Bilvapatra Mantra (Tridalam Trigunakaram)

Why bilva for Shiva

The leaf of the bilva (bel, Aegle marmelos) is the offering most dear to Shiva. Its three leaflets on one stalk are read as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, the three gunas, the three eyes of Shiva and his trident. Offering bilva is the core of Shiva puja on Mondays, in Shravan and on Mahashivratri, and these verses, drawn from the Bilvashtakam, are recited as each leaf is placed on the linga.

What the verses say

• Darshanam bilvapatrasya: "merely seeing the bilva leaf, and touching it, destroys sin; it destroys even terrible sins; I offer the bilva leaf to Shiva."
• Tridalam trigunakaram: "three-leafed, shaped like the three gunas, three-eyed, three-weaponed (the trident), destroying the sins of three births, I offer the bilva leaf to Shiva."
• Akhandai bilvapatraishcha: "with unbroken bilva leaves I worship Shiva Shankara; it equals the great gift of a crore maidens in marriage", a traditional way of saying the merit is immense.
• Grihana bilvapatrani: "accept these bilva leaves with flowers, Maheshwara, fragrant, lord of Bhavani, Shiva, you who love flowers."

How to offer bilva

• Use whole leaves with all three leaflets intact (akhand), washed, and offer them with the smooth side touching the linga.
• Bel leaves are not plucked on Mondays, chaturthi, ashtami, navami, chaturdashi, amavasya or Sankranti in many traditions; pick them the day before.
• A clean bilva leaf may be washed and offered again if fresh ones are not available, which is unusual for offerings.

Frequently asked questions

Why must the bilva leaf have three leaflets?

The three leaflets represent the trinity, the three gunas and Shiva's three eyes; the verse "tridalam" names exactly this.

Which side of the bel leaf faces the linga?

The smooth upper side is usually placed facing the linga, with the stalk toward you.

Can bel leaves be reused?

Traditionally yes: the bilva is said never to become stale, so a washed leaf can be offered again.

When should bel leaves not be plucked?

Many traditions avoid plucking on Mondays and certain tithis such as chaturthi, ashtami, chaturdashi and amavasya; leaves are gathered a day earlier.

What is Bilvashtakam?

An eight-verse hymn to the bilva leaf, each verse ending "ekabilvam Shivarpanam"; these mantra verses come from its tradition.