Chapter 250 - Creation of Bilva Tree

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Vāṇī said:

1. It is not possible to extol adequately the greatness of Bilva leaves. O Mahendra, I shall tell you accurately. Listen to it.

2. The splendid Daughter of the Mountain; the goddess, became tired due to her sports. Drops of sweat appeared on her forehead.

3. They were wiped off by Bhavānī and a drop fell on the ground. It became a great tree on the excellent mountain Mandara.

4. Once again, the Daughter of the Mountain came to that place in the course of her sports. On seeing a tree in the forest, she was surprised. It was evident from her eyes that beamed.

5. She asked her female comapanions Jayā and Vijayā: “What is this great divine tree shining in the centre of the forest? It appears very beautiful. Indeed it gives great delight.”

Jayā said:

6. O goddess, this tree has originated from your own body, from a drop of your sweat. Do name this tree soon. If it is worshipped, it destroys sins.

Pārvatī said:

7-11. Since this excellent great tree pierced through the ground and rose up near me, let it be named Bilva.

If anyone approaches this tree devoutly and collects the leaves, he shall certainly become a king of the earth.

If anyone with perfect faith worships me with its leaves, he will realize whatever desire he may cherish.

If a person, after seeing the leaves of Bilva, at least maintains faith in the rite of adoration, I shall undoubtedly be the bestower of wealth on him.

If anyone makes his mind to eat the tip of the leaves, thousands of his sins perish automatically.

12. If a man places the tip of the leaf on his head, no torture of Yama will give him pain.

13. After saying thus, the delighted Goddess Pārvatī went to her abode accompanied by her companions and Gaṇas.

Vāṇī said:

14. This Bilva tree is very excellent, sacred and destructive of sins. There is ṅo doubt about this that Goddess Girijā resides at its root.

15. It is remembered that Dākṣāyaṇī is present on its stem Maheśvarī on its branches, Goddess Pārvatī on its leaves and Kātyāyanī on its fruit.

16. Gaurī has been mentioned as present on its bark, Aparṇā at the middle of the bark, Durgā in the flower and Umā in the branches and twigs.

17. At the behest of Girijā, nine crores of Śaktis have stationed themselves on all its thorns for the sake of protecting living beings.

18. They worship her by means of the excellent leaves. They adore the eternal goddess. Whatever desire is cherished will be certainly realized.

19. Maheśvarī, the daughter of the Mountain, is a great goddess. She is pure in form and she bestows salvation on people. On Seeing Hara resorting to Palāśa she created the physical form of Bilva playfully.