devyaparādhakṣamāpaṇastotram

Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram

Now begins the hymn seeking forgiveness for offenses from the Goddess.

I do not know any mantra or yantra (mystic diagrams), nor do I know how to praise You. I do not know how to invoke or meditate upon You, nor do I know the stories of Your glory. I do not know Your mudras (gestures), nor do I know how to cry out to You. But this much I know, O Mother, that following You destroys all afflictions. (1)

Due to ignorance of the rules, lack of wealth, laziness, or inability to perform my duties, whatever mistakes have occurred at Your feet, O Mother, the savior of all, the auspicious one, please forgive them all. A son can be a bad son, but a mother can never be a bad mother. (2)

O Mother, You have many simple and good sons on this earth, but among them, I am a very restless and bad son. O Auspicious One, it is not proper for You to abandon me. A son can be a bad son, but a mother can never be a bad mother. (3)

O Mother of the Universe! O Mother! I have never rendered service to Your feet, nor have I offered You abundant wealth. Even then, You bestow incomparable affection upon me. A son can be a bad son, but a mother can never be a bad mother. (4)

Troubled by the various types of rituals and services required, I have abandoned the worship of other gods, and now I have passed eighty-five years of age. O Mother of the pot-bellied Ganesha, if even now You do not show me mercy, where will I, who am destitute, go for refuge? (5)

An outcaste (Chandal) becomes a great orator speaking words sweet as honey, and a poor man wanders without fear, endowed with millions of gold coins for a long time, if even a syllable of Your mantra enters their ears, O Aparna (Parvati)! O Mother, who then can know the true reward for one who faithfully recites Your mantra according to the rules? (6)

One who is smeared with ashes from the cremation ground, whose food is poison, whose clothing is the directions (naked), who wears matted hair, who wears the king of snakes as a garland around his neck, who is the lord of animals (Pashupati), who holds a skull, who is the lord of ghosts—such a Lord Shiva attains the unique position of the Lord of the Universe (Jagadisha) only as the fruit of the custom of holding Your hand (marrying You), O Bhavani! (7)

I have no desire for liberation (Moksha), nor any wish for worldly wealth and prosperity. I have no expectation for worldly knowledge, O moon-faced Goddess, nor do I have any desire for happiness. Therefore, I beg of You, O Mother, let my life pass reciting Your names: Mridani, Rudrani, Shiva, Shiva, Bhavani. (8)

I have not worshipped You properly according to the rules with various offerings. What harsh and ungrateful words have I not spoken due to my harsh thinking! O Shyamali (Dark Goddess), if even then You bestow a little mercy upon this orphan, it is only proper for You (given Your nature), O Mother! (9)

O Durga! O Empress of the ocean of compassion! When immersed in calamities, I remember You. Do not consider this as wickedness on my part, because those afflicted with hunger and thirst naturally remember their mother. (10)

O Mother of the Universe, what is surprising in this, that You are full of compassion towards me? A mother never abandons a son, even if he commits an endless series of offenses. (11)

There is no sinner equal to me, and there is no destroyer of sins equal to You. Knowing this, O Mahadevi, do whatever You consider appropriate. Om. (12)

Thus ends the Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram.