Bilva Tree

Posted on January 29th, 2009 by Nirupama Sriram Share

Tridalam Trigunakaram|
Trinetrancha Triyaayudham|
Trijanma Paapa Samharam|
Eka Bilvam Shivarpanam||

The meaning of this above shloka/chanting in Sanskrit means offering of a bilvapatra (i.e., the trifoliate leaves) to the three eyed god Shiva who holds a Trishula (weapon with three sharp edges) will wash away the sins committed in the past 3 lives.

bilva-tree
Picture1 – Bilva Tree

Plant Summary
Aegle Marmelos is the botanical name of the sacred plant Bilva or Stone Apple or Bael or Shivadruma.  It belongs to the Rutaceae* family.   Lord Shiva is fond of this tree and in the courtyard of every temple of Shiva; a Bilva tree will be planted.  The leaves of the tree are trifoliate representing the three eyes of the Shiva.  Pooja/ritual/prayers to Lord Shiva is incomplete without the offering of Bilvapathre/Bilva leaves.

The tree grows in dry and arid regions on plains and hills in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan and South East Asia.  Bilva tree grows to a height of 8 meters with thorns.  The leaves are alternate, ovate, trifoliate and aromatic.  The tender leaves and shoots are consumed as salad greens.  The flowers bloom in the month of May and will have a sweet fragrance.

bilva-leaves
Picture2 – Bilva Leaves

Bilva Fruit
The fruits are woody, oval shaped with yellow pulp and they ripen during October/November.  The fruits are 5 – 15 cm in diameter.  The skin of the fruit is extremely hard, either a stone or a hammer is used to open the fruit.  The fruit contains many seeds enclosed in fibrous hair and are surrounded by pulp, which has a pleasant aroma.

bilva-fruit
Picture3 – Bilva Fruit

Bilva fruit is either eaten fresh or dried. The fresh fruit is churned into a traditional Indian thirst quencher with Jaggery.  The fruit is cut into pieces and dried in the sun.  Whenever the fruit has to be used, the dried pieces are boiled in water and sieved.

Medicinal Value
The roots, skin, fruits and the leaves of the Bilva tree are used for medicinal purpose.  Bilva has astringent, edema lessening, anti-diarrhea, laxative and appetizer properties hence, can be used to cure both internal and external diseases.

Knowledge capsule
Apart from Lord Shiva, this tree is a favorite as a larval food plant for Indian Swallowtail Butterfly and Common Lime or the Lemon Butterfly (Papilio demoleus).

butterfly-mysore2.jpg
Picture4 – Lemon Butterfly Photographed in Mysore

*Rutaceae, commonly known as the Rue or Citrus family,  are trees or shrubs, with aromatic glands on the leaves and sometimes with thorns. The leaves are usually opposed and compound, and without stipules. (Stipules means outgrowths borne on either side of the base of a leafstalk)

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21 Responses to “Bilva Tree”

  1. S.KUMAR, on July 9th, 2009 at 9:27 am Said:

    I wish to but bilva plant. Pls advise how do I go about.

  2. Nirupama Sriram, on July 9th, 2009 at 8:46 pm Said:

    Hi Kumar,
    Thanks for visiting. Please pick up the plant from a good nursery and plant it either in a big pot or on the ground.
    Regards,
    Nirupama

  3. Koki, on August 7th, 2009 at 10:15 pm Said:

    I need the Bilva (bilva patra) plant……. can you tell me where to buy from?

  4. Nirupama Sriram, on August 8th, 2009 at 9:26 am Said:

    Koki, inquire at any of the horticultural nurseries in the place you live.

  5. Karthik, on October 5th, 2009 at 11:53 pm Said:

    Am in the process of creating a personal website in tamil with information of Lord Shiva. Can I use this piece of information about Bilva in my website with your name mentioned under courtesy?

  6. Nirupama Sriram, on October 6th, 2009 at 8:31 am Said:

    Yes Karthik, you can use the information, please give a link back.

  7. prabhakar, on November 1st, 2009 at 3:29 pm Said:

    I found the information interesting and useful. For getting the medicinal values, should the bilva fruit be eaten in an empty stomach or with food or it doesnt matter?
    thanks.

  8. Nirupama Sriram, on November 1st, 2009 at 5:47 pm Said:

    Hello Prabahkar,
    According to me it is like any other fruit and can be eaten anytime. But, if you want a more professional answer please consult an Ayurvedic doctor or an expert in Ayurvedic medicines.

    Keep reading…
    Nirupama

  9. vijay, on November 7th, 2009 at 11:36 am Said:

    11/6/09
    want to purchase a bilva plant. I live in Northern california, USA. Is this plant available to purchase in the US?
    thanks
    vijay

  10. Nirupama Sriram, on November 7th, 2009 at 6:56 pm Said:

    Hi Vijay,
    I am sorry Vijay, I don’t know where you can get the plant in the US, as I live in India. Maybe when you visit India the next time you can take some seeds and plant it there.
    Regards,
    Nirupama

  11. Mrudula, on November 11th, 2009 at 4:22 pm Said:

    HI Nirupama,

    All your articles will be very good and more informative… Want to know about you.

  12. Nirupama Sriram, on November 11th, 2009 at 6:27 pm Said:

    Hi Mrudula,

    Happy to note that you like what I write. I am a working mother, living in Bangalore. Most of my free time is spent reading, cooking, photographing, travelling and updating the website.

    Keep visiting,
    Nirupama

  13. sunil bhalla, on January 1st, 2010 at 12:26 am Said:

    Hi
    I lived in uk and i need bilva patra. Can you please tell me from where i can buy these bilva patra in birmingham uk.

    Thanks
    Regards
    SUNIL

  14. Priyakannan, on January 6th, 2010 at 1:49 pm Said:

    Hi Nirupama,

    Somebody told me, Bilva leaves are good for controlling wheezing problems. Is that so?

  15. srikanth, on February 13th, 2010 at 4:48 pm Said:

    Hello Nirupama,
    I wish to plant a Bilva tree in my home in a pot to offer a leaf everyday to lord Shiva. Can I plant such tree at home without any objection or any religious fear. Please advice.

    thanks,
    Srikanth

  16. Nirupama Sriram, on February 13th, 2010 at 5:37 pm Said:

    Great idea! go ahead plant it…there is no fear when there is god’s seva in mind.
    All the best,
    Nirupama

  17. kannan, on March 10th, 2010 at 9:43 am Said:

    can u pls give me the address of nursery where bilva plant can be purchased.. thank u

  18. Nirupama Sriram, on March 10th, 2010 at 7:04 pm Said:

    Hi Kannan,
    In Bangalore, Lalbagh nursery or nurseries near big banyan tree, in Mysore – Government horticulture nursery near Harding circle or Bhudevi farm.
    Regards,
    Nirupama

  19. Nirupama Sriram, on March 10th, 2010 at 7:52 pm Said:

    Kannan – in Bangalore you can try in lal bagh nursery.

  20. nitin patel, on March 31st, 2010 at 5:37 am Said:

    i am living in boston mass i wants to buy bilva patra where i can buy give me supplyer name and address please thank you

  21. Nirupama Sriram, on March 31st, 2010 at 9:00 am Said:

    Hi Nitin,
    Sorry, I don’t know where you can buy bilva patra in Boston. I suggest you ask the priest in the Hindu temple at Boston.
    Regards,
    Nirupama

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