Variational, nonrelativisitic energies have been calculated for the ground state ( 3 P g ) and the lowest quintuplet state ( 5 S u ) of the carbon atom, with wavefunctions expressed in the basis of symmetry-projected, explicitly correlated Gaussian (ECG) lobe functions. New exact limits of these energies have been estimated, amounting to −37.844906(4) and −37.691751(2) hartree. With finite nuclear masses and leading, scalar relativistic corrections included, respective experimental excitation energy of 12 C has been reproduced with accuracy of about 7 cm −1 .