Sankara - Kanaka Dhara Stotram

In Kaladi, Kerala, a learned brahmin, by the name of Sivaguru, and his wife, Aryambal, spent their life in pooja and in giving alms to poor and in other good deeds. This childless couple went to Trichur and performed puja for 48 days to Lord Vadakkunathan (Lord Shiva) and prayed for a son. Lord Shiva melted in their devotion and appeared before them and told them "I am extremely happy with your devotion and you will get what you want. But tell me whether you want a number of dull children or a son who is extremely intelligent, who will live for a short period only." The couple replied the decision could not be theirs as the Lord knows what is good for them. Lord Dakshinamurthy, pleased with the reply, was born to Aryambal under the star "Thiruvaithhirai". As the Lord had already promised that he will be born to do good to this world, the child was named Sankara. Sam means prosperity and Karathi means the giver. All the visitors stood in awe at the divinity of the child and said "This is not an ordinary child". As Shankara grew up, he attracted everybody with his intelligence and kindness. At the age of three, he was given "Aksharabyas", i.e., the learning of writing and reading. At the age of four, he lost his father. At the age of five, he was initiated in Brahmacharyam i.e., the holy thread ceremony was conducted and he was sent to Gurukul for learning of scriptures. As per the practice, the brahmachari has to go from house to house and take alms and submit this to his guru. On a Dwadasi day, Sankara happened to go to the house of a very poor lady and asked for the alms. The lady did not have a single grain of rice in her house to give. However she had kept a single Amla fruit for herself as it was a Dwadasi day. She unhesitatingly gave this Amla fruit to Sankara as she could not send a Brahmachari empty-handed. Sankara was moved by her selflessness and the poverty of the lady and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi in a beautiful sloka which is called "Kanaka Dhara Stotram". On completion of this stotram, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in person and showered a rain of golden coins on the poor lady's house.

Kanakadhara Stotram – Meaning

1)Angam hare pulaka bhooshanamasrayanthi,
Bhringanga neva mukulabharanam thamalam,
Angikrithakhila vibhuthirapanga leela,
Mangalyadasthu mama mangala devathaya.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, who dwells like a delightful ornament within Hari, like bees that are attracted to the half-open buds of the black Tamala tree and decorate them with their humming sound. The one who carries within her the opulence of the entire world and showers wealth through her divine glance. May that glance bring auspiciousness and prosperity into my life.

2)Mugdha muhurvidhadhadathi vadhane Murare,
Premathrapapranihithani gathagathani,
Mala dhrishotmadhukareeva maheth pale ya,
Sa ne sriyam dhisathu sagarasambhavaya.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, whose glances are directed towards the face of Hari (Murari). Charmed by his face, her glances are filled with love and bashfulness, as they return to his face time and again. Her glances are like the honey- bees that hover around the huge water lily. She who has risen from the ocean of milk, may she bestow her glance filled with good fortune upon me.

3)Ameelithaksha madhigamya mudha Mukundam
Anandakandamanimeshamananga thanthram,
Akekara stiththa kaninika pashma nethram,
Bhoothyai bhavenmama bhjangasayananganaya.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, who has captured the joyous face of Mukunda through her fully opened eyes, her gaze remaining on his ecstatic face with closed eyes. Her glance is filled with happiness and love. Let a glance that lavishes Mukunda, he who rests on the snake, from the corner of her eyes, come to rest on me.

4)Bahwanthare madhujitha srithakausthube ya,
Haravaleeva nari neela mayi vibhathi,
Kamapradha bhagavatho api kadaksha mala,
Kalyanamavahathu me kamalalayaya

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, who resides in the heart of the Conqueror of the demon Madhu, where lies the Kausthuba Mani (a most valuable gem in the world). Her glances shine like a bluish-yellow string of pearls that raise love in Hari. Through her string of side- glances, may the one who resides in lotuses, bless me with those side glances, touch my life, and bring auspiciousness and wealth to me.

5)Kalambudhaalithorasi kaida bhare,
Dharaadhare sphurathi yaa thadinganeva,
Mathu samastha jagatham mahaneeya murthy,
Badrani me dhisathu bhargava nandanaya

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, she who hovers like a bee, like a streak of lightning flashing over the bosom that resembles a black cloudy sky, the bosom of one who killed Kaithaba. The gracious Mother of the whole universe, the daughter of the mighty sage Bhargava. May her auspicious form touch my life and bring me prosperity.

6) Praptham padam pradhamatha khalu yat prabhavath,
Mangalyabhaji madhu madhini manamathena,
Mayyapadetha mathara meekshanardham,
Manthalasam cha makaralaya kanyakaya.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, through whose power Manmatha, the God of Love, was able to reach the one who slew Madhu- Hari, who is always connected with the one who bestows happiness. May the power from the glance of that kind and gentle half-open eyes, full of love and blessings, a glance so soft, of the daughter of the ocean, fall upon me.

7)Viswamarendra padhavee bramadhana dhaksham,
Ananda hethu radhikam madhu vishwoapi,
Eshanna sheedhathu mayi kshanameekshanartham, I
ndhivarodhara sahodharamidhiraya

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, she, who with a mere side glance, could grant the exalted position of the King of the three worlds to Indra. This made the enemy of Madhu, who is the Supreme Bliss, overwhelmed with joy. I pray that a glance through the splendor of those half-closed eyes resembling blue lotuses could rest on me, for just a moment.

8) Ishta visishtamathayopi yaya dhayardhra,
Dhrishtya thravishta papadam sulabham labhanthe,
Hrishtim prahrushta kamlodhara deepthirishtam,
Pushtim krishishta mama pushkravishtaraya.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. With just her divine glance, even the most difficult desires, like attaining a place in heaven, can be achieved. This is the power of her moist, compassionate eyes, the kindest eyes one can ever see. Her glance that bears the splendor of a lotus in bloom, that magical, joyous moment; may it come my way. May the merciful glance of the one seated in a lotus nourish my wishes.

9) Dhadyaddhayanupavanopi dravinambhudaraam,
Asminna kinchina vihanga sisou vishanne,
Dhushkaramagarmmapaneeya chiraya dhooram,
Narayana pranayinee nayanambhuvaha.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, and may she bestow the wind of her mercy and shower her wealth on this destitute, helpless like the child of a bird, driven by poverty. May she remove the impact of the burden of sins from my life. May she bestow the shower of rain of mercy from her eyes, she, the beloved of Narayana.

10)Gheerdhevathethi garuda dwaja sundarithi,
Sakambhareethi sasi shekara vallebhethi,
Srishti sthithi pralaya kelishu samsthitha ya,
Thasyai namas thribhvanai ka guros tharunyai.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. She is the Goddess of Knowledge and Speech. She is the beautiful consort of the one who carries Garuda as his emblem. She who sustains everyone with nature and vegetation, the beloved, and consort of the one with the crescent moon. She who observes the divine play of creation, maintenance, and destruction. The youthful consort of the Guru of all the worlds, the three worlds offer her their revered salutations.

11) Sruthyai namosthu shubha karma phala prasoothyai,
Rathyai namosthu ramaneeya gunarnavayai,
Shakthyai namosthu satha pathra nikethanayai,
Pushtayi namosthu purushotthama vallabhayai.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, she who symbolizes the Vedas, that help produce auspicious and positive results in life. She who is Rathi, an ocean of good qualities. She who is revered as Shakti, one who resides in the abode of hundred petals. Salutations to you, as the one who nourishes, the Goddess of plenty, the beloved of Purushottama.

12) Namosthu naleekha nibhananai,
Namosthu dhugdhogdhadhi janma bhoomayai,
Namosthu somamrutha sodharayai,
Namosthu narayana vallabhayai.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi, the one who has the face of a lotus in full bloom. Salutations to you, the one born of the ocean of milk, along with the moon and the divine nectar. Salutations to you, the most beloved of Narayana.

13) Namosthu hemambhuja peetikayai,
Namosthu bhoo mandala nayikayai,
Namosthu devathi dhaya prayai,
Namosthu Sarngayudha vallabhayai.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. She who is seated on the golden lotus. Salutations to the one who is the Goddess of the earth. Salutations to the one who shows mercy and showers her compassion on the Devas. I prostrate before you, O consort of Narayana, who wields the bow of Saranga.

14) Namosthu devyai bhrugu nandanayai,
Namosthu vishnorurasi sthithayai,
Namosthu lakshmyai kamalalayai,
Namosthu dhamodhra vallabhayai.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. My prayers to the one who is the daughter of Brighu. To the one who adorns the broad chest of Maha Vishnu. Salutations to the one seated on a lotus. Salutations to the one who is the consort of Damodara.

15) Namosthu Kanthyai kamalekshanayai,
Namosthu bhoothyai bhuvanaprasoothyai,
Namosthu devadhibhir archithayai,
Namosthu nandhathmaja vallabhayai.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. I prostrate before thee, the light in the lotus flower, the lotus-eyed one. Salutations to the one who is the earth and bestows prosperity. Salutations to the one worshipped by the Devas. Salutations to the consort of the son of Nanda.

16) Sampath karaani sakalendriya nandanani,
Samrajya dhana vibhavani saroruhakshi,
Twad vandanani dhuritha haranodhythani,
Mamev matharanisam kalayanthu manye.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. To the one whose lotus eyes are the cause of all prosperity, and who is the cause of great joy in all senses. She of the lotus eyes who has the power to bestow kingdoms. Singing your glories brings forth your grace that removes all difficulties, miseries, and the sins from our life. Mother, may I be always be blessed to serve you and sing your glories

17) Yath Kadaksha samupasana vidhi,
Sevakasya sakalartha sapadha,
Santhanodhi vachananga manasai,
Twaam murari hridayeswareem bhaje

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. The worship of your side glance that is blessed by the entire wealth and prosperity you bestow upon me. May my thoughts, words, and deeds be enveloped by your worship, you who are the beloved Goddess residing in the heart of Murari.

18) Sarasija-Nilaye Saroja-Haste,
Dhavalatama-Amshuka-Gandha-Maalya-Shobhe |
Bhagavati Hari-Vallabhe Manojnye,
Tri-Bhuvana-Bhuuti-Kari Prasiida Mahyam

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. She who abides in the lotus and holds the lotus in her hands. She who is dressed in dazzling white and is adorned with the most fragrant garlands and radiates a divine aura. She who is the most beloved of Hari and the source of immense happiness and is captivating. She who is the source of prosperity and well-being for all the three worlds. O Mother, please grace me with your compassion.

19)Dhiggasthibhi kanaka kumbha mukha vasrushta,
Sarvahini vimala charu jalaapluthangim,
Prathar namami jagathaam janani masesha,
Lokadhinatha grahini mamrithabhi puthreem.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. She who is bathed by the holy waters of the Ganges that flows from heaven showered from all directions in golden pitchers by the eight elephants. The water is pure and flows from the celestial region and beautifies her. I salute the Mother of the eternal universe early in the morning, she who is the consort of the Supreme Being, the Preserver, and the daughter of the ocean that gives nectar.

20)Kamale Kamalaksha vallabhe twam,
Karuna poora tharingithaira pangai,
Avalokaya mamakinchananam,
Prathamam pathamakrithrimam dhyaya

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. She who is the lotus-eyed of her beloved Hari. She whose eyes are filled with kindness and compassion, please look at me, this utterly destitute, and make me the first, deserving to be in the path of your unconditional compassion.

21)Sthuvanthi ye sthuthibhirameeranwaham,
Thrayeemayim thribhuvanamatharam ramam,
Gunadhika guruthara bhagya bhagina,
Bhavanthi the bhuvi budha bhavithasayo.

Salutations to Mother Lakshmi. Those who sing this hymn every day and glorify she who is the Supreme Goddess, the embodiment of the Vedas, the Mother of the three worlds, will receive blessings of virtues in abundance. They shall be blessed to have the wise in their destiny and will become wise by her awakening of their wisdom.