Tridalam Trigunakaram — Word-by-Word Meaning
त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
त्रिदलं
Tridalam
The three-lobed (bilva / bel) leaf
त्रिगुणाकारं
Trigunakaram
Embodying the form of the three gunas (sattva, rajas, tamas)
त्रिनेत्रं
Trinetram
Like the three eyes of Shiva
च
Cha
And
त्रियायुधम्
Triyayudham
Like the three weapons (the trident's three prongs)
त्रिजन्म
Trijanma
Three births / three lifetimes
पाप
Papa
Sin
संहारं
Samharam
Destroyer, that which destroys
एकबिल्वं
Ekabilvam
This single bilva (bel) leaf
शिवार्पणम्
Shivarpanam
I offer to Lord Shiva
Complete Translation
Three leaves in one, embodying the three gunas, like the three eyes and the three weapons of Shiva, the destroyer of the sins of three births — this single bilva leaf I offer to Shiva.
Origin & History
Source: Bilvashtakam, verse 1 (traditional Shaiva stotra)
Author: Traditional (attributed in the Shaiva canon)
Period: Ancient / medieval
This is the first stanza of the Bilvashtaka, the hymn recited during the offering of bilva (bel) leaves — the foremost leaf in Shiva worship. It celebrates a belief found across the Puranas: that Shiva, the simplest of gods to please (Bholenath), is delighted by even a single three-lobed bilva leaf offered with love, and that such an offering destroys the sins of three lifetimes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Tridalam Trigunakaram' mean?▼
It describes the three-lobed bilva (bel) leaf: 'tridalam' (three leaves in one), 'trigunakaram' (embodying the three gunas), 'trinetram' (like Shiva's three eyes) and 'triyayudham' (like the three prongs of the trident). The verse offers this leaf to Shiva to destroy the sins of three births.
Which stotra is this verse from?▼
It is the opening verse of the Bilvashtakam, an eight-verse hymn recited while offering bilva leaves to Lord Shiva. Every verse ends with the refrain 'Ekabilvam Shivarpanam' — 'this one bilva leaf I offer to Shiva'.
Why is the bilva leaf so dear to Shiva?▼
Its three lobes are seen as Shiva's three eyes, the three prongs of his trident and the three gunas. The Bilvashtakam says the leaf's root is Brahma, its middle Vishnu and its tip Shiva, making it supremely auspicious to offer.
When should this verse be chanted?▼
During Shiva worship and abhishekam, and especially on Mondays, during Pradosh, throughout the holy month of Shravan, and on Maha Shivaratri.
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