Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 69
अतो व्यतिक्रमं मे ऽद्य क्षंतुमर्हसि शंकर । इति विज्ञापितस्ताभ्यामीश्वराभ्यां महेश्वरः
ato vyatikramaṃ me 'dya kṣaṃtumarhasi śaṃkara | iti vijñāpitastābhyāmīśvarābhyāṃ maheśvaraḥ
«C’est pourquoi, ô Śaṅkara, daigne pardonner aujourd’hui ma faute.» Ainsi supplié par ces deux seigneurs divins, Mahādeva (Mahēśvara) en fut dûment informé et s’apprêta à répondre.
Suta Goswami (narrating the dialogue to the sages; the direct plea is spoken by one of the two Īśvaras addressing Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a single Jyotirliṅga; it reflects the archetypal ‘Brahmā–Viṣṇu seek/contend, then petition Śiva’ motif that underlies several liṅga-manifestation legends.
Significance: General teaching: even exalted deities approach Śiva through kṣamā-yācñā (seeking forgiveness), modeling humility for pilgrims.
Mantra: अतो व्यतिक्रमं मे ऽद्य क्षंतुमर्हसि शंकर ।
Type: stotra
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta ethic of śaraṇāgati (surrender): acknowledging one’s lapse (aparādha/vyatikrama) and seeking Śiva’s kṣamā, trusting that the Pati (Lord) liberates the paśu through grace when approached with humility.
The address “Śaṅkara/Mahēśvara” frames devotion to Saguna Śiva—approaching the Lord as a compassionate person who hears petitions. In Linga-worship, this same attitude is expressed through confession, prayer, and returning to right conduct before the Linga as the living presence of Śiva.
A practical takeaway is daily kṣamā-prārthanā (prayer for forgiveness) before Śiva—mentally offering repentance, then repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a resolve to avoid further transgression.