Importance Of Belpatra Or Bilva Leaf

Belpatra means leaves of the Bel tree. Bilva leaves or the Belpatra is an important item which is used in the worship of Lord Shiva. The Bilva leaves is from the wood apple tree. This leaf is trifoliate which signifies the holy Trinity: Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It also signifies the three eyes of Lord Shiva.

Belpatra shares a very special relationship with Lord Shiva. The Lord Shiva is very fond of Belpatra or the Bilva leaves. It is said that if a person prays to Lord Shiva with a clear mind and offers a Belpatra to the Shivling, the Lord blesses him/her with whatever he/she desires. Hence, Belpatra is one of the most important ingredients which is used for the worship of Lord Shiva.

But you must be wondering what is so special about this ordinary leaf ? So, let us find out why Belpatra is so important for Lord Shiva.

Story Of Belpatra

According to the Skanda Purana, the Bel tree grew from the sweat droplets of Goddess Parvati which fell on the Mandrachal mountain. From then on the Bel tree emerged. Hence, it is believed that the Goddess resides in this tree in all Her forms. She resides as Girija in the roots of the tree, as Maheshwari in its trunk, as Dakshayani in its branches, Parvati in its leaves, Katyayani in its fruit and as Gauri in its flowers. Apart from these Shaktis, Goddess Lakshmi also resides in this sacred tree.

Therefore as Goddess Parvati resides in Her various forms in this tree, Lord Shiva is extremely fond of its leaves. It is said that even if one touches the Bel tree or its leaves, he/she is freed from all sorts of sins and ailments.

Scientific Properties Of Belpatra

According to the scriptures and Ayurveda, Belpatra has great medicinal values. It's trifoliate shape signifies the three components or 'gunas' namely the Sattva, Rajas and Tamas. The Sattva guna is the positive energies while the Tamas is the negative forces. It is believed that the centre part of the Bilva leaf has the natural characteristic to attract the Sattva or the positive energies towards itself. So, when a person affected by negative energies touches the Belpatra, the positive energies are transferred to him/her. This explains why touching the Bilva tree makes you get rid of sins and ailments.

Belpatra is extremely beneficial for health. The roots, skin, leaves, fruit, everything of the tree is used to cure various ailments. The sacred tree can cure problems like bleeding gums, dysentry, asthma, jaundice, anaemia etc. Hence, Belpatra is extremely important in Hinduism.