Know the Sacred Significance of Bel Patra

Know the Sacred Significance of Bel Patra: Bel patra holds a significant role in the worship of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the three leaves of bel patra symbolize the three gunas or qualities of nature – tamas, rajas, and sattva. It is said that Lord Shiva is fond of the bel patra and is pleased when offered by his devotees. According to Hindu mythology, offering bel patra to Lord Shiva helps in fulfilling one’s desires and brings prosperity, happiness, and peace in one’s life.

The significance of bel patra also dates back to the time of Samudra Manthan when Lord Shiva consumed the lethal poison to save the world from destruction. The cooling properties of bel patra were used to provide relief to the Lord after consuming the poison. Thus, the bel patra is believed to have a cooling effect and helps in soothing Lord Shiva’s throat.

As per Hindu mythology, during the churning of the ocean, Lord Shiva consumed the lethal poison called Halahala to save the world from destruction. However, this caused His body temperature to rise and the deities started feeding Him bel patra to reduce the effect of the poison.

Additionally, the trifoliate leaf of the Bel plant is considered dear to Lord Shiva as it represents the Holy Trinity of Hinduism. The Puranas also mention that Goddess Parvati resides in the Bilva tree in all her forms, making the offering of Bel patra to Lord Shiva all the more significant. Therefore, devotees offer Bel patra along with water, milk, and flowers on Mondays to please Lord Shiva and seek His blessings.

In conclusion, the offering of bel patra to Lord Shiva is an important part of Hindu worship and symbolizes devotion, faith, and purity. By offering bel patra, devotees seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and hope to attain spiritual enlightenment and a blissful life.