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.
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.
Belpatra and many of its products are available at Amazon at this LINK.
===<<<O>>>===
No comments:
Post a Comment