- June 29, 2025
Bilvashtakam is an eight-stanza (sloka) hymn that praises Lord Shiva. The word ‘Bilva’ refers to the Bilva leaf, and ‘Ashtakam’ means eight. Bilva leaves are considered extremely sacred and dear to Lord Shiva. Chanting this Ashtakam while offering Bilva leaves to Lord Shiva is considered highly auspicious.
Each sloka of this Ashtakam extols the glories of Lord Shiva, his various forms, and his attributes. It helps devotees deepen their devotion to Lord Shiva and seek his blessings.
Tridalam Trigunākāram Trinēthram Cha Triyāyudham
Trijanma Pāpa Samhāram Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Trisākhair Bilva Patraiścha Architrai: Kōmalai Subhaiḥ
Tava Pūjām Kariṣyāmi Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Kōṭikanyāmahādānam Kila Parvata – Kōṭayaḥ
Kāñchanam Sīladānēna Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Kāśikṣētra Nivāsam Cha Kālabhairava Darśanam
Prayāgē Mādhavam Dṛṣṭvā Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Induvārē Vratam Sthitvā Nirāhārō Mahēśvaraḥ
Naktam Kauṣyāmi Dēvēsa Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Rāmalinga Pratiṣṭhā Cha Vaivāhika Kṛtam Tadā
Taḍākādi Cha Santānam Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Akhaṇḍa Bilvapatram Cha Āyudham Śivapūjanam
Kṛtam Nāma Sahasrēṇa Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Umayā Sahadēvē Cha Nandi Vāhanamēva Cha
Bhasmalēpana Sarvāṅgam Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Sālagrāmēṣu Viprāṇām Taḍākam Dasakūpayōḥ
Yañjakōṭi Sahasram Cha Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Dantikōṭi Sahasrēṣu Aśvamēdha Satakṛtau
Kōṭikanyā Mahādānam Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Bilvānām Darśanam Puṇyam Sparśanam Pāpanāśanam
Aghōra Pāpa Samhāram Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Sahasra Vēda Pāṭhēṣu Brahma Sthāpanamuchyatē
Anēka Vrata Kōṭīnām Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Annadāna Sahasrēṣu Sahasrōpanayanam Tadā
Anēka Janma Pāpāni Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Bilvāṣṭakam Idam Puṇyam Yaḥ Paṭhēt Śivasan’nidau
Śivalōka Mavāpnōti Ēka Bilvam Śivārpanam.
Bilvāṣṭakam Sampūrṇam
Bilvashtakam is commonly chanted during Shiva’s archana (ritualistic offering), puja (worship), and other devotional ceremonies. Its recitation holds particular significance during auspicious days like Maha Shivaratri.
