Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 111
Devapūjā-krama: Ārghya-saṃskāra, Maṇḍala–Nyāsa, Mudrā-pradarśana, Āvaraṇa-arcana, Homa, Japa, and Kṣamāpaṇa
यन्न्यूनमतिरिक्तं वा तत्सर्वं क्षन्तुमर्हसि । द्रव्यहीनं क्रियाहीनं मंत्रहीनं मयान्यथा ॥ १११ ॥
yannyūnamatiriktaṃ vā tatsarvaṃ kṣantumarhasi | dravyahīnaṃ kriyāhīnaṃ maṃtrahīnaṃ mayānyathā || 111 ||
Whatever has been done deficiently or in excess—please forgive all of it. Whatever I performed otherwise than prescribed, lacking proper offerings, lacking proper rites, or lacking the proper mantras—may it all be pardoned.
Ritual performer/devotee (addressing the deity/adhidevata as a kṣamā-prārthanā at the close of a rite)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It teaches ritual humility: even when worship is imperfect—by shortage, excess, or procedural error—one should consciously seek forgiveness, aligning the act with sincerity (bhāva) and dharma.
Bhakti is shown as dependence on divine grace rather than personal perfection; the devotee admits limitations in materials, actions, and mantras, and offers a heartfelt request for pardon.
It reflects the Vedāṅga-based concern for correct mantra and kriyā (procedure): errors can occur in recitation and ritual steps, so a formal kṣamā-prārthanā functions as a practical safeguard within Vedic-style worship.