Karpura Gauram Lyrics & Meaning - English
Beautifully presented. The "Karpura Gauram" shloka is one of the most elegant and widely recited Sanskrit prayers to Lord Shiva, often chanted during Aarti, Puja, or moments of spiritual reflection.
Let me walk you through a verse-by-verse explanation and the inner essence, combining the literal meaning with spiritual significance.
š¼ || Karpura Gauram ||
Sanskrit Verse:
KarpÅ«ra Gauram Karuį¹ÄvatÄram
SansÄra SÄram Bhujagendra HÄram
SadÄ Vasantam Hį¹dayÄravinde
Bhavam BhavÄnÄ« Sahitam NamÄmi
šø Line 1:
KarpÅ«ra Gauram Karuį¹ÄvatÄram
“I bow to the One who is as white as camphor, the embodiment of compassion.”
- KarpÅ«ra Gauram – Lord Shiva is as radiantly white as burning camphor, symbolizing purity, detachment, and spiritual illumination.
- Karuį¹ÄvatÄram – He is the incarnation of compassion, protecting his devotees, forgiving sins, and granting liberation (moksha).
š Essence: Shiva’s form is serene, cool, and pure—just like camphor. His nature is mercy itself.
šø Line 2:
SansÄra SÄram Bhujagendra HÄram
“He is the essence of the universe, wearing the king of serpents as his garland.”
- SansÄra SÄram – He is the core or essence of this entire worldly existence. Despite the illusion of the world, Shiva is its underlying truth.
- Bhujagendra HÄram – He wears a garland of snakes, symbolizing fearlessness and mastery over death and time.
š Essence: Shiva is both transcendent and immanent—the hidden divine spark in all life. Snakes on him represent control over ego and primal fears.
šø Line 3:
SadÄ Vasantam Hį¹dayÄravinde
“Who eternally dwells in the lotus of the devotee's heart.”
- SadÄ Vasantam – He always resides and is ever-present.
- Hį¹dayÄravinde – Within the lotus-heart, the inner sacred space of the seeker.
š Essence: Shiva is not a distant god—He lives in your heart, in stillness and love. The lotus here stands for purity blossoming from within, even amid worldly distractions.
šø Line 4:
Bhavam BhavÄnÄ« Sahitam NamÄmi
“I bow to Lord Shiva, along with Goddess BhavÄnÄ« (Parvati).”
- Bhavam – Another name for Shiva, meaning the source of existence.
- BhavÄnÄ« Sahitam – With Goddess Parvati, the embodiment of Shakti, the divine feminine energy.
- NamÄmi – I offer my salutations / I bow down.
š Essence: This is a bow to the divine union of Shiva and Shakti, of consciousness and energy, the masculine and feminine principle. Together, they represent the balance of creation and liberation.
š Spiritual Significance:
- This is not merely a praise of form but a meditation on divine qualities.
- It centers you in peace, devotion, and inner awareness.
- Regular chanting can bring a sense of calm, detachment, and connection to the divine within you.
šø Summary Translation (in One Flow):
"I bow to the Lord who is pure white like camphor,
An embodiment of compassion,
The essence of all worldly existence,
Who wears the serpent king as his garland,
Who eternally resides in the lotus-heart of his devotees,
I bow to that Lord Shiva, along with Mother Parvati."
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