The hindus worship different forms of God, Goddess, deities with different beliefs and offering different items in materialistic form such as milk, fruits, ghee, flowers, incenses, grains, nuts, tender coconut, curd, sandalwood, honey to appease the God. Among all these ‘BailvaPatra’is the one we offer to Lord Shiva, has its own significance and has been proved scientifically as well.
Well, Lord Shiva being the supreme God of the whole universe and is one of the famous Trinity of Hinduism-Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, is responsible for the creation, protection and destruction of the world respectively. Lord Shiva is Symbolic of auspiciousness and well know as the destroyer of the world, is omnipotent and omnipresent.
Shiva is said to have eight forms which is known as Ashtamurti.
These eight forms of Shiva; Sharva, Bhava, Rudra, Ugra, Bhima, Pashupati, Ishana and Mahadeva are said to be the earth, water, fire, wind, sky, yogi, sun and moon respectively.Basically, Shiva means the one who is auspicious and removes all sorrows. Hence, Shiva is the one who glows and makes others glow.
Rudra is the proto form of Shiva who was the principal deity of Vedic period. Rudra was prominently known as the destructive god of Vedic society. Puranic Shiva is a developed structure of Vedic rudra in which so many other minor deities were assimilated.
Pashupati is that form of rudra whose existence is attributed to Shiva. Pashupati is the Lord of beasts. He received the epithet “Neelakantha” because his throat became blue due to the consumption of poison which arose from the churning of the Great Ocean.
Lord Shiva is worshipped mainly in two forms. The first form of worshipping is that of a Shivalinga and the other form is Murti (statue) form. The Linga worship of the Lord is most common and believed to be extremely sacred amongst the Hindus.Shiva is usually worshiped in the form of Shivalinga which is the most popular manifestation of Lord Shiva and is represented by phallus. It is the most important symbol of Shiva.
One account says that, once Shiva was fascinated by seeing a charming woman and started following her. That woman was Lord Vishnu in the form of Mohini. As Shiva ran, his semen fell at various places and formed the drops to produce Lingas. This indicates that Linga is the very essence of Shiva’s personality. In SkandaPurana, Linga is said to be the abode of Shiva.TheShivalinga symbolizes creation and cosmic energy. The worship of Shivalinga represents the union of Shiva and Shakti-Parvati resulting in the creation of the universe. Hence, he is worshipped in Shivalingaform.Usually Lord Shiva is depicted as extremely ferocious and destructive in nature. However, Shiva is known for his benevolence at the same time. Even the slightest of devotion from the devotees make this god extremely happy.
Shiva Purana mentions the list of the things which make Shiva happy. These are, chanting of Mula mantra and Mahamrutyunjaya mantra; performing Abhishek (spiritual baths to him) by offering Bilvapatra leaves (bel leaves), Rudraksha leaves, Dhotara flower and leaves.
Shiva Abhisheka
Mainly water, milk, Panchamruta (combination of five nectars, Sugar, curd, honey, milk and Ghee) etc are used regularly for spiritual bath also known as Abhisheka or holy bath (Snan).Apart from these, some of the other common items used for Shiva Abhisheka are curd, cow milk, honey, tender coconut water, vibhuti (holey ash), panchamruta, bananas, sandalwood paste, ghee and haldi (turmeric powder).In many temples, one finds a vessel hung over the Linga, called dhaarapaathra, continuously dripping water or water and milk onto the Linga in deference to Shiva’s desire for Abhisheka.
Another offering which is specially suggested for Shiva is Bilvapatra, leaf of Bilva. Bilva is very auspicious tree which is mentioned in Atharvaveda, Iatareya Brahman and ShatapathaBrahman.It is believed that the Bilva tree was created by Lord Brahma. However, the tree originated from the right hand of Lakshmi due to her long penance.
There is a legend which talks about the origin of this tree. Lakshmi used to offer 1000 lotuses to Lord Shiva on every puja. Once, two lotuses went missing from those thousand ones. At the time of worship when Lakshmi became extremely worried, Lord Vishnu said that Lakshmi’s two breasts are as pious and auspicious as lotus and that she can offer those to Shiva. Then she cut off her breasts and offered them to Shiva. Shiva was pleased by her devotion and blessed her that, now onwards her breasts will be there on the Bilva tree as fruits.
The triangular leaves or 3 leaflets of the Bilva tree are offered to Shiva as they are very dear to him. Bilva tree is considered as the form of Shiva. It is also said that the worship of Shiva which is done without offering Bilva leaf is fruitless.
How to select a good bailvapatra?
While selecting Bailva leaves make sure the Chakra and the Bajra are not present on them. The Chakra is a white mark made by insects on the Bilva leaves, while the Bajra is the thick portion towards the stalk. The Bilva leaves used in pooja should be of 3 leaflets even if one of the leaves gets detached of three leaves then it is of no use.
LORD SHIVA IS TRADITIONALLY OFFERED BEL (BILVA) LEAVES DURING WORSHIP
Bel (Bilva) leaves, which are of Tri-foliate form, are placed on Shiva Lingam along with Shiva Mantras by the priests in Shiva temples during the month of Shravan. Bel Tree is a sacred tree having sacrificial importance.Its trifoliate leaf is symbolic of Trikaal or the Hindu Trinity of Devas namely Brahma Vishnu and Shiva .This tree is also called Wood apple and its botanical name is Aeglemarmilos. Why is this leaf so sacred to Lord Shiva especially during Shravan month?
SIGNIFICANCE OF BAIL LEAVES FOR WORSHIPPING LORD SHIVA ?
Bailva leaves are important as their trifoliate shape signifies Shiva’s three eyes as well as the three spokes of the lords trishul .Since they have a cooling effect, they are offered to the Shivalinga to soothe this hot-tempered deity. Those who perform the puja of Shiva and Parvati devoutly, using the leaves, may be endowed with spiritual powers. Even a fallen bel is never used as firewood, for fear of arousing Shiva’s wrath. Its wood is used only in sacrificial fires.
THE TRIFOILATE BEL LEAF SIGNIFY THREE EYES OF LORD SHIVA
In a battle with Devtas ,Tarakasur the demon gathered the most destructive things in the Universe and made a weapon to destroy the earth and to prevent Lord Shiva to establish the 51 Shakti-peeths formed out of the limbs of Sati fallen on Earth and prevent the Devtas getting power.Lord Shiva absorbed the weapon in his body it formed the third eye ,the eye of destruction.It is opened by Lord Shiva only when he wants to totally destroy anybody .Some believe that the third eye signifies wisdom and is source of his untamed energy.
THE TRIFOILATE BAILVA LEAF ALSO SIGNIFY THE THREE GUNAS
The three segments of Bailva leaf symbolically represents the three Gunas i.e. Tamas (physical body), Rajas (emotions) and satvic (intellect). The proportion of satvic component is more, hence the bel leaf has more capacity to absorb and emit satvic frequencies. If one uses these three i.e. physical, mental and intellectual in a balanced manner, the self or the soul attains liberation i.e. Moksha,Tridosh shanti ,Adhi-Bhotik, Adhi -Atmic and Adhi- Devic .
THE SATVIC EFFEECTS OF BAILVA LEAVES
It is believed that they reduce the raja-tama particles present in the atmosphere When the bailva leaves are brought in proximity of a person suffering from negative energy like anger and destruction then the black energy present within him is reduced by the attraction of non manifest and manifest divine frequencies of chaitanya of Shiva form emitted from bel leafs in the form of circles which disintegrate the black energy thus reducing the negativity.
PURANIC LEGENDS CONNECTING BAILVA LEAVES WITH LORD SHIVA
According to the Agni Purana, on any auspicious day in bhadra, Shiva should be worshipped with a daylong fast and the eating of bailva leaves at night The Padma Purana and the Brahma Purana say that Shiva once hid in the bel to escape conquering demons. The SkandaPurana holds that the bel grew from Parvati’s perspiration, which fell to the ground while she performed penance. It also says that the various incarnations of Parvati reside in each part of the tree.
PURANIC LEGENDS CONNECTING BEL TREE AND FRUITS WITH LORD SHIVA
One night Lord Shiva’s devotee, a hunter, lost his way in the forest. While wandering at night, he heard a tiger growl. Frightened he scurried up the nearest tree that was a bailva tree. He spent the night up there, out of the reach of tigers. To keep himself awake, he kept plucking and dropping Bel leaves while chanting the name of Lord Shiva. The next morning, when he climbed down, he had unknowingly dropped thousands of leaves on a Shiva linga. The night-long worship pleased Lord Shiva who saved him from the tiger.
THE BILVASHAKTAM MANTRA IS CHANTED WHEN OFFERING BILVA LEAVES
LakshmyaaschastanautpannamMahaadevasadaapriyam, BilvavrikshamprayachchhaamiekabilvamShivaarpanam.Darshanambilvavrikshasyasparshanampaapanaashanam, Aghorapaapasamhaaramekabilvamshivarpanam.
The translation: Born from the heart of Goddess Lakshmi, the bailva tree is ever dear to Mahadeva. So I ask this tree to offer one bilva leaf to Lord Shiva. Even if one sees the bilva tree, and touches it, he is surely freed from sin. The most terrible karma is destroyed when a bilva leaf is offered to Lord Shiva.
GODDESSES LIVING ON THE BAILVA TREE
SkandaPurana narrates that one day while Parvati was resting some drops of sweat fell from her forehead on the mountainMandara, from which grew the bailva tree. Girija lives on the root, Maheswari on its shoulder, Dakshayani on its branches, Parvati among its leaves, Katyayani in its fruit, Gauri in its flowers while in thorns the numerous shaktis find a home. Lakshmi the Goddess of Wealth also lives in the bailva tree.
MEDICINAL VALUE OF BAILVA TREE
Its roots ,fruits and leafs have been used from times immemorial in traditional systems of medicine particularly in Ayurveda.They are known to relieve diarrhea ,dysentery ,constipation ,peptic ulcer and respiratory infections .they are anti diabetic ,anti microbial ,anti inflammatory,antipyretic,analgesic ,cardio protective ,anti spermogenic ,aphrodisiac, anti cancer and radio protective . It is taken in the form of drink made from the fruit ( belsharbat) chewing of leaves and powdered roots ,Patent medicines are also available .
SHOULD YOU PLANT A BAILVA TREE IN YOUR COMPOUND?
As the shade of this tree should not fall on the building and the people should never rest under the shade of these trees, Bailva trees should not be planted in the open space surrounding the building as per VastuShastra. Except Neem most other trees including Bailva emit carbon dioxide at night. Carbon dioxide is harmful to the human being .It is advised that they be planted on roadsides.