Verse 1 — In the womb
आदौ कर्मप्रसङ्गात्कलयति कलुषं मातृकुक्षौ स्थितं मां
Adau Karma Prasangat Kalayati Kalusham Matrikukshau Sthitam Mam
ādau karmaprasaṅgātkalayati kaluṣaṃ mātṛkukṣau sthitaṃ māṃ
At the very start, because of my past actions, I lay in my mother’s womb amid impurity,
विण्मूत्रामेध्यमध्ये क्वथयति नितरां जाठरो जातवेदाः ।
Vinmutramedhya Madhye Kvathayati Nitaram Jatharo Jatavedah
viṇmūtrāmedhyamadhye kvathayati nitarāṃ jāṭharo jātavedāḥ
among waste and filth, cooked by the heat of the belly;
यद्यद्वै तत्र दुःखं व्यथयति नितरां शक्यते केन वक्तुं
Yadyadvai Tatra Duhkham Vyathayati Nitaram Shakyate Kena Vaktum
yadyadvai tatra duḥkhaṃ vyathayati nitarāṃ śakyate kena vaktuṃ
who could describe all the pain that tormented me there?
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ १ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
Please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 2 — Childhood
बाल्ये दुःखातिरेको मललुलितवपुः स्तन्यपाने पिपासा
Balye Duhkhatireko Malalulita Vapuh Stanyapane Pipasa
bālye duḥkhātireko malalulitavapuḥ stanyapāne pipāsā
In childhood: endless pain, a body smeared with dirt, always thirsty for the breast,
नो शक्तश्चेन्द्रियेभ्यो भवगुणजनिता जन्तवो मां तुदन्ति ।
No Shaktashchendriyebhyo Bhavaguna Janita Jantavo Mam Tudanti
no śaktaścendriyebhyo bhavaguṇajanitā jantavo māṃ tudanti
unable to use my senses, bitten by the insects of the world;
नानारोगादिदुःखाद्रुदनपरवशः शङ्करं न स्मरामि
Nana Rogadi Duhkhad Rudana Paravashah Shankaram Na Smarami
nānārogādiduḥkhādrudanaparavaśaḥ śaṅkaraṃ na smarāmi
lost in crying from illnesses and every pain, I did not remember Shankara —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ २ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 3 — Youth
प्रौढोऽहं यौवनस्थो विषयविषधरैः पञ्चभिर्मर्मसन्धौ
Praudho Aham Yauvanastho Vishaya Vishadharaih Panchabhir Marmasandhau
prauḍho'haṃ yauvanastho viṣayaviṣadharaiḥ pañcabhirmarmasandhau
Grown up, in the prime of youth, I was bitten in my vital points by the five snakes of the senses;
दष्टो नष्टो विवेकः सुतधनयुवतिस्वादुसौख्ये निषण्णः ।
Dashto Nashto Vivekah Suta Dhana Yuvati Svadu Saukhye Nishannah
daṣṭo naṣṭo vivekaḥ sutadhanayuvatisvādusaukhye niṣaṇṇaḥ
bitten, my discernment was lost, and I sank into the pleasures of children, money, romance and good food;
शैवीचिन्ताविहीनं मम हृदयमहो मानगर्वाधिरूढं
Shaivi Chinta Vihinam Mama Hridayamaho Managarvadhirudham
śaivīcintāvihīnaṃ mama hṛdayamaho mānagarvādhirūḍhaṃ
alas, my heart, empty of thoughts of Shiva, was ruled by pride and arrogance —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ३ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 4 — Old age
वार्धक्ये चेन्द्रियाणां विगतगतिमतिश्चाधिदैवादितापैः
Vardhakye Chendriyanam Vigata Gati Matish Chadhidaivaditapaih
vārdhakye cendriyāṇāṃ vigatagatimatiścādhidaivāditāpaiḥ
In old age my senses and mind lost their power; afflicted by fate and the world,
पापै रोगैर्वियोगैस्त्वनवसितवपुः प्रौढिहीनं च दीनम् ।
Papai Rogair Viyogais Tvanavasita Vapuh Praudhihinam Cha Dinam
pāpai rogairviyogaistvanavasitavapuḥ prauḍhihīnaṃ ca dīnam
worn out by wrongdoing, illness and separations, my body weak and miserable;
मिथ्यामोहाभिलाषैर्भ्रमति मम मनो धूर्जटेर्ध्यानशून्यं
Mithya Mohabhilashair Bhramati Mama Mano Dhurjater Dhyana Shunyam
mithyāmohābhilāṣairbhramati mama mano dhūrjaṭerdhyānaśūnyaṃ
still my mind wandered after false delusions and desires, empty of meditation on Shiva —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ४ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 5 — Duties neglected
नो शक्यं स्मार्तकर्म प्रतिपदगहनप्रत्यवायाकुलाख्यं
No Shakyam Smartakarma Pratipada Gahana Pratyavayakulakhyam
no śakyaṃ smārtakarma pratipadagahanapratyavāyākulākhyaṃ
I could not perform the household rites, so complex and full of pitfalls at every step;
श्रौते वार्ता कथं मे द्विजकुलविहिते ब्रह्ममार्गेऽसुसारे ।
Shraute Varta Katham Me Dvijakula Vihite Brahmamarge Asusare
śraute vārtā kathaṃ me dvijakulavihite brahmamārge'susāre
what then of the Vedic rites, or the difficult path to Brahman taught for the learned?
ज्ञातो धर्मो विचारैः श्रवणमननयोः किं निदिध्यासितव्यं
Jnato Dharmo Vicharaih Shravana Mananayoh Kim Nididhyasitavyam
jñāto dharmo vicāraiḥ śravaṇamananayoḥ kiṃ nididhyāsitavyaṃ
I never learned dharma through study, through listening and reflection — what then of deep meditation?
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ५ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
Please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 6 — Worship not offered
स्नात्वा प्रत्यूषकाले स्नपनविधिविधौ नाहृतं गाङ्गतोयं
Snatva Pratyushakale Snapana Vidhi Vidhau Nahritam Gangatoyam
snātvā pratyūṣakāle snapanavidhividhau nāhṛtaṃ gāṅgatoyaṃ
I never bathed at dawn and brought Ganga water to bathe your Linga,
पूजार्थं वा कदाचिद्बहुतरगहनात्खण्डबिल्वीदलानि ।
Pujartham Va Kadachid Bahutara Gahanat Khanda Bilvi Dalani
pūjārthaṃ vā kadācidbahutaragahanātkhaṇḍabilvīdalāni
nor ever gathered bilva leaves from the deep forest for your worship,
नानीता पद्ममाला सरसि विकसिता गन्धपुष्पे त्वदर्थं
Nanita Padmamala Sarasi Vikasita Gandhapushpe Tvadartham
nānītā padmamālā sarasi vikasitā gandhapuṣpe tvadarthaṃ
nor brought you a garland of lotuses blooming in the lake, nor fragrant flowers —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ६ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 7
दुग्धैर्मध्वाज्ययुक्तैर्दधिसितसहितैः स्नापितं नैव लिङ्गं
Dugdhair Madhvajya Yuktair Dadhi Sita Sahitaih Snapitam Naiva Lingam
dugdhairmadhvājyayuktairdadhisitasahitaiḥ snāpitaṃ naiva liṅgaṃ
I never bathed your Linga in milk mixed with honey and ghee, with curd and sugar,
नो लिप्तं चन्दनाद्यैः कनकविरचितैः पूजितं न प्रसूनैः ।
No Liptam Chandanadyaih Kanaka Virachitaih Pujitam Na Prasunaih
no liptaṃ candanādyaiḥ kanakaviracitaiḥ pūjitaṃ na prasūnaiḥ
never anointed it with sandal paste, nor worshipped it with golden flowers,
धूपैः कर्पूरदीपैर्विविधरसयुतैर्नैव भक्ष्योपहारैः
Dhupaih Karpura Dipair Vividha Rasayutair Naiva Bhakshyopaharaih
dhūpaiḥ karpūradīpairvividharasayutairnaiva bhakṣyopahāraiḥ
nor with incense, camphor lamps and offerings of food of every flavour —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ७ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 8
ध्यात्वा चित्ते शिवाख्यं प्रचुरतरधनं नैव दत्तं द्विजेभ्यो
Dhyatva Chitte Shivakhyam Pracurataradhanam Naiva Dattam Dvijebhyo
dhyātvā citte śivākhyaṃ pracurataradhanaṃ naiva dattaṃ dvijebhyo
Meditating on you in my heart, I never gave generous gifts to the learned,
हव्यं ते लक्षसङ्ख्यैर्हुतवहवदने नार्पितं बीजमन्त्रैः ।
Havyam Te Laksha Sankhyair Hutavaha Vadane Narpitam Bijamantraih
havyaṃ te lakṣasaṅkhyairhutavahavadane nārpitaṃ bījamantraiḥ
never poured offerings into the sacred fire for you with a hundred thousand seed mantras,
नो तप्तं गाङ्गतीरे व्रतजपनियमैः रुद्रजाप्यैर्न वेदैः
No Taptam Gangatire Vrata Japa Niyamaih Rudra Japyair Na Vedaih
no taptaṃ gāṅgatīre vratajapaniyamaiḥ rudrajāpyairna vedaiḥ
never practised austerity on the Ganga’s bank with vows, japa and discipline, nor with the Rudram or the Vedas —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ८ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 9 — Meditation not practised
स्थित्वा स्थाने सरोजे प्रणवमयमरुत्कुम्भके सूक्ष्ममार्गे
Sthitva Sthane Saroje Pranavamaya Marut Kumbhake Sukshmamarge
sthitvā sthāne saroje praṇavamayamarutkumbhake sūkṣmamārge
Never seated in the lotus of the heart, holding the breath filled with Om in the subtle channel,
शान्ते स्वान्ते प्रलीने प्रकटितविभवे ज्योतिरूपे पराख्ये ।
Shante Svante Praline Prakatita Vibhave Jyotirupe Parakhye
śānte svānte pralīne prakaṭitavibhave jyotirūpe parākhye
with the mind at peace and dissolved in the radiant supreme light,
लिङ्गज्ञे ब्रह्मवाक्ये सकलतनुगतं शङ्करं न स्मरामि
Lingajne Brahmavakye Sakala Tanugatam Shankaram Na Smarami
liṅgajñe brahmavākye sakalatanugataṃ śaṅkaraṃ na smarāmi
known through the Linga and the words of the Vedas — I did not remember Shankara, present in every body —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ ९ ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 10
नग्नो निःसङ्गशुद्धस्त्रिगुणविरहितो ध्वस्तमोहान्धकारो
Nagno Nihsanga Shuddhas Triguna Virahito Dhvasta Mohandhakaro
nagno niḥsaṅgaśuddhastriguṇavirahito dhvastamohāndhakāro
Never living as a renunciant — free, pure, beyond the three qualities, the darkness of delusion destroyed,
नासाग्रे न्यस्तदृष्टिर्विदितभवगुणो नैव दृष्टः कदाचित् ।
Nasagre Nyasta Drishtir Vidita Bhavaguno Naiva Drishtah Kadachit
nāsāgre nyastadṛṣṭirviditabhavaguṇo naiva dṛṣṭaḥ kadācit
eyes fixed on the tip of the nose, knowing the nature of the world — I never saw you,
उन्मन्याऽवस्थया त्वां विगतकलिमलं शङ्करं न स्मरामि
Unmanyavasthaya Tvam Vigata Kalimalam Shankaram Na Smarami
unmanyā'vasthayā tvāṃ vigatakalimalaṃ śaṅkaraṃ na smarāmi
never remembered you in the state beyond mind, Shankara, free of all impurity —
क्षन्तव्यो मेऽपराधः शिव शिव शिव भो श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ १० ॥
Kshantavyo Me Aparadhah Shiva Shiva Shiva Bho Shri Mahadeva Shambho
kṣantavyo me'parādhaḥ śiva śiva śiva bho śrīmahādeva śambho
please forgive my faults, O Shiva, Shiva, Shiva, O holy great God, Shambhu.
Verse 11 — Turn the mind to Shiva
चन्द्रोद्भासितशेखरे स्मरहरे गङ्गाधरे शङ्करे
Chandrodbhasita Shekhare Smarahare Gangadhare Shankare
candrodbhāsitaśekhare smarahare gaṅgādhare śaṅkare
On Shankara, whose crown shines with the moon, destroyer of Kama, bearer of the Ganga,
सर्पैर्भूषितकण्ठकर्णविवरे नेत्रोत्थवैश्वानरे ।
Sarpair Bhushita Kantha Karna Vivare Netrottha Vaishvanare
sarpairbhūṣitakaṇṭhakarṇavivare netrotthavaiśvānare
his throat and ears adorned with serpents, fire rising from his eye,
दन्तित्वक्कृतसुन्दराम्बरधरे त्रैलोक्यसारे हरे
Dantitvak Krita Sundarambara Dhare Trailokya Sare Hare
dantitvakkṛtasundarāmbaradhare trailokyasāre hare
wearing a fine garment of elephant hide, Hara, the essence of the three worlds —
मोक्षार्थं कुरु चित्तवृत्तिमखिलामन्यैस्तु किं कर्मभिः ॥ ११ ॥
Mokshartham Kuru Chittavrittim Akhilam Anyaistu Kim Karmabhih
mokṣārthaṃ kuru cittavṛttimakhilāmanyaistu kiṃ karmabhiḥ
for the sake of liberation, turn your whole mind to him; what use are other actions?
Verse 12 — All is passing
किं वानेन धनेन वाजिकरिभिः प्राप्तेन राज्येन किं
Kim Vanena Dhanena Vajikaribhih Praptena Rajyena Kim
kiṃ vānena dhanena vājikaribhiḥ prāptena rājyena kiṃ
What is the use of this wealth, of horses and elephants, of winning a kingdom?
किं वा पुत्रकलत्रमित्रपशुभिर्देहेन गेहेन किम् ।
Kim Va Putra Kalatra Mitra Pashubhir Dehena Gehena Kim
kiṃ vā putrakalatramitrapaśubhirdehena gehena kim
What use are children, spouse, friends, cattle, this body, this house?
ज्ञात्वैतत्क्षणभङ्गुरं सपदि रे त्याज्यं मनो दूरतः
Jnatvaitat Kshanabhanguram Sapadi Re Tyajyam Mano Duratah
jñātvaitatkṣaṇabhaṅguraṃ sapadi re tyājyaṃ mano dūrataḥ
Knowing all this breaks in a moment, O mind, let it go at once;
स्वात्मार्थं गुरुवाक्यतो भज भज श्रीपार्वतीवल्लभम् ॥ १२ ॥
Svatmartham Guruvakyato Bhaja Bhaja Shri Parvati Vallabham
svātmārthaṃ guruvākyato bhaja bhaja śrīpārvatīvallabham
for the sake of your own Self, as the teacher says, worship, worship the beloved of Parvati.
Verse 13 — Life drains away
आयुर्नश्यति पश्यतां प्रतिदिनं याति क्षयं यौवनं
Ayur Nashyati Pashyatam Pratidinam Yati Kshayam Yauvanam
āyurnaśyati paśyatāṃ pratidinaṃ yāti kṣayaṃ yauvanaṃ
Life perishes before our eyes; day by day youth wastes away;
प्रत्यायान्ति गताः पुनर्न दिवसाः कालो जगद्भक्षकः ।
Pratyayanti Gatah Punar Na Divasah Kalo Jagad Bhakshakah
pratyāyānti gatāḥ punarna divasāḥ kālo jagadbhakṣakaḥ
days that are gone never return; time devours the world;
लक्ष्मीस्तोयतरङ्गभङ्गचपला विद्युच्चलं जीवितं
Lakshmis Toya Taranga Bhanga Chapala Vidyucchalam Jivitam
lakṣmīstoyataraṅgabhaṅgacapalā vidyuccalaṃ jīvitaṃ
fortune is fickle as a breaking wave, and life flickers like lightning —
तस्मात्त्वां शरणागतं शरणद त्वं रक्ष रक्षाधुना ॥ १३ ॥
Tasmat Tvam Sharanagatam Sharanada Tvam Raksha Rakshadhuna
tasmāttvāṃ śaraṇāgataṃ śaraṇada tvaṃ rakṣa rakṣādhunā
so, O giver of refuge, protect me, protect me now, for I have come to you for shelter.
Verse 14 — Karacharana Kritam
करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा
Karacharana Kritam Vak Kayajam Karmajam Va
karacaraṇakṛtaṃ vākkāyajaṃ karmajaṃ vā
Whatever wrong I have done with my hands or feet, by speech or body, through my actions,
श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम् ।
Shravana Nayanajam Va Manasam Vaparadham
śravaṇanayanajaṃ vā mānasaṃ vāparādham
through my ears or 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 it all.
जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो ॥ १४ ॥
Jaya Jaya Karunabdhe Shri Mahadeva Shambho
jaya jaya karuṇābdhe śrīmahādeva śambho
Victory, victory, O ocean of compassion, holy great God, Shambhu!
