Bilvashtakam: Full Text with Meaning — The Eight Verses of Bilva Offering to Lord Shiva

Quick answer: The Bilvashtakam is a sacred eight-verse hymn offering the Bilva (bel) leaf to Lord Shiva, each verse ending “Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam” — “I offer one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.” It is chanted while offering Bilva leaves during Shiva puja and Rudrabhishekam, and is considered especially powerful during Sravana Masam and on Mondays.

The Bilvashtakam (also spelled Vilvashtakam) is a sacred hymn of eight verses composed in praise of the Bilva leaf and its offering to Lord Shiva. Each verse ends with the powerful refrain “Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam” — “I offer one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.” The text below is the traditional public-domain stotra with its meaning.

Full Bilvashtakam with meaning

Verse 1

Tridalam trigunakaram trinetram cha triyayudham | Trijjanma papasamharam ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

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I offer one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. This three-leaved leaf represents the three gunas (Sattva, Rajas, Tamas), the three eyes of Shiva and His trident. Offering it destroys the sins of three births.

Verse 2

Trishakhair bilvapatraishcha hyachchidraih komalaih shubhaih | Shivapujam karishyami ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

I perform the worship of Lord Shiva with Bilva leaves that have three branches, are without holes, soft, tender and auspicious. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Verse 3

Akhanda bilvapatrena pujite nandikeshware | Shudhyanti sarvapapebhyo ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

When the imperishable Lord (Nandikeshwara) is worshipped with an unbroken Bilva leaf, all sins are purified. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Verse 4

Shaligrama shilamekam vipranam jatu charpayet | Somayajna mahapunyam ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

The merit obtained by offering a Saligrama stone to Brahmins, or by performing a great Soma Yajna, is equalled by offering one Bilva leaf to Shiva. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Verse 5

Dantikuti sahasrani ashvamedha shatani cha | Kotikanya mahadanam ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

The merit of gifting thousands of elephants, performing a hundred Ashvamedha yajnas, or giving away a crore of maidens in marriage, is obtained by offering one Bilva leaf to Shiva. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Verse 6

Lakshmyah stanamutpannam mahadevasya cha priyam | Bilvavriksham prayachchami ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

The Bilva tree was born from the body of Goddess Lakshmi and is extremely dear to Mahadeva. I offer this Bilva tree (leaf) to Lord Shiva. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Verse 7

Darshanam bilvavrikshasya sparshanam papanashanam | Aghorapapa samharam ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

The mere sight of the Bilva tree and touching it destroys sins. It annihilates even the most terrible (Aghora) sins. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Verse 8

Mulato brahmarupaya madhyato vishnurupine | Agratah shivarupaya ekabilvam shivarpanam ||

At the root, the Bilva embodies Lord Brahma; in the middle it embodies Lord Vishnu; and at the tip it embodies Lord Shiva. I offer this single Bilva leaf to Shiva.

Phala Shruti (fruit of recitation)

Bilvashtakamidam punyam yah pathet shivasannidhau | Sarvapapa vinirmuktah shivalokamavapnuyat ||

Whoever recites this sacred Bilvashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva becomes free from all sins and attains the abode of Shiva (Shivaloka).

How to use this stotra

• Chant it while offering Bilva leaves during Shiva Puja or Rudrabhishekam.
• It is considered especially powerful during Sravana Masam and on Mondays (Somavaram).
• Even reciting it with devotion while mentally offering a Bilva leaf is regarded as highly meritorious.

Om Namah Shivaya! Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bilvashtakam?

The Bilvashtakam is a sacred eight-verse Sanskrit hymn in praise of offering the Bilva (bel) leaf to Lord Shiva. Each verse ends with the refrain “Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam” — “I offer one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.”

What does “Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam” mean?

It means “I offer one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.” The refrain closes every verse of the Bilvashtakam, expressing that even a single Bilva leaf offered with devotion is a complete and cherished offering to Shiva.

Why is the Bilva leaf offered to Lord Shiva?

The three-lobed Bilva leaf is said to represent the three gunas, the three eyes of Shiva and His trident. Tradition, echoed in the Bilvashtakam, holds that offering it purifies sins and is dear to Mahadeva.

When is it best to chant the Bilvashtakam?

It is chanted while offering Bilva leaves during Shiva Puja or Rudrabhishekam, and is considered especially powerful during Sravana Masam and on Mondays (Somavaram).

How many verses does the Bilvashtakam have?

It has eight main verses (ashtakam means “eight”), each ending with “Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam,” followed by a Phala Shruti verse describing the fruit of recitation.

What is the Phala Shruti of the Bilvashtakam?

The Phala Shruti states that whoever recites the Bilvashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva becomes free from all sins and attains Shivaloka, the abode of Shiva.

Can I recite it without physical Bilva leaves?

Yes. Tradition holds that reciting the Bilvashtakam with devotion while mentally offering a Bilva leaf is highly meritorious, which is helpful when fresh Bilva leaves are not available.

Which festivals is the Bilvashtakam associated with?

It is especially associated with Sravana Masam, Sravana Somavaram (Mondays), Pradosha and Maha Shivaratri, and any occasion of Shiva Abhishekam or Rudrabhishekam.