Maha Shivaratri is considered the most auspicious time to please Lord Shiva to gain his blessings. What is the simplest way of appeasing Lord Shiva? Offer him Bilva leaves.

The most terrible karma is destroyed when a Bilva leaf is offered to Lord Shiva. The unbelievable merits one receives on offering a single Bilva leaf to Lord Shiva are described in the 9 verses of the sacred hymn known as Bilvashtakam.

Glory of the Bilva Tree

Scientific Name – Aegle Mermelos
English Name – Golden Apple/ Stone Apple

Just like 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.

Various phases of the Moon control our physical, psychological as well as material fortune. This is one of the greatest findings of the ancient Vedic seers of India. The 13th Moon in every month, beginning roughly 2 hours before the sunset, everyone has an opportunity to dissolve their bad karma through the Grace of Shiva. Similarly, the night of the monthly 14th waning Moon is called Shivaratri, the Night of Shiva. This is also an auspicious time to receive Shiva’s Blessing.

Never, ever miss these two events.
Every 13th Moon, called Pradosham, is the time to dissolve bad karma through the Grace of Shiva. This is the general rule. Nevertheless there are some very special 13th Moon phases, especially when the 13th Moon coincides with Saturday. Any 13th Moon Phase on a Saturday is called “Maha Pradosham” or “Sani Pradosham” as Saturday is ruled by Saturn (Sani), a Lord of Karma. This Maha Sani Pradosham is a great time to receive Lord Shiva’s Blessing to remove strong karma.