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| Bilva Patragardenworld.in |
Above image:The Bilva tree (Aegle marmelos), also known as Bael, Bel, or Stone Apple, is a sacred deciduous tree in India revered in Hinduism, especially for Lord Shiva worship, due to its trifoliate leaves symbolizing the divine trinity, and its significant Ayurvedic medicinal properties for digestion, immunity, and more. It's found near temples and homes, with all parts of the tree being potent for spiritual rituals and traditional remedies, offering wellness and good fortune(wikipedia).......
Bilva symbolizes God Shiva's three eyes, the three main gods of Hinduism(Trinity gods), and the three main gunas of nature. At Shiva temple, offering of a soft rustle of leaves is offered to the deity with utmost devotion. These are three humble leaflets only, But in those three, is encompassed a universe of meaning, myth, and worship.
Srikanteshwara temple,Nanjanagudu,
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Bilva leaves are dear to Lord Shiva or Mahadeva and they have close links with Mahalakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. Bilva tree (in Tamil: Vilvamaram) is sacred to the Hindus and Bilva tree(s) is grown in all major Shiva temples. Besides Lakshmi, Goddess Parvati, Goddess Gauri live in this sacred tree. Bilva leaves are widely used by the priests for temple ritual and prayers, particularly when chanting mantras in Sanskrit. This practice has been in vogue for several centuries. The tree, being holy and dear to Lord shiva, the dry trunk should not be cut to pieces and used as fuel. The Santhal tribes of Northern India worship the tree stumps and offer prayers. Hindus believe that our Karma will get considerable relief if Bilva leaves are offered to the Shiva Linga - a way of reducing our sins committed knowingly or un-knowingly. The trifoliate form of leaves symbolize the trident that Shiva holds in his right hand.
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| worship of a lingam - en.wikipedia.org |
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| Bilva leaf dubbarajanna.info |
The Bilva tree or Bael ( Aegle Marmelos) tree grows in many parts of India under different tropical and soil conditions. Bael tree can sustain different temperatures, PH values of soil and can grow where no other trees take life. Bael fruit taste like citrus fruit The tree is characteristic of tall growth with strong rough trunk and thorny in nature. Besides Shiva temples, Bilva leaves are used for the worship of Goddess Durga or Kali. Prana Prathista is performed using Bilva leaves by chanting certain mantras by the priest. It simply means energizing or transferring life force to the idol. Once the process is complete, energy is released called Visarjan
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| bilvapatra getswww.icmag.com |
Above image:Bilvapatra personifies Shiva tatva. offering bilva patra to the Shivpindi on Mahashivratri is a sacred duty the stalk of the bilvapatra
Bilva has high medicinal values. Leaves, roots and fruits are used for ayurvedic medical preparations to treat may ailments. Bael fruit tastes like citrus fruit and is rich in vitamin C. Single Bilva leaf is a combination of three or five or seven leaflets.
Belpatra, (Bilva), according to the scriptures and Ayurveda, has great medicinal values and is quite beneficial for health. Bilva leaf's trifoliate shape represents the three Gunas, namely Sattva, Rajas and Tamas that define a person's personality. The Sattva guna stands for positive energies and lodges in the center of the leaf, while the Tamas is the negative forces. So, when a person is dejected and depressed, he is affected by negative energies. When such a person, it is believed, touches the Belpatra, the positive energies are transferred to him/her.
In an Ekabilvam - single trifoliate bel-patra, Left leaf is Brahma, Right leaf is Vishnu and the middle leaf is Shiva.
With respect to Shiva pooja, besides other ritualistic formalities, offering Bilva leaves is considered to be the most sacred practice. A true devotee should offer only trifoliate - three inseparable leaves called Bila dalam. it is not advisable to offer incomplete Bel -Patra.
The trifoliate leaves of Bilva represent the form of Shiva and also various characteristics of human beings as well. The three faces of a leaf represent the following: 01. Three eyes of Lord Shiva, the third eye being Gnakkann- eye of wisdom, 02. Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara - the three forms or Swaroopa, 03. Three syllables of Aumkara (Omkara) - Akara, Ukara and Makara. One can get rid of darkness caused due to agyanam / ignorance), 04. Bilva dalam represents Srusthi (Creation), Sthithi (Sustaining) and Laya (dissolution), 05. Pooja, Stotra and Gyana, 06. Bilva leaves add positive energy and one can get rid of negative thoughts. Reposted with modification from Navrang India.bogspot.comApril 02, 201
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/soul-search/the-untold-reason-of-offering-bel-patra-a-simple-leaf-with-the-weight-of-the-universe/photostory/122379468.cms
https://www.indianmirror.com/culture/indian-folklore/Bilva-Tree.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trees_in_mythology
By K.N.Jayaraman
