Shloka 79
दशशैवव्रतप्रश्नः — Inquiry into the Ten Principal Śaiva Vratas
अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानाज्जपपूजादिकं मया । कृपानिधित्वाज्ज्ञात्वैव भूतनाथ प्रसीद मे
ajñānādyadi vā jñānājjapapūjādikaṃ mayā | kṛpānidhitvājjñātvaiva bhūtanātha prasīda me
سواء أديتُ الجَپَا (japa) والعبادة وسائر الشعائر عن جهلٍ أو عن معرفةٍ صادقة—يا بُهوتَناثا (Bhūtanātha) يا سيّد الكائنات، إذ أعلم أنك كنزُ الرحمة، فتفضّل عليّ بالرضا واللطف.
A devotee (as narrated by Suta Goswami in the Kotirudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Emphasizes that ritual efficacy is ultimately completed by Śiva’s compassion, even when the devotee’s understanding is imperfect—aligning with Siddhānta’s primacy of anugraha over mere karma.
Mantra: अज्ञानाद्यदि वा ज्ञानाज्जपपूजादिकं मया । कृपानिधित्वाज्ज्ञात्वैव भूतनाथ प्रसीद मे
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It expresses śaraṇāgati (surrender): even if one’s worship is imperfect or done without full understanding, Shiva’s nature as kṛpā-nidhi (storehouse of grace) makes Him accessible through humility and repentance.
Linga-worship and other saguna practices (japa, pūjā) are offered here with a contrite heart; the verse emphasizes that the inner bhakti and Shiva’s compassion complete the ritual, even when the devotee’s knowledge is limited.
A concluding kṣamā-prārthanā (forgiveness prayer) after japa and pūjā—especially with Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya")—recognizing faults and seeking Shiva’s prasāda (grace).