bilvāṣṭakam

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva, which has three leaves, representing the three Gunas (Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas), the three eyes (of Shiva), the three weapons, and which destroys the sins committed in the past three births.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva, which has three branches, is free from holes (flaws), soft, and auspicious, and with which I perform the worship of Lord Shiva.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. By worshipping Nandikeshwara with an unbroken (whole) Bilva leaf, one is purified from all sins.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. It yields the same great merit as offering a Shaligrama stone to the Brahmins or performing the great Soma Yajna.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. The merit obtained from this is equal to gifting thousands of crores of elephants, performing hundreds of Vajapeya sacrifices, or making the great donation of a crore of maidens (Kanya Daan).

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. This Bilva tree, which was born from the body of Goddess Lakshmi and is extremely dear to Lord Mahadeva, I offer to Him.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. Merely seeing or touching the Bilva tree destroys all sins, including the most terrible and grave sins.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. This offering brings the same merit as residing in the holy city of Kashi, having the darshan of Kalabhairava, and seeing Madhava at Prayaga.

I offer one leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva. Its base represents Lord Brahma, its middle represents Lord Vishnu, and its tip represents Lord Shiva Himself.

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