Ashtak · Sanskrit
बिल्वाष्टकम्
Bilvashtakam
The sacred eight verses offering trifoliate Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva, purifying the sins of past births and bestowing peace and auspiciousness.
Read & reflect
त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रियायुधम् । त्रिजन्मपापसंहारमेकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ १ ॥
त्रिशाखैर्बिल्वपत्रैश्च ह्यच्छिद्रैः कोमलैः शुभैः । तव पूजां करिष्यामि एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ २ ॥
अखण्डैलबिल्वपत्रेण पूजिते नन्दिकेश्वरे । शुद्ध्यन्ति सर्वपापेभ्य एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ३ ॥
शालग्रामशिलायास्तु बिल्वपत्रेण पूजनम् । विष्णोरपि प्रियं नित्यमेकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ४ ॥
दन्तिकोटिसहस्राणि वाजपेयशतानि च । कोटिकन्यामहादानमेकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ५ ॥
लक्ष्म्याः स्तनत उत्पन्नं महादेवस्य च प्रियम् । बिल्ववृक्षं प्रयच्छामि एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ६ ॥
दर्शनं बिल्ववृक्षस्य स्पर्शनं पापनाशनम् । अघोरपापसंहारमेकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ७ ॥
मूलतो ब्रह्मरूपाय मध्यतो विष्णुरूपिणे । अग्रतः शिवरूपाय एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम् ॥ ८ ॥
Roman reading aid
Tridalam Trigunakaram Trinetram Cha Triyayudham | Trijanmapapasamharam Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 1 || Trishakhair Bilvapatraishcha Hyachhidraih Komalaih Shubhaih | Tava Poojam Karishyami Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 2 || Akhandaila Bilvapatrena Poojite Nandikeshware | Shuddhyanti Sarvapapebhya Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 3 || Shalagramashilayastu Bilvapatrena Poojanam | Vishnorapi Priyam Nityam Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 4 || Dantikotisahasrani Vajapeyashatani Cha | Kotikanyamahadanam Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 5 || Lakshmyah Stanata Utpannam Mahadevasya Cha Priyam | Bilvavriksham Prayachhami Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 6 || Darshanam Bilvavrikshasya Sparshanam Papanashanam | Aghorapapasamharam Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 7 || Moolato Brahmaroopaya Madhyato Vishnuroopine | Agratah Shivaroopaya Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam || 8 ||
English meaning
English Translation: Bearing three leaflets, representing the three cosmic qualities (gunas), three eyes of Shiva, and His trident weapon, destroying sins of three lifetimes — I offer this single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 1 || With three-branched Bilva leaves, whole, tender, unblemished, and auspicious, I worship You, O Lord — I offer this single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 2 || Worshipping Lord Nandikeshwara with unbroken Bilva leaves cleanses all sins — I offer this single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 3 || Worshipping the holy Shalagrama stone with Bilva leaves is eternally dear even unto Lord Vishnu — I offer this single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 4 || The spiritual merit of donating thousands of elephants, performing hundreds of Vajapeya sacrifices, and gifting millions of cows equals offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 5 || Manifested from the grace of Goddess Lakshmi, eternally beloved of Mahadeva, I offer this sacred Bilva tree leaf to Lord Shiva! || 6 || The mere sight of the Bilva tree and its touch destroys sins, obliterating the heaviest transgressions — I offer this single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 7 || At its root resides Brahma, in its middle dwells Vishnu, and at its tip stands Shiva — I offer this single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva! || 8 || Devotional Significance: Bilvashtakam is recited while offering Bilva leaves to the Shiva Linga during daily worship and on Maha Shivaratri, symbolizing complete surrender of body, mind, and soul.