बिल्व-पत्र, बेलपत्र (बेलपत्ते) - Belpatra, Bael Leaves ! An important item for Shiva's worship

हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें

बेलपत्ता, Belpatra, "राम" written Bael leaves
are offered to Shiva

                Bilva-Patra is the leaf of one of the sacred trees in the Hindu religion called Bael (बेल). Its holiness is comparable to Tulsi leaves. In fact, Bilva-Patra is to Shiva what Tulsi leaves are to Vishnu. Bael is known by Stone apple, Wood apple, Golden Apple or Bengal Quince in English. In Hindi, it is commonly known as Bael or Bel and a leaf of Bel is Bel-Patta. The scientific name is "Aegle Marmelos". Bilva-Patra is the Sanskrit name.  

                   According to Hindu mythology, it has emerged from the heart of Goddess Lakshmi. It is clear from sixth "Shloka" of "Bilvashtakam" as follows:- 

                              लक्ष्म्याः स्तनत उत्पन्नं महादेवस्य च प्रियम् 

                              बिल्ववृक्षं प्रयच्छामि   बिल्वपत्रं शिवार्पणं ।6।

Lakshmya stanat utpannam mahadevasya ch priyam

bilvavriksham prayachchhami bilvapatram shivarpanam.

(Meaning: I offer this bael tree which has emerged from the heart of Goddess Lakshmi and liked by Mahadev. So I offer Bilva-Patra to God Shiva.) 

               A leaf of Bilva-Patra is a compound leaf which contains three leaflets. This three leafleted Bilva-Patra is loved by Shiva which is offered to Him. Rarely it happens that more than three leaflets grow in the leaf which becomes a point of curiosity among the devotees. I have seen such leaves being sold at a higher price in the campus of Baba Baidyanathdham Temple complex. But these leaves should not be offered to Shiva as it is clear from first "Shloka" of "Bilvashtakam" as follows:-

त्रिदलं  त्रिगुणाकारं  त्रिनेत्रं  च  त्रयायुधम् 

त्रिजन्म पापसंहारम् बिल्वपत्रं शिवार्पणं ।1। 

Tridalam trigunakaram trinetram ch tryaudham
trijanma pap-sanharam bilvapatra Shivarpanam.

(Meaning: The three leafleted Bilva-patra that has three qualities of Sat, raj and tam, that represents three eyes of Shiva and three weapons, that destroys the sins of three births, I offer that Bilva-Patra to God Shiva.) 

 

Soft, non-torn, without holes
and spotless Bilva-Patra,
that is liked by Shiva

                  This "Shloka" is also spoken while offering Bilva-Patra to Shiva. In addition to three leaflets, it should be soft, without holes, without spots (दाग) and unbroken. The thicker part of the 'Belpatta' twig (डंठल) which is connected to the tree(called vajra) should be removed. While offering to Shiva or other gods, the 'Belpatra' should be put upside down i.e. smooth face touching the 'Linga' and tip away from the devotee. There is an eight "Shloka" "Bilvashtakam" which describes the importance of Bilva-Patra. It is given at this link:-  Importance of Bilva-Patra in Shiv-Pujan.  

                Before offering the leaves, they are touched or sprinkled with white sandalwood paste (चन्दन). Not only Shiva but all members of Shiva family (शिव परिवार) including Nandi the Guard is offered Bilva-Patra. Ganesh, Gouri (Shakti) and her Avatars like Durga & Kaali and Kartikeya all are offered Bilva-Patra. Since Shiva is like a devotee of Rama, So some people write "राम" with sandalwood paste (चन्दन) or Kunkum (कुंकुम) on the leaflets and offer it to Shiva. Hanuman is an avatar of Shiva and also called 'Rudra avatar', so 'Bilva-Patra' is also offered to Hanuman.  

                 Some devotees think that three leaflets of Bilva-Patra represent three eyes of Shiva:- Two lower leaflets as two normal eyes and one upper leaflet as the third eye on the forehead. 

                  As in any temple in North India, the Pundit gives "Charanamrit" (Holy water with Tulsi leaves) to devotees, similarly, in Bhubaneswar, a Pundit at Shiva temple gives Holy water with a piece of Bilva-Patra.  

                       The number of Bilva-Patra offered to Shiva may vary from one to more than lakhs depending upon availability and affordability of the person. I have seen one lakh and twenty-five thousand (सवा लाख) Bilva-Patras being offered to Baba Basukinath by some devotees in the month of "Saavan" and "Aashaadh". 

                    Though it is a practice that something offered to Gods are not offered again, but in the case of Bilva-Patra if it not available to someone and he sees some Bilva-Patras put over Shiva-lingam then he may take it, wash it and again offer it to Shiva. Shiva is so kind to his devotees that He even accepts the imaginary offerings equally. As in the first stanza of "Shiva Manas Pujan Stotram" many things including Bilva-Patra is offered in imagination:- 

Ratnaih kalpitam aasanam himjalaih snanam ch divyambaram

Nana ratna vibhooshitam    mrigmadamodankitam chandanam

jatichampakvilvapatra  rachitam  pushpam  ch  dhoopam tatha

Deepam dev  dayanidhe  pashupate   hritkalpitam  grihyataam.

Silver Bilva-Patra

              One of the twelve famous "Jyotirlinga" - Kedarnath - is situated at a height on the Himalayas and difficult to access. People have to either go on foot or on horses for more than 15 km. At such places, Bilva-Patra is hardly available. So Bilva-Patra and Trishool made of Silver is offered to Shivalinga Kedarnath. Of course, after offering it is returned to the devotee as "Prasadam". Silver Belpatra is available on Amazon also at THIS LINK.

Silver Trishool

               Not only Bael-leaves but Bael fruit and flowers are also offered to Shiva. Flowers are available only for a few days in a year and surrounded by honey bees, so it rarely possible to get it. But when it flowers between last week of April to the first week of May, the whole surrounding is charged with its divine fragrance. Bael fruit is available nearly throughout the year and it is offered to Shiva.

Bael Flowers on a branch
~Oh! That divine fragrance~

 

               Hindu month of "Savan" is the special month in which Shiva-Pujan has great importance. In this month demand for Bilva-Patra and Bael fruits increases many folds. 

                  We know that Goddess Kali is offered goats as "Bali" (बलि). Before the "Bali Puja," the Pundit helps to perform "Sankalp -संकल्प" with the goat in which Bilva-Patra with Akshat is put over the goat after speaking some mantras. Then this Bilva-Patra and Akshat are fed to the goat just before the "Bali".

                  For keeping bad effects of "Grahas" away in astrology, a piece of the root of Bael tree empowered with worship and mantras is worn as 'Talisman'. It is also useful in the control of Blood Pressure, anger and chronic diseases. 

              The Bael fruit itself has medicinal and nutritional value. Ripe Bael fruit is very good for the stomach. The soft part (गूदा) is sweet though sticky and seeds are swallowed not chewed. In the summer season, it is very good for health. "Bael Sharbat" (बेल शरबत - Cold Drink of Bael fruit) along with roasted raw mango 'Sharbat' is popular in Northern India and is available with "Thelawalas" in the streets. 

                Devotees plant this tree in their house campus for Bilva-Patra and the fruits. Bilva-tree on the campus helps to make one's name, fame and wealth grow. Not only this since the tree of Bael represents Shiva himself, after getting up from the bed in the morning people see and say 'namaskar' to the tree and speak this "Shloka",

Darshanam Bilva Vrikshasya Sparshnam Papnashnam

Aghor    Papsanharam     Bilvapatram     Shivarpanam.

                       The worship of Shiva-linga under a 'Bilva-Tree' is very fruitful. Watering a 'Bilva-Tree' with simple 'Jalam' or 'Gangajalam' gives the 'Punya' of visiting all 'Tirthas'. Putting the water from near the root of this tree on the forehead destroys all "Papam".
            Belpatra and many of its products are available at Amazon at this LINK.

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Jasmine flower ... बेली के फूल (Mogra)

Jasmine flower and Buds
बेली के फूल 

                 Jasmine is one of the fragrant flowers that is used in Hindu worship. Strong and lovely fragrance along with milky white color makes it a suitable flower to offer to Gods as well as for personal use. It may be offered to all kinds of Gods but Shiva, Vishnu, Saraswati and Surya are specially worshiped with this flower. 

              It is also used to decorate the temples on auspicious occasions and "Mandapas" in marriages. Its garland is worn by women at braids (चोटी) and in hands, it is called "Gajaraa" in Hindi. Its fragrance is said to act as an aphrodisiac. So it is also used on or near the beds of newlywed couples. 

Jasmine flower - बेली फूल 

                      The flowers were used by rich and nobles to make the bathing waters scented just like rose petals. At some places, Hindus too give a jasmine water bath to idols of God. At the famous temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri, Orissa, a festival named "Chandan Yatra" is organized each year on 'Baishakh shukla tritiya' to 'jyeshtha krishna ashtami' (according to Hindu calender) in which idols of Madanmohan, Ram-Krishna, Laxmi-Saraswati and Panchmahadev are taken to 'Chandan Talab' for giving them a bath and boating. This bath is performed with water flavored by sandalwood paste (Chandan) and jasmine flowers. South Indian temples use jasmine flowers on a large scale. Thick garlands are made with it which weighs many kilograms. It is used to decorate Venkata idols like at "Meenakshi Sundareshwar" temple at Madurai. Madurai is famous for cultivation and production of jasmine flowers.

                Besides domestic use, jasmine has also industrial uses where it is mostly used to produce perfumes and scents (Itra). Incense sticks of jasmine fragrance is produced and sold as ''Mogra Agarbatti" in the market which is liked by devotees to use in the worship. 

Jasmine plant in flower pot
गमले में बेली  का पौधा 

                   Jasmine is called as "Baily" flower in Hindi. This name may be due to the similar strong fragrance of 'Bael' flowers (Bael tree is a holy tree for Hindus, its fruit in English is known as Stone apple/ wood apple. May read the blog - Importance of 'Bilva Patra' in "Shiv-Pujan" and Bilvastak). Many people do not notice the flowers on 'Bael' tree because they come only for four to five days in the month of May and all the flowers bloom nearly together. Its strong fragrance and nectar-filled flowers attract honey bees in a large number. These honey bees quietly do their work on the 'Bael' tree. These flowers can be offered to Shiva. The "Baily" name of jasmine may have come from the similarity of "Bael" flowers but the plants are quite different. While "Bael" is a tree the jasmine plant is a herb. It is a perennial plant and can be found in almost all Indian gardens. It begins to flower as soon as the Winter season in India ends and Spring starts. Jasmine flowers make the Summer evenings fragrant. Two types of jasmine are found - the first one has round petals while the other has long petals. The round petal variety is a double flower with many white petals. The long petal variety is single layered and named as Indian Jasmine or Downy Jasmine in English but in Sanskrit, it is called "Kund" (कुंद). Except this, there is no other noticeable difference in the plant or fragrance.  The "Kund" (कुंद) flower is known for its whiteness in Sanskrit just like snow in English. If anything is very white, it is compared to snow as white as snow. In Hindi or Sanskrit, it is compared to Kund flowers. For example, recall the "Doha" in Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas in which he compares the color of the body of God Shiva to Kund a flower. It is like this,

Kund Indu Sam Deh Uma Raman karuna Ayan,

Jahi Deen par Neh Karahu Kripa Mardan Mayan.

{The God whose body is like Kund flower and the Moon (White and brilliant), loves Goddess Parvati, has affection on poor, that Shiva who did repression of Kamdeva be pleased on me}
                  Some people like to plant it as a hedge in the garden and some plant it separately. Its propagation is done by cutting. It can be planted even in flower pots to be put on the balcony in flats of apartments.     

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आम्र पल्लव (आम के पत्ते) - The Mango Leaves

Sacred Leaves

आम्र पल्लव (आम के पत्ते) - The Mango Leaves

               Mango leaves are used on auspicious occasions and in special Hindu worships. Be it a "Vivaha" (Marriage), Worship of "Satyanarayan Swami", "Grih Pravesh Puja" (Worship on the occasion of shifting to newly built house) or "Yajna - Homa"; mango leaves are necessary. Just like Lord Ganesha who brings auspiciousness and keeps evil eyes away, so is the effect of mango leaves. Base twigs of mango leafs are fastened to a string at regular interval of about six inches so that it hangs downwards. This string with hanging mango leaves is stretched over gates as "Torana" or fastened all around the house, marriage Mandap or "Yajna-Mandap". After worship the holy water called "Shanti-jala" (water that keeps peace) is sprinkled with a bunch of mango leaves over devotees and the devotees cover their feet with body clothes so that "Shanti-jala" should fall over the body and does not touch their feet. 

 

Mango leafs in "Toranam"

             In most of the worships related to Vishnu a pot full of water is placed near the God, it is call "Kalasha" or "Kalasham". On the "Kalash" is kept five green leafed bunch of mango leafs. Over it is kept a husked coconut. The things of worship that is kept inside the "Kalash" water differ from region to region. Outer side of the "Kalash" is decorated with rice paste and vermilion (Sindoor) and similarly the coconut is wrapped in red cloth.

                 In the process of "Homa" (होम) "Aahuti" (आहुति) of different things are put in the fire. One of these offerings is that of Ghee (Clarified butter from cow's milk) which is taken with a long handled spoon shaped wooden stick. If this thing is not available in small scale "homa" the priest allows to pour ghee in the fire with a mango leaf which tip is broken.

                    Marriage is such an occasion in which lots of people gather and bride and bridegroom are at the center of attraction all. So keep evil eyes away a ritual involving mango leaf is performed in eastern part of India. On the day of marriage the pundit wraps a mango leaf in thread (Kuchcha Dhaga) and ties to right wrist of bridegroom and to left wrist of bride. It is called "Kangan". This "Kangan" of mango leaf is only put off after the ritual worship of fourth day of marriage (Chaturthi) and then they are supposed to start physical relationship of their conjugal life. The mango leafs also signify fertility and God Kamadeva, this is also a reason to use it in marriages.

                   In fact all parts of a mango tree is used in worship, be it mango wood, mango flower (Amra Manjari - ) or mango fruit itself about which I will write in some blogs in future.

A mango tree laden with Mango Flowers, आम्र मञ्जरी 

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