Study and Contemplation
Lord ShivaHymns & Aratis
Bilvashtakam
Recited by the music ensemble in Shree Muktananda Ashram.
Painting of Bilva leaf by Kathie Kemp
Entering the Abode of Lord Shiva
by Elizabeth Grimbergen
The worship of Lord Shiva dates to the time of the Vedas. In fact, the earliest shiva lingam, excavated by archeologists, dates to the third century BCE. The lingam represents the stambha, a cosmic pillar of fire that has no beginning and no end, from which Shiva is believed to have emerged. Seen as representing the formless, infinite source from which everything emerges and to which everything returns, the oval shape of the lingam unifies the earthly and the Divine. It also is often understood to represent the infinite creative energy of the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Shakti (or Parvati) that continuously creates the universe as we know it.
While Lord Shiva is often depicted as a supremely powerful force for destruction, he is also known for his benevolence. The Shiva Purana tells of the ways of worship that delight Lord Shiva. Primary among these is abhishek, "ritual bathing," and the offering of bilva leaves to Lord Shiva in the form of the lingam.
The bilva tree is native to India and is found growing on the slopes of the Himalayas. For centuries, the leaves, stems, and fruit of this tree have been treasured for their medicinal properties. It is also said to be sacred to Lord Shiva. Indeed, in the Shiva Purana, the bilva tree is seen as a manifestation of Lord Shiva himself. In other Puranas, the tree is said to have originated from drops of sweat from Goddess Parvati, Lord Shiva's consort. Still other stories describe the tree as having been born from the body of the goddess Lakshmi, as in the hymn Bilvashtakam, above.
The Bilvashtakam, eight verses describing the offering of one bilva leaf to Lord Shiva, was written by the revered Adi Shankaracharya and is often sung as this simple offering is made to the Lord. Not only is the bilva tree considered a home of the Divine, but even the trifoliate shape of its leaves resonates with divine symbolism. The first verse of this hymn tells us that the shape of this leaf represents the three gunas, the basic qualities of existence (sattva, rajas, and tamas); the three eyes of Lord Shiva; and the three prongs of his weapon, the trident. The final descriptive verse reinforces this triad, stating that the bilva leaf itself contains the three aspects of divinity representing creation, preservation, and destruction (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva).
Gurumayi Chidvilasananda composed the melody for this version of the hymn, and it is sung by the music ensemble in Shree Muktananda Ashram. Composed in the Darbari Kanada raga, the melody inspires deep stillness and feelings of devotion for Lord Shiva.
It is amazing to think of all the treasures on earth, that what pleases Lord Shiva the most is but a simple leaf—a leaf so auspicious, so sacred, as to call forth the Lord's infinite magnanimity. The depth of the Lord's benevolence is shown so clearly in the story of the hunter and the deer told every year during Mahashivaratri celebrations throughout India as well as on the Siddha Yoga path. In this story from the Shiva Purana, a hunter unknowingly shelters in a bilva tree, waiting for prey during the "great night of Shiva." At the base of the tree is a shiva lingam, and nestled in a branch above it is the hunter's own water pot. Throughout the night, every time the hunter shifts his weight, bilva leaves and drops of water fall onto the shiva lingam. Though unaware of his own actions, the hunter is worshipping Lord Shiva. As the night continues, so does the hunter's unwitting worship. By morning, his heart has become filled with compassion; he no longer thirsts for prey.
I love this story, and I love contemplating its meaning. It always strikes me that even though the hunter is unaware of his actions, Lord Shiva, in his infinite benevolence, still purifies the heart of the hunter. To me, it means that God is always present, always aware of the state of our hearts, even if we are not. I find this an enormously comforting thought.
Adi Shankaracharya closes his hymn by saying that one who sings it will be brought to the abode of Shiva. And what is the abode of Shiva? The shiva lingam provides us with an indication. The abode of Shiva is the formless, infinite source of all, the state from which everything emerges and to which everything returns.
Once, I had the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time in Gurudev Siddha Peeth, the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Ganeshpuri, India. Each evening, after seva, I found myself drawn to the Shiva Temple in the Ashram's upper gardens. This white marble temple holds a black marble stone lingam. After performing a pranam and offering flowers, I would sit in a corner, gazing at the shiva lingam. This time was utterly magical. My mind would become completely still, enveloped in a timeless and intoxicating peacefulness. In this way, I felt myself entering the abode of Shiva.
On the Siddha Yoga path, we worship Lord Shiva as the supreme Consciousness residing within each of us and pervading the entire universe. As we perform this worship of Shiva, as in reciting the Bilvashtakam, we can experience our identity with supreme Consciousness—and that our own Heart is the abode of Shiva.
About Elizabeth Grimbergen
Elizabeth Grimbergen began her Siddha Yoga practice in 1990 when she attended Gurumayi's Birthday Celebration at the Siddha Yoga Ashram in Oakland, California. She has served the SYDA Foundation in many capacities over the past thirty years, including writing and editing for Darshan magazine. From 2004 to 2009, Elizabeth and her husband, Jackson Hedrick, hosted a chanting and meditation group in their home in Kansas City, Kansas. Elizabeth currently offers seva from home as a writer.
Elizabeth holds a PhD in philosophy from Pennsylvania State University. She works as a solution architect for a telecommunications firm. She and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, where Elizabeth has often served as a host for satsangs at the local Siddha Yoga meditation center.
I listened to this hymn for the first time on the night before Mahashivaratri, and something inside me started to melt and merge into the Absolute. I sat in front of my puja, listening to the hymn again and again, and asking myself: Who am I? I felt an ancient connection with the melody and hymn, and I sensed Gurumayi's presence strongly around me.
The next day I was given the seva of cleaning the Bilva leaves that would later be used in the abhishek at the Shiva Temple. It was mahaprasad for me! I cleaned each leaf with an understanding of its worth, its purity and greatness. I cleaned each leaf with love for my beloved Lord Shiva! Since then I have been listening to this hymn every day, and each time I immediately connect with my deepest Self.
I'm thankful to Gurumayi ji for giving me this experience of my own greatness!
Gurudev Siddha Peeth, India
Many years ago, I visited Gurudev Siddha Peeth for six months to offer seva. The seva assignment I received was to gather fragrant flowers and sacred leaves for the Temple and Baba's Samadhi Shrine. At the time, I was certain I wasn't worthy of this seva, but I gave it my best. Often I needed to climb up to a limb of the Bilva tree for the best-formed leaves. I had no idea then of the Bilva leaf's full significance; I just knew it was sacred.
Many years later, on Mahashivaratri, Gurumayi spent the whole night in the Temple. She sang the Bilvashtakam again and again, which moved me greatly. I experienced an indescribably full love. I've remembered the sound of this song ever since, with wonder and the longing to offer one Bilva leaf to Shiva, and to the Guru.
Now, having read the meaning of the verses, I realize that by touching the Bilva tree during all those months, my sins and obstacles were being cleansed. And I understand that by offering the triad form of this leaf, I am offering my physical body, my subtle body, and my causal body to Gurumayi and to Lord Shiva.
What a melodious hymn! As I listen to it again and again, feelings of immense love, devotion, and union with the Divine arise from deep within me.
Thane West, India
Seeing God in nature is something that is very dear to me. The tender green leaves of the Bilva tree represent for me pure love, pure life, and pure consciousness.
Hørsholm, Denmark
The melody that Gurumayi composed for this hymn has totally captivated my mind; I can't stop playing it. Listening to the words and melody opens my heart, and I find myself drawn into deep silence and peace. It's like a magic key that opens the abode of Shiva to me!
Farnborough, United Kingdom
The purity and precision of the music ensemble's recitation is utterly enchanting! It envelops my whole being in deep stillness and feelings of tenderness. The meanings of the different verses are also a revelation, particularly the image of the Bilva tree as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.
As I listen to this hymn, my mind becomes a reservoir of peace and my heart soars.
I am grateful to Gurumayi for composing this exquisite melody in praise of Lord Shiva.
I have a Bilva tree near my house. I offer a Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva every fortnight on Pradosha. But this is the first time in my life that I have come to know about the hymn Bilvashtakam. Now, after learning of the great merit of offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva, I feel connected with Lord Shiva, Gurumayi, and myself. I am grateful to Gurumayi for such wonderful knowledge and grace.
This exquisite essay drew my understanding so skillfully from the historical background, to the tangible power in offering the simple, natural beauty in the Bilva leaves, to bringing me into the timeless space of the writer's own experiences in the gardens of Gurudev Siddha Peeth. Vicariously, I too was able to rest there in that magical space, slipping into my own heart and sweet silence. With skill and generosity of spirit, the writer allowed Lord Shiva to manifest tangibly beyond any specific time and place. I offer my deep gratitude for such a moment of darshan.
This hymn gave me a new understanding, after many years of practice, about the symbolism of the Bilva tree and Bilva leaves. Now I have another context for the storied hunter who showered Bilva leaves on a shiva lingam and attained an enlightened perspective through grace.
I have always loved trees, especially in winter when you can really see their branches. The idea that the Bilva tree arises from the body of Lakshmi truly resonates with me.
After reading "Entering the Abode of Lord Shiva," I went into meditation, imagining my body as the abode of the Guru. I envisioned the muladhara chakra as Brahma, like the roots of the tree; the svadhishthana chakra as Vishnu, like the trunk of the tree; and a fiery column of light as the pillar of Shiva rising to the leafy treetop in the sahasrara. I felt such sweetness of devotion in the tingling of my sahasrara and in the expansiveness of my awareness. I felt so connected to primordial existence, and to the interconnectedness of all beings.