Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram
देव्यपराधक्षमापन स्तोत्रम्
What is the Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram?
Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram The Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram is a 12-verse Sanskrit prayer by Adi Shankaracharya in which a devotee asks the Divine Mother to forgive every fault committed in worship. Its returning line, that a child may go astray but a mother never does, makes it the traditional closing prayer of a Devi puja or Durga Saptashati recitation.
The Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram (देव्यपराधक्षमापन स्तोत्रम्) is a hymn of apology addressed to the Divine Mother. Attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, it is recited at the end of a Devi puja or a Durga Saptashati path to seek pardon for the many small errors that slip into any act of worship: a mispronounced mantra, a forgotten step, a missing offering, a wandering mind.What makes the stotram beloved is its tone. Instead of pleading through ritual perfection, the devotee admits knowing no mantra, no yantra and no method, and rests on one truth alone: a mother forgives. The refrain that closes several verses, कुपुत्रो जायेत क्वचिदपि कुमाता न भवति (a bad son may sometimes be born, but a bad mother never), carries the whole prayer.
Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram Lyrics (Sanskrit & English)
Twelve verses in Devanagari with a readable Roman transliteration. Tap each verse to read its meaning. The final verse is the concluding surrender (phalashruti).
na mantram no yantram tadapi cha na jaane stutim-aho
na chaahvaanam dhyaanam tadapi cha na jaane stuti-kathaah
na jaane mudraaste tadapi cha na jaane vilapanam
param jaane maatas-tvad-anusaranam klesha-haranam
न मन्त्रं नो यन्त्रं तदपि च न जाने स्तुतिमहो
न चाह्वानं ध्यानम् तदपि च न जाने स्तुतिकथाः
न जाने मुद्रास्ते तदपि च न जाने विलपनं
परं जाने मातस्त्वदनुसरणं क्लेशहरणम्
Meaning
I know no sacred formula, no mystic diagram, and no way to praise you; I know neither how to invoke you nor how to meditate, nor the words of a hymn; I know no ritual gestures and not even how to weep. One thing only I know, Mother: that simply to follow you is enough to lift away all suffering.
vidher-agyaanena dravina-viraheNaalasatayaa
vidheyaashakyatvaat-tava charaNayor-yaa chyutir-abhoot
tad-etat kshantavyam janani sakalod-dhaariNi shive
kuputro jaayeta kvachid-api kumaataa na bhavati
विधेरज्ञानेन द्रविणविरहेणालसतया
विधेयाशक्यत्वात्तव चरणयोर्या च्युतिरभूत्
तदेतत् क्षन्तव्यं जननि सकलोद्धारिणि शिवे
कुपुत्रो जायेत क्वचिदपि कुमाता न भवति
Meaning
Whatever lapse has crept into my service of your feet, whether from not knowing the proper rite, from having no means, from plain laziness, or from being unable to do what was asked, forgive all of it, Mother, rescuer of everyone, gracious one. A child may sometimes turn out unworthy, but a mother never turns unworthy.
prithivyaam putraas-te janani bahavah santi saralaah
param teshaam madhye viral-taralo’ham tava sutah
madeeyo’yam tyaagah samuchitam-idam no tava shive
kuputro jaayeta kvachid-api kumaataa na bhavati
पृथिव्यां पुत्रास्ते जननि बहवः सन्ति सरलाः
परं तेषां मध्ये विरलतरलोऽहं तव सुतः
मदीयोऽयं त्यागः समुचितमिदं नो तव शिवे
कुपुत्रो जायेत क्वचिदपि कुमाता न भवति
Meaning
You have countless straightforward children on this earth, Mother, and among them all I am a rare, restless one. Yet for me to be cast aside, gracious one, would not be worthy of you. A child may sometimes turn out unworthy, but a mother never turns unworthy.
jagan-maatar-maatas-tava charaNa-sevaa na rachitaa
na vaa dattam devi draviNam-api bhooyas-tava mayaa
tathaapi tvam sneham mayi nirupamam yat-prakurushe
kuputro jaayeta kvachid-api kumaataa na bhavati
जगन्मातर्मातस्तव चरणसेवा न रचिता
न वा दत्तं देवि द्रविणमपि भूयस्तव मया
तथापि त्वं स्नेहं मयि निरुपमं यत्प्रकुरुषे
कुपुत्रो जायेत क्वचिदपि कुमाता न भवति
Meaning
Mother of the worlds, I have offered no service at your feet, nor have I ever given you much in the way of wealth. Even so, the love you pour on me has no equal. A child may sometimes turn out unworthy, but a mother never turns unworthy.
parityaktaa devaan-vividha-vidhi-sevaakulatayaa
mayaa panchaasheeter-adhikam-apaneete tu vayasi
idaaneem chen-maatas-tava yadi kripaa naapi bhavitaa
niraalambo lambodara-janani kam yaami sharaNam
परित्यक्ता देवान्विविधविधिसेवाकुलतया
मया पञ्चाशीतेरधिकमपनीते तु वयसि
इदानीं चेन्मातस्तव यदि कृपा नापि भविता
निरालम्बो लम्बोदरजननि कं यामि शरणम्
Meaning
Caught up in the endless service of many gods and rituals, I have let more than eighty-five years slip past. If even now your grace does not reach me, Mother of Lambodara (Ganesha), then, with no support left anywhere, to whom shall I turn for refuge?
shvapaako jalpaako bhavati madhu-paakopama-giraa
niraatanko ranko viharati chiram koti-kanakaih
tavaaparne karne vishati manu-varne phalam-idam
janah ko jaaneete janani japaneeyam japa-vidhau
श्वपाको जल्पाको भवति मधुपाकोपमगिरा
निरातङ्को रङ्को विहरति चिरं कोटिकनकैः
तवापर्णे कर्णे विशति मनुवर्णे फलमिदं
जनः को जानीते जननि जपनीयं जपविधौ
Meaning
The lowliest speaker becomes eloquent, his words sweet as honey; a pauper roams free of fear amid millions in gold. This is the fruit, O Aparna, of even one syllable of your mantra entering the ear. Who among people can measure what your name achieves when it is truly recited?
chitaa-bhasmaalepo garalam-ashanam dik-pata-dharo
jataadhaaree kanthe bhujaga-pati-haaree pashupatih
kapaalee bhooteesho bhajati jagadeeshaika-padaveem
bhavaanee tvat-paaNi-grahaNa-paripaatee phalam-idam
चिताभस्मालेपो गरलमशनं दिक्पटधरो
जटाधारी कण्ठे भुजगपतिहारी पशुपतिः
कपाली भूतेशो भजति जगदीशैकपदवीं
भवानी त्वत्पाणिग्रहणपरिपाटी फलमिदम्
Meaning
Smeared with ash from the cremation ground, poison for food, the four directions for a garment, matted locks, the king of serpents around his throat, lord of beasts, holder of the skull, ruler of spirits, yet he alone holds the title Lord of the Universe. Bhavani, that too is the fruit of the custom of taking your hand in marriage.
na mokshasyaakaankshaa na cha vibhava-vaanchhaapi cha na me
na vigyaanaapekshaa shashimukhi sukhechchhaapi na punah
atas-tvaam samyaache janani jananam yaatu mama vai
mridaanee rudraaNee shiva shiva bhavaaneeti japatah
न मोक्षस्याकाङ्क्षा न च विभववाञ्छापि च न मे
न विज्ञानापेक्षा शशिमुखि सुखेच्छापि न पुनः
अतस्त्वां सम्याचे जननि जननं यातु मम वै
मृडानी रुद्राणी शिव शिव भवानीति जपतः
Meaning
I crave no liberation, I long for no wealth or grandeur, moon-faced one; I seek no lofty knowledge, and not even pleasure. This alone I beg of you, Mother: let my whole life pass in chanting your names, Mridani, Rudrani, Shiva Shiva Bhavani.
naaraadhitaasi vidhinaa vividhopachaaraih
kim rooksha-chintana-parair-na kritam vachobhih
shyaame tvam-eva yadi kinchana mayy-anaathe
dhatse kripaam-uchitam-amba param tavaiva
नाराधितासि विधिना विविधोपचारैः
किं रूक्षचिन्तनपरैर्न कृतं वचोभिः
श्यामे त्वमेव यदि किञ्चन मय्यनाथे
धत्से कृपामुचितमम्ब परं तवैव
Meaning
I have not worshipped you with the correct rites and their many offerings; and what harsh, thoughtless words have I not spoken? Still, dark-hued Mother, if you show even a little kindness to me, helpless as I am, that grace belongs to you alone and suits no one else.
aapatsu magnah smaraNam tvadeeyam
karomi durge karuNaarNave shive
naitach-chhathatvam mama bhaavayethaah
kshudhaa-trishaartaah jananeem smaranti
आपत्सु मग्नः स्मरणं त्वदीयं
करोमि दुर्गे करुणार्णवे शिवे
नैतच्छठत्वं मम भावयेथाः
क्षुधातृषार्ताः जननीं स्मरन्ति
Meaning
Drowning in troubles, I remember you, Durga, ocean of compassion, gracious one. Do not mistake this for cunning on my part; it is simply that the hungry and the thirsty always cry out for their mother.
jagadamba vichitram-atra kim
paripoorNaa karuNaasti chen-mayi
aparaadha-paramparaa-vritam
na hi maataa samupekshate sutam
जगदम्ब विचित्रमत्र किं
परिपूर्णा करुणास्ति चेन्मयि
अपराधपरम्परावृतं
न हि माता समुपेक्षते सुतम्
Meaning
Mother of the world, what is so surprising in this? If your compassion for me is truly complete, then even though I am wrapped in one fault after another, a mother does not turn away from her child.
Phalashruti
mat-samah paataki naasti paapaghnee tvat-samaa na hi
evam gyaatvaa mahaadevi yathaa yogyam tathaa kuru
मत्समः पातकी नास्ति पापघ्नी त्वत्समा न हि
एवं ज्ञात्वा महादेवी यथा योग्यं तथा कुरु
Meaning
There is no sinner to match me, and there is no remover of sin to match you. Knowing this, Great Goddess, do with me whatever you judge to be right.
Meaning & Significance
The stotram works as a single, honest confession. In the opening verse the devotee lays down every tool of formal worship at once, admitting ignorance of mantra, yantra, meditation and mudra, and keeps only surrender. The verses that follow name the real reasons worship falls short: not knowing the rite, having no resources, laziness, and simple inability (verse 2), and old age spent scattered across many rituals (verse 5).
Against all of that the hymn sets one image that repeats like a heartbeat: a mother’s love does not depend on the child deserving it. A child may go wrong, but a mother never stops being a mother. Verses 6 and 7 widen the view, recalling how even a single syllable of the Goddess’s name transforms the lowly, and how Shiva himself is honoured as Lord of the Universe through his union with her. The closing verses (9 to 12) return to the personal plea: remembering the Mother in distress is not calculation but instinct, and no mother abandons a child buried under his own faults.
How to Chant
- Settle and face the image – Sit before a picture or idol of Durga or the Devi, light a lamp, and take a few slow breaths to steady the mind.
- Begin with intent – Silently acknowledge that you are asking the Mother to forgive any mistake in your worship, then start from the first verse.
- Read the meaning first – For each verse, glance at the meaning once so the words carry feeling rather than becoming mechanical.
- Chant unhurried – Recite all twelve verses aloud or in a soft murmur, keeping the rhythm even and letting the refrain sink in.
- Close with the phalashruti – End on the final couplet, offering yourself to the Mother's judgement, and sit quietly for a moment before rising.
What Are the Benefits of Chanting?
Devotees turn to this stotram less for a list of rewards and more for the peace of a clean conscience after worship. Its traditional value includes:
- Forgiveness for ritual errors: It formally asks the Mother to pardon mispronounced mantras, skipped steps and other lapses, so the puja feels complete.
- Freedom from guilt: The refrain that a mother never abandons her child eases the anxiety of not having worshipped perfectly.
- A humble frame of mind: Admitting one knows no mantra or method cultivates surrender over pride in ritual skill.
- A fitting close to Devi worship: It is the customary sealing prayer after Durga Saptashati and Navratri rituals.
- Deepened devotion: Its mother-and-child imagery turns worship from transaction into relationship.
- Steadiness in hardship: Verse 10's reminder that the distressed instinctively remember their mother offers comfort in difficult times.
Who Composed This Stotram?
The stotram is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, the eighth-century philosopher and devotional poet, and its final line names him: इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्य विरचितं देव्यपराधक्षमापण स्तोत्रम्. It belongs to the family of aparadha kshamapana (apology for offences) hymns that Shankara is said to have composed for Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha and the Devi alike.
By convention it is chanted at the very end of a Devi ritual, especially after a reading of the Durga Saptashati, so that any imperfection in the longer worship is placed at the Mother’s feet and forgiven before the devotee rises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who composed the Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram?
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, whose name appears in the closing line of the hymn (Shrimad Shankaracharya virachitam).
How many verses does the stotram have?
The standard recension has twelve verses, ending with the couplet 'mat-samah paataki naasti… evam gyaatvaa mahaadevi yathaa yogyam tathaa kuru.'
What does 'aparadha kshamapana' mean?
It means 'seeking forgiveness for offences.' The hymn asks the Divine Mother to pardon the mistakes a devotee makes during worship, such as mispronounced mantras or forgotten steps.
When should the Devi Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram be recited?
It is usually chanted at the close of a Devi puja or a Durga Saptashati recitation, and is especially recited during Navratri, to seek pardon for any lapse in the worship just performed.
What is the meaning of the repeated line about a mother?
The refrain 'kuputro jaayeta kvachid-api kumaataa na bhavati' means 'a child may sometimes turn out bad, but a mother never turns bad.' It expresses the hymn's core faith that the Mother's love does not depend on the devotee's merit.
Which Goddess is this stotram addressed to?
It is addressed to the Divine Mother in her form as Durga or the Devi, invoked by names such as Bhavani, Aparna, Shyama and Mridani through the verses.
॥ जगदम्ब विचित्रमत्र किम् ॥