karpur gauram karunavtaram Shloka Meaning
People often recite the incredibly powerful Sanskrit Shloka “Karpur Gauram Karunavataram” during prayers to Lord Shiva. People revere this shloka for its devotional power, poetic beauty, and spiritual significance.
Hindi Shloka:
कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं
संसारसारं भुजगेन्द्रहारम्।
सदावसन्तं हृदयारविन्दे
भवं भवानीसहितं नमामि॥
karpur gauram karunavtaram lyrics – English Translation
Karpura Gauram Karuṇavataram
Saṃsara Sāram Bhujagendra Haram।
Sada Vasantam Hṛdayaravinde
Bhavam Bhavani Sahitaṃ Namāmi॥
karpur gauram karunavtaram lyrics Meaning Word-by-Word:
- Karpura – Camphor
- Gauram — White, pure and radiant
- Karuna – Compassion
- Avataram – Incarnation, embodiment
- Samsara The cycle of death and life; worldly existence
- Saram – Essence, core
- Bhujagendra– King of serpents, referring to Vasuki and Shesha
- Haram Garland or Necklace
- Sada – Always
- Vasantam – Residing, present
- Hrdaya – Heart
- Aravinde – Lotus
- Bhavam Lord Shiva (also known as existence or becoming).
- Bhavani Goddess Parvati, consort to Shiva
- Sahitam– Together with, Together with
- Namami I bow down and salute you
Line-by-line Translation and Meaning
1. Karpura Gauram Karunavataram
“The One who has compassion in his heart, and is as radiant and white as camphor. “
The first line of this poem begins with a praise for Lord Shiva and his divine nature.
Camphor White (Karpura Gauram). Camphor is famous for its white color, and that it burns without any residue. It represents purity and selflessness.
The comparison of Lord Shiva to camphor shows His pure and transcendent nature. It also shows His detachment from the material world.
People consider Shiva, the embodiment of compassion (Karunavataram), to be the most compassionate deity. He is a powerful destroyer but His destruction is compassionate. He ends ignorance, illusion and suffering and allows for rebirth. This line reminds His infinity of kindness and willingness to uplift.
2. Samsara Saram Bhujagendra Haram
“The essence and meaning of life, decorated with a garland made of the great snake. “
The Essence of Samsara Shiva remains free from the cycle of life and death. He transcends this cycle, but He still permeates all creation. He is the ‘sara’ or the essence.
This is the truth behind the illusionary existence of the world. Shiva means to see the reality beyond appearances.
Artists usually depict Lord Shiva, the serpent king, wearing Vasuki or another snake around his neck. This represents the kundalini energie at the base the spine. The serpent is also a symbol of mastery over fear and death.
3. Sada Vasantam Hrdayaravinde
“The one who is always in the lotus heart. “
Always Residing (Sada Vasantam): This describes the eternal and unchanging character of Shiva. He is not an deity who lives in a distant heaven, but a indweller that is always present.
The lotus of the Heart (Hridaya Aravinde).: In Indian spirituality, people compare the heart to a flower. The lotus is a symbol of purity and spiritual awakening. Shiva resides there forever, as a witness and source for inner peace and wisdom.
4. Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami
“I bow down to Bhava, who is always with Bhavani” “
Bhavam: A title for Shiva originating from “bhava,” signifying “existence” or being. Shiva represents the source of all existence and embodies the transformative force of time.
Bhavani Sahitam: His partner, Bhavani, is the goddess Parvati. This symbolises the unbreakable link between Shiva and Shakti. It also represents static and dynamic, consciousness and energy. These are the two sides of one cosmic reality.
Namami “I bow down.” This is a sign of humility, devotion and surrender. The devotee acknowledges the wholeness of the divine by bowing down to Shiva and Parvati.
The Symbolism of Philosophy and Philosophical Interpretation
1. Camphor Analogy – Spiritual Purity
When ignited, camphor burns entirely, leaving no residue. This analogy perfectly embodies the concept of selfless devotion and a spiritual existence devoid of ego.
Shiva embodies purity akin to camphor. He remains untouched by illusions, desires, and ego, yet retains compassion. Spiritual seekers should let go of their ego. They should practice spirituality to connect with the Divine, like the flame of camphor.
2. Compassion is the highest power
Shiva’s compassion is at the heart of His worship. He is also known as Ashutosh. He is easily pleased and responds quickly to sincere devotion.
This is true no matter someone’s status, background, or purity. His compassion is the embodiment of true divine love. Reflecting on this will inspire you to cultivate compassion towards others.
3. Samsara Saram: The Inner Truth
The meaning of the phrase “samsara-saram” can be profound. This phrase suggests that, even in the chaos of desire, suffering and impermanence , there is an eternal core. Shiva is that essence. The devotee will find clarity in confusion, peace in pain, and truth in change by meditating on Him.
4. The Serpent is a Symbol for Energy and Awareness
It has a deep yogic significance. It represents mastery over primal energies and awakening of kundalini shakti — the coiled spiritual power within each being. Shiva wears the ornament to show that He has complete control over time and life force.
5. A Personal Deity
Shiva is more than a cosmic force. He is a personal who resides in every heart.
This line asserts that the divine is present and not distant. In yogic philosophy, people view the heart as a spiritual center. The lotus represents a state of awakening and blooming. Shiva already exists when we open our hearts and still the mind.
6. Divine Union Shiva and Shakti
The last line talks about Bhavani. This means that ultimate reality has two parts. One part is pure awareness, called Shiva. The other part is Divine energy, known as Shakti.
The union of the two is a symbol of nonduality and unity of all existence. It teaches consciousness and creation are inseparable and that the divine manifests itself as stillness, motion and expression.
Read About Lord Shiva Mantra
