Bilva leaves are known to be Lord Shiva’s favourite, and are commonly used while worshipping him. The trifoliate or three-leaf structure of Bilva leaves has a unique symbolism, which is one of the reasons why Bel patra is offered to Lord Shiva.
Generations have been following what ancient texts state about the link between Bilva leaves and Lord Shiva. Due to the symbolism of these leaves and their significance in mythology, devotees have been worshipping Lord Shiva with Bilva leaves since ages. Even today, the worship or puja of Lord Shiva is incomplete without Bel leaves. On occasions like Mahashivratri and religious ceremonies where Lord Shiva is worshipped, it is customary to include Bilva leaves as offerings to the Lord.
Mystic Wisdom
However, why would one plant be more sacred than the other, you may ask, or why Bilva leaves are dear to Lord Shiva? Sadhguru has an apt answer. He says that the true meaning of Bel leaves being Shiva’s favourite is that their reverberance is closest to what we refer to as Shiva. He further states that ideally, when you offer a Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva, you should take it with you after offering, as Lord Shiva’s energy absorbed by the leaf, will thus, stay with you. This energy will help you achieve wellness and peace.
Significance of Offering Bilva Leaves to Lord Shiva
The Bel plant also has a high medicinal value. Its leaves, fruit and bark find applications in Ayurveda. Due to its health benefits and spiritual importance, having a Bel plant is considered auspicious and Hindus commonly use the Bilva leaves in their daily puja, but why do we offer Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva? Find out now.
According to certain Hindu scriptures, the Bel tree was created from the sweat drops of Goddess Parvati. Skanda Purana says that drops of sweat fell from Goddess Parvati’s forehead, and from them, emerged a tree, which the Goddess named as Bilva. It is believed that she resides in the tree in all her forms and that every part of the Bel tree contains Goddess Parvati. So, the leaves of Bilva tree are considered ideal for worshipping Lord Shiva.
In the Shiva Purana, certain things that please Lord Shiva have been stated, and one of them is Bilva leaves.
According to Shiva Purana, the Bilva tree is a manifestation of Lord Shiva and that one who worships the Shiva Linga sitting under a Bilva tree can attain the state of Lord Shiva.
The trifoliate structure of Bilva leaves is said to represent the trinity of creation, preservation and destruction, which is why the Bel leaves are offered to Lord Shiva.
The trifoliate structure is said to also denote the three divine eyes of Lord Shiva and the trident.
The three-leaf structure signifies the three syllables of AUM, the sound of the Universe’s creation and that which resonates with Lord Shiva.
Bilva leaves are said to be capable of absorbing Shiva’s energy and it is believed that one who offers these leaves to Lord Shiva, can gain some of his energy.
As per the Puranas, if Bilva leaves are offered to Lord Shiva during his worship, he grants all our wishes.
Lord Shiva is depicted as angry on those who pose a threat to the good. Devotees offer Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva with the intent to calm him. Bel leaves have a cooling effect on the body, and hence, they are believed to be effective in soothing the angry Shiva. Scientifically speaking, Bel patra leaves have a cooling effect, and are used to cool the Agni tattva of Lord Shiva.
The Tale of the Hunter and the Bel Tree
A popular story about offering Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva goes like this. Once a hunter was wandering in a forest. He got frightened of tigers and other wild animals, and for safety, he climbed up a Bel tree and spent the night there. To stay awake, he plucked leaves of the tree and dropped them down. Incidentally, there was a Shiv Linga below that tree and the leaves were falling on it. The hunter remembered Lord Shiva and chanted his mantras through the night. Lord Shiva, pleased with his devotion, bestowed mercy upon him.
