Karpur Gauram Karunavtaaram

Karpur Gauram Karunavtaaram is a beautiful ancient Sanskrit śloka related to Lord Shiva. It is found in Yajurveda

Sloka -

Karpur Gauram Karunavataram |

Sansara Saram Bhujagendra Haram ||

Sada Vasantam Hridayaravinde |

Bhavam Bhavani Sahitam Namami ||

कर्पूरगौरम् करुणावतारम् |

संसारसारम् भुजगेन्द्रहारम् ||

सदा वसन्तम् हृदयारविन्दे |

भवम् भवानि सहितम् नमामि ||

Meaning -

I salute the merciful Bhava (i.e. Shiva), and his consort Sati, Adorned with the necklace of the serpent.

Word to word meaning-

Karpur Gauram : The one who is as pure as camphor(karpur)
Karuna avatar : The avatar full of compassion
Sansara Saram : The one who is the essence of the world
Bhujagendra haram: The one with the serpent king as his garland
Sada vasantam : Always residing
Hridaya arvinde: In the lotus of the heart
Bhavam Bhavani: Oh Lord and Goddess (Sati: wife of Shiva)
Sahitam Namami: I bow to you both