Karpura Gauram

कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं
संसारसारम् भुजगेन्द्रहारम् ।
सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे
भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि ॥
karpūragauraṃ karuṇāvatāraṃ
saṃsārasāram bhujagendrahāram .
sadāvasantaṃ hṛdayāravinde
bhavaṃ bhavānīsahitaṃ namāmi ..
I bow to Lord Shiva, who is as white as camphor, the embodiment of compassion, and the essence of worldly existence. He wears a garland of serpents and always resides in the lotus of the devotee’s heart. I offer my respects to Him, who is ever united with Goddess Bhavani (Parvati).

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Description

Karpur Gauram Karunavtaaram is a very powerful and popular mantra chanted especially during Aarati (or Mangala Arati) to the Lord. It is an ancient Sanskrit Shloka related to Lord Shiva and is also known as Shiva Yajur Mantra. Karpur Gauram Karunavtaaram mantra is found in Yajurveda, one of the four Vedas.

The word Shiva signifies the auspicious. Lord Shiva roots out sin and terror and is the bestower of earthly happiness, promoter of good, and auspiciousness. Shiva is also called Sankara which means doer of good. Shiva takes one beyond the three bodies (Tripura), gross, subtle, and causal that envelope the Jeeva or the embodied soul. He is hence the Hara or the remover of all evil and the idol of renunciation.

This mantra is considered among the most powerful mantras of protection, it protects us from negativity, dangers and enemies. Chanting Shiva’s mantra regularly changes our vibrations and energies both within our body and outside and brings us success and prosperity in all areas of our life.

Word-by-Word Meaning
karpūragauraṃ:
karpūra: camphor
gauraṃ: white
Meaning: One who is as pure and white as camphor, symbolizing purity and detachment.

karuṇāvatāraṃ:
karuṇā: compassion
avatāraṃ: incarnation
Meaning: The incarnation of compassion, reflecting Shiva’s boundless mercy and grace.

saṃsārasāram:
saṃsāra: the cycle of birth and rebirth
sāram: essence
Meaning: The essence of worldly existence, implying that Shiva transcends the illusions of this world.

bhujagendrahāram:
bhujagendra: the king of serpents
hāram: garland
Meaning: One who wears a garland of serpents, symbolizing fearlessness and mastery over death.

sadāvasantaṃ hṛdayāravinde:
sadā: always
vasantaṃ: dwelling
hṛdayāravinde: in the lotus of the heart
Meaning: The one who always resides in the lotus of the heart, indicating the presence of the divine within every soul.

bhavaṃ bhavānīsahitaṃ namāmi:
bhavaṃ: Lord Shiva
bhavānī: Goddess Parvati
sahitaṃ: together with
namāmi: I bow down
Meaning: I bow down to Shiva, who is always with Goddess Bhavani (Parvati), symbolizing the inseparable union of consciousness and energy.

This verse expresses deep reverence toward Lord Shiva and Parvati, encouraging the devotee to seek their blessings for spiritual growth, inner peace, and transcendence. It highlights Shiva’s qualities of compassion, purity, and fearlessness while also emphasizing the importance of recognizing the divine within oneself.


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Karpura Gauram – Shiva – In Sanskrit with English Transliteration, Translation and Meaning. Commentary for selected Shlokams.