My Apologies

Durga Saptashati, or Devi Mahatyam, is a Sanskrit work of incredible beauty. We experience some of this beauty when we read it fully during Navaratri.  We see experience more beauty if we pick up a few gems from the book and examine them in depth.

Once such gem is the Kshama Prarthana, or Forgiveness Prayer. Inspired by this, I wrote this poem in English. It is not a translation, just my first attempt at writing poetry in honor of the Mahadevi.

I make thousands of mistakes every night and day

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, that’s all I can say

I have sinned in so many lifetimes, the karma doesn’t go away

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, that’s all I can say

I don’t do any right actions, I don’t know how to pray

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, that’s all I can say

I have no devotion, I don’t know yoga, my life is only play

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, that’s all I can say

I don’t know how to come close to you, my feet are made of clay

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, that’s all I can say

I tremble in your presence, my mind goes all astray

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, that’s all I can say

Do what you will to me, save me or not, have your way

Forgive, forgive, O Goddess, forgive me, what more can I say?