A humble devotee kneeling in tears before a softly glowing Shiva Linga in a dim temple, Shiva’s compassionate face and blessing hand appearing above in golden light
ShivaStuti

Karacharana Kritam Vaa

Lyrics · Meaning · Audio

A tender prayer asking Shiva to forgive every wrong — done by hands or feet, speech or body, eyes or ears or mind, knowingly or unknowingly — ending “Glory to you, ocean of compassion.”

From Adi Shankaracharya’s Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram

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Karacharana Kritam Vaa

Son of Kali · Karacharana Kritam Vaa (single)

0:008:50
Deity
Shiva
Type
Stuti
Verses
1
Language
Sanskrit

Karacharana Kritam Vaa Lyrics with Meaning

Each line shows an easy way to say it, with its English meaning. Turn on the Sanskrit, the exact pronunciation or the word-by-word meaning whenever you want to go deeper.

The Verse

करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा

Karacharana Kritam Vak Kayajam Karmajam Va

karacaraṇakṛtaṃ vākkāyajaṃ karmajaṃ vā

Whatever wrong I have done with my hands or feet, with speech or body, or through my actions,

    श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम् ।

    Shravana Nayanajam Va Manasam Vaparadham

    śravaṇanayanajaṃ vā mānasaṃ vāparādham

    through my ears or my eyes, or in my mind —

      विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व

      Vihitam Avihitam Va Sarvam Etat Kshamasva

      vihitamavihitaṃ vā sarvametatkṣamasva

      whether in doing what I should or what I should not — forgive me all of it.

        जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥

        Jaya Jaya Karunabdhe Shri Mahadeva Shambho

        jaya jaya karuṇābdhe śrīmahādeva śambho

        Victory, victory to you, ocean of compassion, glorious great god Shambhu!

          About Karacharana Kritam Vaa

          Karacharana Kritam Vaa is a single, beloved verse from the Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram, “the hymn asking Shiva’s forgiveness for wrongs,” attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. It is often recited on its own at the end of daily worship, and is also found at the close of the Shiva Manasa Puja.

          It is remarkably complete. It names every way we can go wrong — through our hands and feet (actions), speech and body, ears and eyes (what we take in), and the mind — whether the wrong was prescribed or forbidden, known or unknown. Then it asks for forgiveness for all of it at once.

          The verse is not about guilt. It ends in celebration: jaya jaya karuṇābdhe — “victory, victory to you, ocean of compassion.” It lets the day close with a clean slate.

          The Stories Inside the Hymn

          Ending worship with humility

          In Hindu worship it is customary to close with a request for forgiveness for any mistakes made during the ritual — a mispronounced word, a forgotten step, a distracted mind.

          This verse widens that idea from the ritual to the whole of life: whatever we did imperfectly today, we offer it to the compassion of Shiva.

          The ocean of compassion

          Shiva is often pictured as fierce, but the name Shiva itself means “the kind, the auspicious.” Shankara means “the one who gives peace.”

          Calling him karuṇābdhi, an ocean of compassion, reminds us that forgiveness is not something he grudgingly gives — it is his very nature.

          How to Chant Karacharana Kritam Vaa

          When to chant

          • ✦At the end of daily puja or meditation
          • ✦Before sleep, as a way of closing the day
          • ✦Mondays and Maha Shivaratri
          • ✦After an argument or a mistake

          How many times

          Once, or three times, at the close of worship.

          1. 1

            Sit quietly with joined palms.

          2. 2

            Briefly recall the day without judgement.

          3. 3

            Chant the verse slowly with the recording.

          4. 4

            On the last line, let go of whatever you are holding.

          5. 5

            Bow and rest for a moment.

          Pronunciation Guide

          The sounds that trip people up most in this hymn, and how to say them.

          karacaraṇakṛtaṃ

          ka-ra-cha-ra-na-kri-tum.

          kṣamasva

          ksha-mus-va — “forgive.”

          karuṇābdhe

          ka-ru-naab-dhay — “O ocean of compassion.”

          Karacharana Kritam Vaa by Son of Kali

          The music

          Karacharana Kritam Vaa

          by Son of Kali

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          Frequently Asked Questions

          What does Karacharana Kritam Vaa mean?

          It asks Shiva to forgive every wrong done through hands, feet, speech, body, actions, ears, eyes or mind, whether prescribed or forbidden, and ends “Victory to you, ocean of compassion, great god Shambhu.”

          Where does this verse come from?

          It is from the Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, and is also often recited at the end of the Shiva Manasa Puja.

          When should it be chanted?

          Traditionally at the end of daily worship or before sleep, to ask forgiveness for any mistakes of the day.

          Text: Shiva Aparadha Kshamapana Stotram attributed to Adi Shankaracharya — public domain. Easy reading, transliteration and English translation written for the Jaguar Medicine Tribe Mantra Library.

          Music: Recordings by Son of Kali, produced with AI-assisted vocals and instrumentation.

          Note: Benefits described here are traditional beliefs, shared for understanding — not medical or guaranteed outcomes.