śrī bilvāṣṭakam

The three-leafed bilva, representing the three gunas, symbolizing the three-eyed Lord wielding the three weapons — offering this single bilva leaf to Shiva destroys the sins accumulated over three births.

With three-lobed bilva leaves that are whole, tender, and auspicious, I shall perform Your worship. This single bilva leaf is my offering to Lord Shiva.

The great gift of ten million maidens in marriage, or mountains of sesame seeds numbering in crores, or the donation of a golden mountain — all these are equaled by the offering of a single bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

Residing in the sacred field of Kashi and beholding Kalabhairava, having seen Madhava at Prayaga — offering a single bilva leaf to Shiva equals all these merits.

O Great Lord Maheshvara, having observed the vow on Monday while remaining without food, at night I shall offer this single bilva leaf as an offering to Shiva, O Lord of the Gods.

The consecration of a Shiva Linga, the sacred rite of marriage performed with devotion, the construction of tanks and reservoirs, and the blessing of progeny — all these merits are attained by offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

An unbroken bilva leaf offered in worship of Shiva equals ten thousand acts of devotion. The merit earned by chanting a thousand divine names is attained by offering a single bilva leaf to Shiva.

The Lord of Gods together with Uma, with Nandi as His vehicle, His entire body smeared with sacred ash — I offer one bilva leaf to Shiva as a sacred offering.

The merit of offering Shalagrama stones to Brahmins, the merit of constructing a tank (pond) equal to ten wells, the merit of a thousand crores of sacrifices — all these are equaled by offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

Superior to the gift of thousands of crores of elephants, superior to a hundred Ashvamedha sacrifices, superior even to the great donation of a crore of maidens in marriage — is the offering of a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

The mere sight of Bilva leaves brings merit, and their touch destroys sin. The fierce destroyer of all sins — I offer one Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

The recitation of the Vedas a thousand times is said to equal the Brahma Tapana ritual. The offering of a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva is equivalent to performing millions of sacred vows.

A thousand charitable offerings of food, a thousand sacred thread ceremonies — all the sins accumulated over countless births are absolved by offering a single bilva leaf to Lord Shiva.

Whoever recites this sacred Bilvashtakam in the presence of Lord Shiva attains Shivaloka, the divine abode of Shiva. Even a single bilva leaf offered to Shiva becomes a complete act of devotion.