva's divine presence.
- Peace and Prosperity: Bestows family harmony, wisdom, and liberation from debt.
తరచుగా అడిగే ప్రశ్నలు (FAQ)
ఈ స్తోత్ర పారాయణం, నియమాలు మరియు ఫలశృతి గురించిన సాధారణ ప్రశ్నలు
Q1How should Bilva leaves be offered to Shiva Lingam?
Offer Bilva leaves with the smooth/upper side facing down towards the Shiva Lingam, holding the stem between thumb and ring finger.