Shri Bilvashtakam Stotram

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").

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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.

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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 ॥

Verse 5

Danti-Koṭi-Sahasrāṇi Vājapeya-Śatāni Ca ।
Koṭikanyā-Mahādānaṃ Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 5 ॥

Verse 6

Lakṣmyāḥ Stana-Utpannaṃ Mahādevasya Ca Priyam ।
Bilvavṛkṣaṃ Prayacchāmi Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 6 ॥

Verse 7

Darśanaṃ Bilvavṛkṣasya Sparśanaṃ Pāpanaśanam ।
Aghora-Pāpa-Saṃhāraṃ Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 7 ॥

Verse 8

Kāśīkṣetra-Nivāsaṃ Ca Kāla-Bhairava-Darśanam ।
Prayāge Mādhavaṃ Dṛṣṭvā Eka-Bilvaṃ Śivārpaṇam ॥ 8 ॥

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Bilvāṣṭakam-Idaṃ Puṇyaṃ Yaḥ Paṭhet Śiva-Saṃnidhau ।
Sarva-Pāpa-Vinirmuktaḥ Śivalokam-Avāpnuyāt ॥ 9 ॥

Meaning of Phalashruti

Whoever recites this holy Bilvashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva will be freed from all sins and attain the realm of Shiva (Shivaloka).

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Om Namah Shivaya!
Tridalam Trigunakarham Trinayanam Cha Triyayudham |
Trijanma Papa Samharam Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam ||

O Lord Shiva! The three-leaved Bilva leaf represents the three Gunas, the three eyes of Shiva, and the three weapons. I offer a single Bilva leaf to destroy the sins of three lifetimes.

Om Shanti! Shanti! Shanti!

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Sri Adi Shankaracharya composed Bilvashtakam to emphasize the power of devotion (Bhakti) over complex ritualism.

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The Bilva leaf symbolizes key Vedantic concepts:

1. Tridalam (Three Leaves): Symbolizes Satva, Rajas, and Tamas gunas; the three eyes of Shiva (Sun, Moon, Fire); and the three Nadis (Ida, Pingala, Sushumna).
2. Residence of Goddess Lakshmi: Verse 6 mentions that the Bilva tree emerged from the grace of Lakshmi (Lakshmyah Stana Utpannam) and is beloved to Mahadeva.
3. Darshanam and Sparshanam: Verse 7 states that seeing or touching a Bilva tree destroys terrible sins (Aghora Papa Samharam).

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• Verse 1: Offering a 3-leaved Bilva leaf representing 3 eyes and 3 weapons destroys sins of 3 lifetimes.
• Verse 2: Offering unbroken, tender Bilva leaves to Shiva during Puja.
• Verse 3: Offering unbroken Bilva leaves cleanses all past sins.
• Verses 4–5: Offering one Bilva leaf equals the merit of giving thousands of elephants or performing Vajapeya Yajna.
• Verse 6: Offering the Bilva tree beloved to Mahadeva and born of Lakshmi's grace.
• Verse 7: Seeing or touching the Bilva tree destroys severe sins.
• Verse 8: Offering one Bilva leaf yields the pilgrimage merit of visiting Kashi, Kashi Vishwanath, and Prayagraj.
• Verse 9 (Phalashruti): Reciting Bilvashtakam near Shiva leads to freedom from sin and Shivaloka.

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