Bilvastakam

Tridalam Trigunakaaram Trinethram Cha Triyayudham,
Trijanma Papa Samharam Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 1

Meaning: I offer to Lord Shiva  cluster of three Bilva leaves, [which stand for three gunas Satva guna (characterised by knowledge), rajo guna (which is of the nature of activity)and tamo guna which implies inertia which make up HIS Maya  (Shiva is also called GunaTrayaSvarupa –Embodiment of three gunas)] and represent his three eyes (The Sun, Moon  and Fire) and three weapons( mace, trident and the bow)  He bears and  whose very thought or uttering his name destroys the sins accumulated from past three births.

Trishakhai Bilwapathraischa Hyachidrai Komalai Shubai,
Shiva Poojam Karishyami, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 2

Meaning: I perform puja to Lord Shiva with bunch of bilva leaves that are auspicious,Soft and tender, have three leaves, which are not damaged or defective in any manner.

Akhanda Bilwa Pathrena Poojithe Nandikeshware,
Shudhyanthi Sarva Papebhyo, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 3

Meaning:I offer one Bilva to Lord shiva , By offering puja to Shiva - Lord of Nandi – with bilva leaf that is whole and without defects one is freed from all sins.

Salagrama Shilamekaam Vipranam Jatha  ChaArpayeth,
Soma Yagna Maha Punyam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 4

Meaning: I offer one Bilva to Lord shiva , which is equal to the merit of performing a Soma yagna, acquired by gifting a Saligrama to a Brahmin who has knowledge of the Self.

Danthi Koti Sahasrani Vajapeya Sathani Cha,
Koti Kanya Maha Danam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 5

Meaning: I offer one bilva to Lord Shiva, the merit of which cannot be compared (viz many times more than)  with  Gifting of thousands of elephants or performing hundreds of great sacrifices like the Vajapeya or gifting of millions of young unmarried girls in marriage.

Lakshmyasthanutha Uthpannam Mahadevasya Cha Priyam,
Bilwa Vruksham Prayacchami, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 6

Meaning: I offer one Bilva to Lord Shiva, For it is equal to giving a tree of Bilva, which was born from the body of Lakshmi, and which is very dear to the Lord Shiva.

Darshanam Bilwa Vrukshasya, Sparsanam Papa Nasanam,
Aghora Papa Samharam, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 7

Meaning: I offer one  Bilva to Lord Shiva, as even having a look at the bilva tree or touching it destroys the most horrible sins one might have committed.

Kasi Kshethra Nivasam Cha Kala Bhairava Darshanam,
Prayaga Madhavam Drushtwa, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 8

Meaning: I offer one  Bilva to Lord Shiva.If one stays at the holy city of Kasi, and has darsan of the Lord Kalabhairava there, visits Prayag and has darsan of Lord Madhava there and also offers worship to Lord Shiva with bilva leaf he is assured of Lord’s grace.

Moolatho Brahma Roopaya, Madhyatho Vishnu Roopine
Agratha Shiva Roopaya, Eka Bilwam Shivarpanam 9

Meaning: I offer one Bilva to Lord shiva for worshipping Lord Shiva with a leaf from the bilva tree which represents Brahma, the creator in the root portion, Vishnu, the sustainer in the middle portion and Shiva, the destroyer in the top portion one can derive the supreme benefit.

Bilwashtakam Idham Punyaam, Padeth Shiva Sannidhou,
Sarva Papa Nirmuktha Shiva Loka Maapnuyath 10

Meaning: Whoever reads these sacred octet  of Bilvashtakam in the proximity of Lord Shiva will be freed of all sins and attain the abode of Lord Shiva.

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Bilvastakam in English with meaning PDF Format
Bilvastakam in Sanskri with meaning PDF Format
Bilvastakam in Telugu with meaning PDF Format
Bilvastakam MP3