Kshama Prarthana (Prayer for Forgiveness)

The Kshama Prarthana is a prayer asking the Goddess to forgive any mistakes made during worship. It is recited at the end of the Durga Saptashati Path.

Kshama Prarthana (॥ क्षमा-प्रार्थना ॥)

Verse 1

अपराधसहस्राणि क्रियन्तेऽहर्निशं मया। दासोऽयमिति मां मत्वा क्षमस्व परमेश्वरि॥1॥

Aparadha-Sahasrani Kriyante'harnisham Maya | Daso'yamiti Mam Matva Kshamasva Parameshvari || 1 ||

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess! Thousands of offences are committed by me day and night. Thinking, ‘This is my servant’, kindly forgive those offences of mine. ॥1॥

Verse 2

आवाहनं न जानामि न जानामि विसर्जनम्। पूजां चैव न जानामि क्षम्यतां परमेश्वरि॥2॥

Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Visarjanam | Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamyatam Parameshvari || 2 ||

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess! I do not know how to invoke you (avahana), I do not know how to bid you farewell (visarjana), and I do not know the proper way to worship you either. Forgive me. ॥2॥

Verse 3

मन्त्रहीनं क्रियाहीनं भक्तिहीनं सुरेश्वरि। यत्पूजितं मया देवि परिपूर्णं तदस्तु मे॥3॥

Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshvari | Yatpujitam Maya Devi Paripurnam Tadastu Me || 3 ||

Meaning: O Devi! O Queen of the gods! Whatever worship I have performed without the right mantras, without the right rites and without devotion — may it all be made complete by your grace. ॥3॥

Verse 4

अपराधशतं कृत्वा जगदम्बेति चोच्चरेत्। यां गतिं समवाप्नोति न तां ब्रह्मादयः सुराः॥4॥

Aparadha-Shatam Kritva Jagadambeti Chochcharet | Yam Gatim Samavapnoti Na Tam Brahmadayah Surah || 4 ||

Meaning: Even one who has committed hundreds of offences, if he takes refuge in you and calls out ‘Jagadamba’ (Mother of the world), attains that state which is not easily reached even by Brahma and the other gods. ॥4॥

Verse 5

सापराधोऽस्मि शरणं प्राप्तस्त्वां जगदम्बिके। इदानीमनुकम्प्योऽहं यथेच्छसि तथा कुरु॥5॥

Saparadho'smi Sharanam Praptastvam Jagadambike | Idanim Anukampyo'ham Yathechchhasi Tatha Kuru || 5 ||

Meaning: O Jagadambike! I am an offender, but I have come to take refuge in you. I am now deserving of your mercy; do as you wish. ॥5॥

Verse 6

अज्ञानाद्विस्मृतेर्भ्रान्त्या यन्न्यूनमधिकं कृतम्। तत्सर्वं क्षम्यतां देवि प्रसीद परमेश्वरि॥6॥

Ajnanad Vismriter Bhrantya Yan Nyunam Adhikam Kritam | Tatsarvam Kshamyatam Devi Prasida Parameshvari || 6 ||

Meaning: O Devi! O Supreme Goddess! Whatever I have done too little or too much, out of ignorance, forgetfulness or confusion of mind — forgive it all and be pleased. ॥6॥

Verse 7

कामेश्वरि जगन्मातः सच्चिदानन्दविग्रहे। गृहाणार्चामिमां प्रीत्या प्रसीद परमेश्वरि॥7॥

Kameshvari Jaganmatah Sachchidananda-Vigrahe | Grihanarcham Imam Pritya Prasida Parameshvari || 7 ||

Meaning: O Supreme Goddess, whose nature is existence, consciousness and bliss! O Mother of the world, Kameshvari! Lovingly accept this worship of mine and remain pleased with me. ॥7॥

Verse 8

गुह्यातिगुह्यगोप्त्री त्वं गृहाणास्मत्कृतं जपम्। सिद्धिर्भवतु मे देवि त्वत्प्रसादात्सुरेश्वरि॥8॥

Guhyatiguhya-Goptri Tvam Grihanasmat-Kritam Japam | Siddhir Bhavatu Me Devi Tvat-Prasadat Sureshvari || 8 ||

Meaning: O Devi! O Queen of the gods! You protect even the most secret of secret things. Accept this japa that I have offered. By your grace, may I attain success (siddhi). ॥8॥