TEN IMPORTANT TREES (SACRED) IN HINDU RELIGION

Bilva - Lord Shiva's Sacred Tree 

 

Mythological importance

Bilva or Aegle Marmelos is the embodiment of Lord Shiva himself and is one of the sacred tree symbols of Hinduism.

Maha Shivaratri is considered the most auspicious time to please Lord Shiva to gain his blessings. What is the simplest way of appeasing Lord Shiva? Offer him Bilva leaves.

The most terrible karma is destroyed when a Bilva leaf is offered to Lord Shiva. The unbelievable merits one receives on offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva are described in the 9 verses of the sacred hymn known as Bilvashtakam.

Just like Tulsi plant is sacred to Lord Krishna and Durva grass is sacred to Lord Ganesha, Bilva tree is sacred to Lord Shiva. Since the Bilva leaf has such significance in the worship of Lord Shiva, it is common to find Bilva trees cultivated in the vicinity of Shiva temples. The fruits were used in place of coconuts before large-scale rail transportation became available.

The Bilva tree in the Shiva Purana

According to the Shiva Purana (7 AD) the Bilva tree is the manifest form of Lord Shiva himself, while all the great tirthas (pilgrimage places) are said to reside at its base. One who worships the shivalingam while sitting under the Bilva, claims this great epic, and attains the state of Shiva. Washing the head by this tree is said to be the equivalent of bathing in all the sacred rivers. One who performs Bilva pooja with flowers and incense achieves Shiva loka, the abode of pure consciousness, and has happiness and prosperity bestowed upon them. The lighting of the deepak (lamp) before this tree bestows knowledge and enables the devotee to merge in Lord Shiva. The Shiva Purana also claims that if the devotee removes the new leaves from one of the branches of that tree and worships the tree with them, they will be freed from vice, while one who feeds a devotee under the Bilva will grow in virtue.

From the Hindu pantheism point of view this tree is the symbolic representation of Shiva, Parvati, Surya and Lakshmi- the Goddess of Wealth. It is said that no worship of Shiva is complete without offering Bel patra or Bilva leaf. These leaves on the lingam cool and refresh the heated deity. Its trifoliate leaf or tripatra symbolises the three functions-creation, preservation and destruction(Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh )of the Lord as well as His three eyes.” The tri-foliate form of leaves symbolize the trident that Shiva holds in his right hand.

Quoting the Skanda Purana and explained the origin of Bilva tree, “One day while Parvati was resting some drops of sweat fell from her forehead on the mountain Mandara, from which grew the bel tree, Girija lives on the root of the tree, Maheswari on its shoulder, Dukshayani on its branches, Parvati among its leaves, Katyayani in its fruit, Gauri in its flowers while in thorns the numerous Saktis find a home. It is also believed that Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, also lives in the bel tree.” Those who perform the puja of Shiva and Parvati devoutly, using the leaves, will be endowed with spiritual powers. The bilva leaves are-symbols of three Gunasaar –Sattva, Raja and Tama.

Really speaking Bilva is medicinally and religiously very powerful. On the one hand it acts as a boost to health and cure for many ailments; on the other hand it has great spiritual significance which permeates the Hindu way of life.

 Medicinal uses

Bilva root

Tridoshaghna – balances Tridosha

Chardighna – relieves vomiting

Shulaghna – relieves abdominal colic pain

Madhura – sweet

Laghu – light to digest

The unripe fruit of Bael is

Tuvara – Astringent

Grahi – absorbant

Ruksha – Dry

Agni Pittakrut – improves digestion and Pitta.

Vatashleshmahara – balances Vata and Kapha

Bilva leaf

Sangrahi – Absorbant

Vatajit – Balances Vata

Bilva Pith

Kaphavataghna – balances Kapha and Vata

Amaghna – relieves state of indigestion at the level of digestive tract and tissues

Shulaghna – relieves abdominal colic pain

Grahini – Absorbant

Bilva Stem

Kasaghna – relieves cough, cold

Amavataghna – useful in rheumatoid arthritis

Hrudya – good for heart

Agnivardhana – improves digestion power – Carminative

Katu – pungent

Kashaya – astringent

Ushna – hot

Tikta – Bitter

Deepana, Pachana - Digestive, improves digestive enzymes

Snigdha (unctuous, oilyness)

Teekshna (piercing)

Bilva leaves

Bael leaves are used in dyspepsia, gastritis indigestion, cold and sinusitis.

Bilva Flower

Atisarahara – Relieves dysentery and diarrhoea

Trushahara – relieves thirst

Vamihara – anti emetic – relieves vomiting.