In India, the term Trimurti is used in reference to the three faces of god. They are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. They are collectively known as the Trinity. Together they represent the oneness of the universe while retaining their distinctive nature and are known for their ability to grant boons. Hymns are chanted every day all over India, in temples and homes, and countless stories abound in their praise.

Here is the tale of the Origin of the Bilva Leaf

Mandara the mountain was a great devotee Mother Parvati because of her kindness and the fact that she was the daughter of the king of mountains. Parvati lived with her husband, Shiva, on Mount Kailash but Mandara longed for mother’s presence on his mountain.

One day, Shiva and Parvati danced for many hours on end. Finally tired, Parvati stopped to rest, wiping the sweat off her forehead with her hand. The droplets fell on Mandara and a sapling sprang up there, growing taller and stronger until it became a beautiful tree within a few months. Nobody had ever seen this tree before. Each of its twigs sprouted three leaves and it also bore fruit.

Mandara took some twigs to Parvati. When he met her, he asked, ‘This tree was born out of your sweat. What must I do with it?’

Parvati looked at the twigs and the leaves, thoughtfully. ‘What a wonderful tree! She exclaimed. ‘The three leaves indicate the three eyes of Lord Shiva and the three stages of all existence- birth, the journey of life and death. They also represent the three realms- heaven, earth and the world below. So three is an auspicious number.’

She beamed at Mandara and continued, ‘Your faith and devotion pleases me. This tree will be called the Bilva tree and the leaves, Bilva patra. Anyone who takes Bilva leaf to Shiva, will also have my blessings. Since we are inseparable, worshipping Shiva in this manner also means worshipping me. You will always have the Bilva tree on your mountain, Mandara,’

Mandara couldn’t contain his happiness and prostrated himself before the beautiful goddess. His prayers had been answered.

And this is why Bilva leaves are used as an offering to Shiva even today.

There is a popular story that is recited here in Northern India on Mahashivaratri is of a hunter who when chased by a tiger climbs up a Bilva tree and stays awake on the night of by dropping tree leaves while inadvertently fasting and worshipping Shiva, depicted here on this Harappan seal from ~2500 BCE.

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