Just like the 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. According to Shiva Maha Purana, 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 Shiva Linga while sitting under the Bilva tree attains the highest bliss of oneness with Lord Shiva or the state of 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 before this tree bestows knowledge and enables the devotee to merge in Lord Shiva. The Shiva Maha 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, One who feeds a devotee under the Bilva will grow in virtue. For Happiness and Prosperity – Perform Bilva Pooja with flowers and incense. For Supreme Knowledge – Light deepak before Bilva tree? For Freedom from Vice – Remove new leaves from one of the branches of Bilva tree and worship the tree with them. For Growth of Virtue – Feed a Shiva devotee under the Bilva tree!
Hari Om Tat Sat ~ Jai Shri Mahakal!
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