The #Religious Significance and #Medicinal Properties of #Vilva #Bilva or #BelPatra

We cannot imagine a puja for Lord Shiva without the sacred Bilva leaves also known as Bel Patra or Vilvam. Offering of the Bilva leaf with devotion has a deep religious significance, as Mahadev is said to bless the devotee with whatever he wishes for. 

 The Bel Patra is trifoliate and, as per Hindu belief, symbolizes the holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.  The trifoliate Bilva is said to represent the three eyes of Lord Shiva and the three syllables of the Omkara, namely Akara, Ukara and Makara. It is also said to represent the three spokes of the sacred Trishul. Yet another interpretation is that the Bilva personifies the three gunas, namely, the Satva, Rajas and Tamas, and the middle portion of the Bel patra indicates the perfect balance of the three gunas.

According to the Skanda Purana, while Goddess Parvati was performing penance to get Mahadev as her husband, drops of perspiration fell on the Mandrachal mountain and Bilva trees grew from these sweat droplets. Hence it is believed that Goddess Parvati resides in the leaves, flowers, fruits, roots and all parts of the Vilva tree.

Girija - Root

Maheshwari – Stem

Dakshayani or Sati - branches

 Parvati – Leaves

Gowri – Flowers

Katyayani – Fruits

Another belief is that Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth resides in the Bilva tree as it was born from her breasts. People believe that by even having a darshan of the Bilva tree and touching it, you can be freed from sins.  

Just like the Tulsi is said to be dear to Lord Vishnu, the Bel Patra is held dear by Mahadev and it is believed that offering even one Bel Patra to Lord Shiva with sincere devotion can free a person from their sin or ailment. Devotees worship Lord Shiva with Bilva leaves while reciting the sacred Bilvasthakam. 

The Bel Patra is said to absorb Mahadev’s energy. Hence we generally find devotees taking back home a leaf or two to transfer a little of this positive energy to themselves.

There is a very interesting story of a hunter who was in the forest to hunt for his food.  Even by nightfall, he had not found any animal. Scared by the appearance of a Lion, he climbed a tree. Neither was he aware that it was a Bilva tree, nor did he see the Shivaling under the tree. To keep awake and pass time during the night, he kept plucking the leaves and dropping them below. The Bel patras were falling on the Shivaling. Lord Shiva was pleased with the continuous offering of the Bilva leaves and saved the hunter from the lion.

Another story from the Shiva Puran goes, that a hunter who was searching for food on Maha shivaratri day, did not find anything to eat. At night, he climbed unknowingly atop a Bilva tree to spot his prey. There was a Shivaling below the tree and a pot of water was hanging above, which the hunter did not see. When he moved a little, the water pot would shake and water would fall down on the Shivaling. He also plucked many of the leaves inadvertently and dropped them down until the Shivaling below was covered with Bilva leaves. So without being aware of his actions, he had fasted during the Maha Shivaratri day and also worshipped Lord Shiva with Bel Patras and water. His mind was getting purified. Just then a deer appeared. The hunter happily aimed his arrow at the deer, but the deer asked him to wait till he bid goodbye to his mate and children. For the first time in his life, the hunter felt sympathy for the deer and agreed. After some time the mate came searching for the first deer and then the child deer. Each of them requested the hunter for some time to bid goodbye to their family and overcome by kindness, he agreed. The deer family appeared together in front of the hunter to keep their word, but by then his mind was completely purified. He did not want to kill animals anymore and in turn asked the deer to forgive him. Hearing this, Lord Shiva gave him darshan. The hunter fell at Lord Shiva’s feet and turned into a great devotee and achieved salvation.

The Bilva tree (Aegle Marmelos) also called the Wood Apple, is also known for its medicinal properties. According to the Ayurveda, the Bilva fruits and leaves are antibacterial and anti fungal and can be used to treat various stomach related ailments and gastric ulcers. The extract of the Bilva leaf can be used to control Cholesterol levels in the blood, control blood sugar levels, and cure respiratory disorders like Asthma and common cold.  Inflammation is also said to be quickly cured when the extract of Bel Patra is applied on the inflamed region. This is due to its anti inflammatory property.  

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