कर्पूरगौरं करुणावतारं मंत्र – Lyrics
Lyrics follow the most widely sung version. Regional variations exist.
Karpur Gauram Karunavtaram Mantra Meaning
Karpura-gauram: fair and pure like camphor. Karuna-avataram: the very incarnation of compassion. Sansara-saram: the essence of the whole world. Bhujagendra-haram: who wears the king of serpents as a garland.
Sada vasantam hridayaravinde: who always dwells in the lotus of the heart. Bhavam Bhavani-sahitam namami: I bow to Bhava (Shiva) together with Bhavani (Parvati).
Camphor burns completely and leaves no residue, just as the ego should dissolve in devotion. That is why this shloka is chanted while the camphor flame of the aarti is waved.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Karpur Gauram chanted after aarti?
It closes the aarti with a salutation to Shiva and Parvati and is chanted while camphor is burned, which symbolises the ego dissolving completely.
Where does Karpur Gauram come from?
It is a traditional Sanskrit shloka. A popular belief holds that Lord Vishnu sang it at the wedding of Shiva and Parvati.
How many times should it be chanted?
Once is customary at the end of aarti; some chant it three times.