कुश /कुशा - Halfa Grass !

A Ring of Darbha/Kusha Grass - Halfa grass

कुश /कुशा - Halfa Grass is an important thing in Sanatan Hindu worship. Before starting the puja when a devotee makes himself pure with the sprinkling of water with mantras over himself, he wears a ring of "Kusha" grass in his ring finger of right hand. It is said that worship without wearing a "Kusha" ring is fruitless. One can notice that when we invite a Pundit Ji for Satyanarayan Puja he would bring the "Kusha" ring with him and advise to wear it in the beginning. Even the small mat called "Aasani-आसनी" is taken as most pure that is made of "Kusha" grass. It is advisable to use "Kusha Aasani-कुश आसनी" as a seat during worship. "Kusha Aasani-कुश आसनी" is also used in meditation (Dhyana-ध्यान). Even in Buddhism, it is an accepted fact. Lord Buddha used to meditate sitting on a "Kusha Aasani-कुश आसनी". So it is a holy grass and there are some rules to uproot it even for the purpose of worship.

                 Though it is a perennial herb, it is uprooted only on one day in a year and that too not in an unlimited quantity. It is plucked only up to the need. This one day is the no-moon day in the Hindu Month of "Bhadon" (भाद्रपद अमावस्या). It is also called "Kushgrahani Amawasya". Before uprooting it the devotee sits keeping the grass either to the east or to the North. And also a Mantra is spoken

Viranchina Sahotpanna Parmeshthinnisagarja

Nud Sarvani Ppapani Darbh Swastikaro Bhava |

Hum fat.

"Darbh" in this Mantra is another name for "Kusha" grass. There are many varieties of "Kusha" grass anyone can be used but it should be well shaped. In this year 2016 "Kushgrahani Amawasya" is on 1st September.
                It is said that during the churning of the ocean by Devas and Danavas in Hindu mythology, "Amrita" came out. Both sides wanted it. In the quarrel, a few drops of it fell on the "Kusha" grass, so not only it became long lasting but became holy too.
            Kusha rings and Puja mats are available in the local market and also online at Amazon. Links for some items are given below:-
1. Kusha/Darbha Ring
2. Kusha Aasan/Mats 
3. Kusha sleeping mats/Meditation Mats 

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Kalash-कलश !

Kalash/कलश 

                In Sanatana Hindu Religion it is believed that all Gods come and stay at different parts of Kalash when invited. It is also believed to be auspicious like symbols of 'Swastik' and 'Aum'. In almost all important worships and "Samskaaras" like Durgapuja, Satyanarayan Puja, Wedding, Upanayan etc, the 'Kalash' is placed to invoke Gods. In many shops or offices of commercial  institutions one may see 'Kalash' at the small place of worship where idols of Ganesh and Lakshmi are worshiped daily. In simple worships like 'Satyanarayan Puja' simple 'Kalash' like in picture above may be made in which a metal (Copper or Bronze) pot or earthen pot is decorated and used. It is placed over "Akshat" and filled with Pure Water (शुद्ध जल) then  "Aamra-pallava"  is places over it. A good and dry coconut with water inside is wrapped with thin red cotton cloth called "Saaluk" in a way shown in above picture. It is placed over the  "Aamra-pallava" with the tip vertically upward. Vermilion lines are drawn over it and when worship starts different gods are invoked in it with proper 'Mantras' and accordingly worshiped. 

"Kalash" in special worship

                In detailed worship like "Praan Pratistha", first the place on the ground is touched by the "Yajmaan" and there "Ashtadal Kamal" (अष्टदल कमल)is made with 'Kumkum' etc. saying its 'Mantra'. In fact for each step there is a Mantra which I am not writing here because these are performed by the "Pundit" and no need to keep it in memory. Here its detail is given only for the general knowledge in worship.

           2nd step- One 'ser' (before kilogram got popular, ser was used as a unit of weight which was a bit more than kg) "Saptadhanya" is poured over the place with Mantra.  

               3rd step- Over it the pot of 'Kalash' is put with Mantra. 

           4th step- "Shuddh Jala" (Pure water) is poured in the pot with Mantra.

               5th step- "Gandh" (Scent like Chandan) is put in and over the "Kalash" with Mantra.  

              6th step- "Sarvoshadhi" (Literal meaning is all medicines) is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.

               7th step- "Durva" (Doob Grass) is put  in the "Kalash" with Mantra.   

                 8th step- "Panch-pallava" (Five types of leaf bunches)  is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.  

                  9th step- For more purity a "Pavitri" made from 'Kusha' grass is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.   

                 10th step- "Sapta-mritti" (soils from Seven different specified places)  is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.     

                     11th step- "Pungifal" (Betel nut- पुंगीफल, सुपारी)  is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.    

               12th step- "Panch-ratna" (Five types of precious stones)  is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.  

                       13th step- Gold is put in the "Kalash" with Mantra.

                    14th step- The "Kalash" is wrapped with two clothes saying Mantra. 

                      15th step- Another copper pot is filled with "Akshat"  and put over 'Kalash' with Mantra.  

                         16th step- A coconut wrapped in red cloth is put over this copper pot on 'Kalash'.  

                 In the last, God Varuna is invoked in the 'Kalash' along with his parts, family, weapons and powers and saying 

A Kalash in Sri Satyanarayan Puja

"ॐ अप्पतये वरुणाय नमः"  Different gods are invoked on the "Kalash" with following shlokas,

Kalash Adhishthapan - Aawahan and Stuti

As it can be seen in above Mantra that almost all gods come at different parts of the "Kalash" when invoked, so it is an important part of Hindu Worship.
Note:- Beautiful metallic Puja Kalash and painted marble Chonki are available at Amazon at THIS LINK.  

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जलम् , गंगाजलं - Holy Water and Water of Holy River Ganga - Gangajal !

             

Gangajal in "Arghi" & "Panchapatra" made of copper

                        Water is the most essential thing in a Hindu worship. Its use starts even before the worship of God. Holiness (Called Shuchita or Pavitrta in Hindi or Sanskrit) is the most important in Hindu worship and it is attained by cleaning things and taking bath with water. The place of worship and pots & utensils of worship are cleaned with water.                

Holy dip in River Ganga at Sultanganj, Bihar

                The devotee takes a dip in the river, pond or pours water drawn from a well before preparing for worship. But the most desired water body is the Holy River Ganga. Even the clothes he wears are washed in water and dried beforehand. Be it a "Panchopachar Puja" or "Shodashopachar Puja", pure water is taken in "Panchpatra" from which water is taken out with a spoon like thing called "Araghi" to give the God a bath (Snanam-स्नानं). If available the devotee prefers "Gangajal" for this purpose. 
               Before the worship of "Satyanarayana Swami" the God represented by "Shaligram" stone is given a bath and this water is collected and distributed as "Charanamrit" after worship. "Satyanarayana Swami" or Vishnu and His avatars are given a bath once and after His worship, devotees get only "darshan" in the temples but in Shiva's worship, it is a continuous process. Whenever a devotee comes he pours as much water or "Gangajal" on Shivalinga to start the worship because Shiva likes water-pouring and if the water is "Gangajal" He is even more pleased. In "Rudrabhishek" the pure water or Ganga water is poured continuously till the "Rudraashtadhyayi" chanting by Pundits goes on. For this uninterrupted water pouring a horn-shaped vessel made of brass or copper is used which is called "Singhi". In Hindi "Singh" means horn so due to horn shape it got its name as "Singhi". It is held in hand with wider end up and thinner end down. The thinner end has a small hole from which the water comes out as a stream when it is filled. During "Rudrabhishek" this continuous stream is made to fall on "Shivalinga". After "Rudrabhishek" flowers of worship and things that Shiva likes are offered on Shivalinga.
                    Importance of water increases in the worship of Shiva in Savan Month and the "Rudrabhishek" in Savan Month is the most fruitful. People bring Ganga water on their shoulders from Sultanganj and pour it over to "Baidyanath Jyotirlinga" at Deoghar and "Nagesh Jyotirlinga" at "Basukinathdham" in the month of Savan. (Though there is a more famous "Nagesh Jyotirlinga" near Dwarika, Gujarat).
                  Even in daily worship the devotee makes himself "Pavitra" by sprinkling water over himself and chanting the following mantra:-

Aum Apavitro Pavitro Va Sarvawastham Gatopi Va

yah Smaret Pundariyakasham Sa Vahyabhyantarah Shuchih

aum pundariyakashah punatu!

aum pundariyakashah punatu!

aum pundariyakashah punatu!

                    Water is also used for "Achaman" when a few drops of water is taken on the palm and thrown in self-mouth three times chanting thus:-

Aum Keshawaya Namah !

Aum Narayanaya Namah !

Aum Madhawaya Namah !

                       At the start of worship Gods are requested to come, means "Aawahanam", then "Pratishthapanam, Aasanam, Padyam and Arghyam". Next, the water is also offered to Gods for "Achamanam and Snanam (Bath)". For each step, 'Mantras' are there for different gods. For example mantra for Ganesha is as follows,

For "Achamanam"

Sarva Ttirth Samayuktam Sugandhi Nirmalam Jalam|

Aachamyatam  Mayadattam  Grihan Vighneshwar !

For "Snanam (Bath)"

Mandakinyastu yadwari   sarvapapharam shubham |

Tadidam kalpitam dev ! snanartham pratigrihyatam||

                After the first bath gods are given different kinds of the bath like "Panchamrit Snanam", milk bath, curd bath, ghee bath, honey bath and cane juice bath. These different kinds of bath make sticky so again the second bath is given by water which is called "Shuddhodak Snanam" and again "Achamanam" water is offered. Next gods are decorated with different things of worship. When decoration is complete He/She is offered fruits and sweets as "Naivedyam" to eat. As one needs water to drink after taking food similarly "Achaman Jal" is also offered to gods after offering "Naivedyam" saying thus 'Idam Achamane Jalam Samarpyami'. There are also 'Mantras' for offering this "Achaman Jal" to different gods. For example, Ganesha is offered "Achaman Jal" with following 'Mantra',

Ganadhip!        Namastubhyam    Gaurisut    Gajanana |

Grihan Aaachamaniyam Twam Sarvasiddhi Pradayakam ||

A view of morning 'Arghyam' for Chhath Puja
near a water body at Ranchi, Jharkhand

                 Similarly for "Arghyam" water is used. Anybody who is familiar with "Chhath Puja" which is celebrated with much devotion in Bihar, Jharkhand and Eastern UP knows well that the two times "Arghyam" offered to Sun God is done near a water body like a river, pond, lake or sea. If not available people do it near their house in an open water tank or even in a big open-mouthed pot. For "Arghyam" water is taken in a small pot and poured towards Sun, down in the water body.
                 Even after the completion of worship, the used worship materials are disposed of (Visarjanam) in a water body.
                   As water is the basis of all life forms, same is the case with Hindu worship. Water is essential for all types of Puja and Hindu rituals. 
            For those who can not bring Gangajal from the holy river, it is also available at online site Amazon at This Link.

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दीप (दीपक) - Lamp

 

Deepam, दीपम् - Lamp 

         "Deep" (दीपम्) - Lamp is one of the items of "Panchopachar and Shodashopachar Puja". In fact, it is an essential part of any Hindu worship. As per Hindu philosophy, the whole body of a person is made up of five worldly element - Water, Fire, Air, Earth and Space. Correspondingly in the "Panchopachar Pooja," five things are necessary which represent these five elements. "Deep" (दीपम्) - Lamp represents the fire element. 

              Another reason to offer "Deep (दीपम्)" is that the fire is a god in whose presence only all the worship should be performed. Everything offered to Gods is carried to them by fire god (अग्निदेव) and he remains as a witness to our worship. The "Deep" remains lit throughout the worship. At the end of the worship, the "Aarati" is performed for which another "Deep" is used. At Temples of great importance, the lamp remains lit 24X7 and care is taken so that the lamp is not put off. Such lamps are called "Akhand Deep" in Sanskrit. "Aarati" is also performed near ghats of holy rivers like Ganga. The Ganga "Aarati" at Benaras and Haridwar is famous where thousands of people including that of other religions gather to see the awesome scene.
                    Another worship that is performed with lamps at river ghats is the "Deepdan". In a plate of Sal tree leaves, the river goddess is worshiped with flowers, vermilion, incense sticks and lamps. Then this plate with a lit lamp over the flowers is floated on the surface of river water. The floating series of lamps in the evening presents a fascinating scene.   
                 The thread used to light the lamp is made of cotton which is called "Baati"  while the fuel is mostly clarified butter (Ghee-घी). Sometimes sesame oil is also used as fuel. But if the worship is for "Shani Dev" then mustard oil is used in the lamp (Deepam).   
                 Even without worship, the lamp represents happiness. When Lord Rama returned Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, the whole city was happy and welcomed him with many lamps lit in front of each house. It was such an unprecedented occasion that it began to be celebrated every year till date and became a festival named "Deepawali" - The festival of lights. On this day the Goddess of wealth "Lakshmi" is also worshiped. 
                    Though electric and LED bulbs are widely used on the occasion of "Deepawali" but traditionally earthen lamps with mustard oil or "Karanj" oil is used. Even in daily worship people used earthen lamps in rural areas. These were cheap and used once only. Now brass lamps have replaced the earthen lamps which are durable, unbreakable and reused after cleaning.     
                    Another ritual in Hindu household is the lighting of the lamp in the evening at dusk. At this time of twilight which is also called "Godhuli -Bela" (When cows return to their houses after grazing the whole day in the field), the evening lamp (Sandhya deep) is lit by the ladies and taken to each room, outside the house it is shown to the setting Sun and then to the "Tulsi" plant.
                     Depending upon the provision of the number of threads to be lit in a lamp it is named accordingly. A "Chowmukhi Deep" has four threads in four directions which are used on "Deepawali" in Lakshmi Puja. Another is "Panchmukhi Deep" in which fifth thread is in the vertical direction. A "Navagrah Deep" has eight threads in eight directions and the ninth thread is in the vertical direction which is for Sun god. Thus nine threads are for nine planets.

Akashdeep/Kandeel- A sketch showing
use of six squares made from wire or
bamboo sticks, then covering the
structure with colorful papers

               Another use of earthen lamp is in "Akashdeep" which is known as "Kandeel" in Hindi. It a small framework made of bamboo sticks and covered with glossy or matte colorful papers. Inside it, a lamp is lit whole night while it is hung on a bamboo pole or other high structure. This "Akashdeep" or "Kandeel" is lit from about 10 days before Deepawali to show the way to the spirits of forefathers who visit on that occasion to bless the family. But this tradition is now replaced to a great extent as colorful electric bulbs are used in place of earthen lamps.
             Beautiful "Kandeels" are sold at Amazon near Deepawali. They also sell amazing decorative hanging lights for interior decorations at THIS LINK.

Mantras for offering Lamp in worship
While showing the gods a lit lamp, following mantra is spoken:-

दीपज्योतिर्नमस्तुते।-Deepam 

साज्यं च वर्तिसंयुक्तं वह्निना योजितं मया।

दीपं गृहाण देवेश !    त्रैलोक्यतिमिरापहं।|

भक्त्या दीपं प्रयच्छामि  देवाय परमात्मने।

त्राहि मां निरयाद घोराद दीपज्योतिर्नमस्तुते।।

(Saajyan  ch varti-sanyuktan vahnina yojitan mayaa,

Deepam grihaan devesha ! trailokya-timirapaham.

Bhaktya deepam pryachchhami devaaya parmatmane,

Trahi mam niryaad ghoraad deep-jyotirnamastute.)

Following mantra is spoken in the evening while showing the "Sandhya Deep":--

दीप ज्योतिः परब्रह्म     दीप ज्योतिः जनार्दनः।

दीपज्योतिः लक्ष्मी बस, संध्या देवी नमोस्तुते।।

(Deep Jyotih Parbrahma deep Jyotih Janardanah,

Deepjyotih Lakshmi vasa, Sandhyadevi Namostute)

Note: You can buy "Deep" for puja from the local market or gron the online site like Amazon. Different types of Puja Accessories are available there. They sell beautiful brass Deepak for daily Puja and decorative Deepaks also at THIS LINK.

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यज्ञोपवीत, जनेऊ - Yagyopaveet, Janeu !

Yagyopaveet (Janeu) threads of Mithila region. Each small bundle contains a piece of thread from which Yagyopaveet to wear is prepared. Sometimes each bundle contains a couple of pieces of the thread because a pair of prepared Yagyopaveets is worn in Mithila. 

                     "Yagyopaveet" or "Janeu" (यज्ञोपवीत, जनेऊ) is a sacred thread worn by males in India who follow "Sanatan Hindu" religion. In Sanskrit, it is called "Yagyopaveetam". It is worn during the "Upanayana Sanskaara" which is one of the 16 rituals described for a Hindu male according to ancient Sanskrit text. A "Yagyopaveet" or "Janeu" is made from the white cotton cord which is made up of thin strands of cotton threads. From this cotton cord is made a loop (Size of a garland) which consists of three rounds of unbroken cord and then tied a knot in a special way. This special way of tying the knot depends upon the sub-cast and 'Gotra'. In the Mithila region, a pair of such prepared "Yagyopaveet" is worn. There the threads are thinner than the other regions. Before the "Yagyopaveet" is made ready to wear it is colored in turmeric powder. It is consecrated with "Yagyopaveet Mantra" and then "Gayatri Mantra" and worn from left shoulder to below right waist up to the reach of palm.

Fine Janeu (Yagyopaveet) threads of Mithila

                I am not going into description or meaning of "Upanayana Sanskaara" because my purpose here is to write about the use of "Yagyopaveet" in worship. During the worship, many things are offered to gods like "Jalam" (Water) for bath and "Achamanam", "Padya","Vastram", "Dhoop-deep", "Naivedya", flowers, 'Belpatras' (बिल्व - पत्र), 'Durva-dal', etc. To male gods "Yagyopaveet" is also offered. It is part of "Shodashopachar Pooja"(षोडशोपचार पूजा). For gods like Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu and Surya offering of "Yagyopaveet" is desirable. The "Yagyopaveet" or "Janeu" should be yellow but if it is white, it should be colored in a mixture of turmeric powder and water or it should be sprinkled with turmeric powder before offering to gods. It is advisable that it should be prepared and consecrated before offering in the same way as if worn by oneself. Since it is time-consuming people offer "Janeu" directly to save time. For consecrating it, the prepared "Yagyopaveet" should be held with both hands between thumb and forefinger giving it a circular-like motion (Should be tight and not touch the ground) and simultaneously the "Yagyopaveet Mantra" should be spoken as follows:--

ॐ यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात् ।

आयुष्यमग्र्यं प्रतिमुञ्च शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः।। 

      

 (Aum yagyopaveetam paramam pavitram prajapateryat-sahajan purastat.

Aayushyamgryan pratimunch shubhram yagyopaveetam balamastu tejah .

    

                    After consecrating with this mantra three times it is taken near the right ear with both palms touching in a 'Pranam' like style and three times the 'Gayatri Mantra' is spoken in a very feeble voice. The 'Gayatri Mantra' is a well-known mantra as follows:-

ॐ भूर्भुव स्वः तत्सवितुर्ववरेण्यं भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्। 

(Aum bhurbhuva swah tatsaviturv-varenyam bhargo devasya deemahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat)

                  While holding it in both hands, a little water (Jalam-जलम् ) should be taken in the right palm (Chullu-चुल्लू) and be sprinkled over the ground. Now it is fully ready to be offered to God by uttering the following mantra:-

नवभिस्तन्तुभिर्युक्तं त्रिगुणं देवतामयम।

उपवीतं  मया   दत्तं   गृहाण  परमेश्वर।।

(Navabhistantubhiryukam Trigunam Devataamayam

Upveetam   Maya  Dattam   Grihaan  Parmeshwar)

        The Yagyopaveet for the worship purpose is available in all Puja stores but if you do not find it there shop it at Amazon at THIS LINK. 

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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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