Kshama Prarthana Mantra — Lyrics with Meaning
This prayer for forgiveness, said at the end of puja, is full of humility. The devotee says: O Lord, I do not know how to invite you, how to bid you farewell, or the right way to worship. Please forgive whatever mistakes I made and accept my worship as complete.
Avahanam na janami na janami visarjanam | pujam chaiva na janami kshamasva parameshvara ||
Mantra-hinam kriya-hinam bhakti-hinam sureshvara | yat pujitam maya deva paripurnam tad astu me ||
Aparadha-sahasrani kriyante'harnisham maya | daso'yam iti mam matva kshamasva parameshvara ||
Meaning
Verse 1
Avahanam na janami na janami visarjanam | pujam chaiva na janami kshamasva parameshvara ||
O Supreme Lord! I do not know how to invite you, nor how to bid you farewell, nor how to worship you properly — please forgive me.
Verse 2
Mantra-hinam kriya-hinam bhakti-hinam sureshvara | yat pujitam maya deva paripurnam tad astu me ||
O Lord of the gods! My worship may lack the right mantras, the right actions and true devotion; still, by your grace, may whatever worship I have offered be made complete.
Verse 3
Aparadha-sahasrani kriyante'harnisham maya | daso'yam iti mam matva kshamasva parameshvara ||
Day and night I make thousands of mistakes. O Supreme Lord, think of me as your servant and forgive me.
Meanings written in simple language by the KathaMantra team.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Kshama Prarthana recited?
At the very end of every puja, aarti, havan or recitation, with folded hands.
How many times should it be recited?
Once, with sincere feeling, at the end of puja is enough.
Are there other versions?
Yes. In Devi worship (Durga Saptashati) 'kshamyatam parameshvari' is said, and some traditions say 'Janardana' instead of 'Sureshvara'. The feeling is the same in all.