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🕉 Kanakdhara Stotram

📜 Kanakdhara Stotram

Stotra

AuthorAdi Shankaracharya

LanguageSanskrit

Verses18

Recitation timeabout 6 minutes

Special daysFriday, Akshaya Tritiya, Deepavali

GoddessMahalakshmi

The Kanakdhara Stotram is a famous composition of Adi Shankaracharya. The story goes that the boy Shankara went begging for alms to the house of a poor brahmin woman; she had nothing but a dry amla fruit, which she gave hesitantly. Moved by her poverty, Shankara sang this hymn to Lakshmi and (as per the story) golden amlas rained there — hence the name «Kanakadhara», the stream of gold.

📖 Full text — with meaning

Tap «Roman (English) script» to see the original Devanagari text.

अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणमाश्रयन्ती भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम्। अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला माङ्गल्यदास्तु मम मङ्गलदेवतायाः॥१॥

Angam Hareh Pulakabhushanamashrayanti Bhringanganeva Mukulabharanam Tamalam | Angikritakhilavibhutirapangalila Mangalyadastu Mama Mangaladevatayah ||1 ||

As a female bee rests on a tamala tree adorned with buds, so Lakshmi's sidelong glance rests on Hari's body thrilled with joy, holding within it all riches — may that playful glance of the goddess of auspiciousness bring me auspiciousness.

मुग्धा मुहुर्विदधती वदने मुरारेः प्रेमत्रपाप्रणिहितानि गतागतानि। माला दृशोर्मधुकरीव महोत्पले या सा मे श्रियं दिशतु सागरसम्भवायाः॥२॥

Mugdha Muhurvidadhati Vadane Murareh Prematrapapranihitani Gatagatani | Mala Drishormadhukariva Mahotpale Ya Sa Me Shriyam Dishatu Sagarasambhavayah ||2 ||

The garland of glances which, out of love and shyness, goes again and again to Murari's face like a bee to a blue lotus — may that glance of the ocean-born goddess give me prosperity.

विश्वामरेन्द्रपदविभ्रमदानदक्षमानन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि। ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणमीक्षणार्धमिन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः॥३॥

Vishvamarendrapadavibhramadanadakshamanandaheturadhikam Muravidvisho'pi | Ishannishidatu Mayi Kshanamikshanardhamindivarodarasahodaramindirayah ||3 ||

The half-glance of Indira, like the inside of a blue lotus — able to grant even Indra's throne and giving still more joy to Vishnu, enemy of Mura — may it rest on me for a moment.

आमीलिताक्षमधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दमानन्दकन्दमनिमेषमनङ्गतन्त्रम्। आकेकरस्थितकनीनिकपक्ष्मनेत्रं भूत्यै भवेन्मम भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः॥४॥

Amilitakshamadhigamya Muda Mukundamanandakandamanimeshamanangatantram | Akekarasthitakaninikapakshmanetram Bhutyai Bhavenmama Bhujangashayanganayah ||4 ||

The eyes of the consort of Vishnu (who reclines on the serpent), gazing unblinking with joy at Mukunda, the root of bliss, with lashes half-closed and pupils still — may they be the cause of my prosperity.

बाह्वन्तरे मधुजितः श्रितकौस्तुभे या हारावलीव हरिनीलमयी विभाति। कामप्रदा भगवतोऽपि कटाक्षमाला कल्याणमावहतु मे कमलालयायाः॥५॥

Bahvantare Madhujitah Shritakaustubhe Ya Haravaliva Harinilamayi Vibhati | Kamaprada Bhagavato'pi Katakshamala Kalyanamavahatu Me Kamalalayayah ||5 ||

The garland of glances that shines like a sapphire necklace on the Kaustubha-adorned chest of Vishnu, and fulfils even the Lord's wishes — may that glance of the lotus-dweller bring me welfare.

कालाम्बुदालिललितोरसि कैटभारेर्धाराधरे स्फुरति या तडिदङ्गनेव। मातुः समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिर्भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गवनन्दनायाः॥६॥

Kalambudalilalitorasi Kaitabharerdharadhare Sphurati Ya Tadidanganeva | Matuh Samastajagatam Mahaniyamurtirbhadrani Me Dishatu Bhargavanandanayah ||6 ||

She who flashes like lightning on the cloud-dark chest of Vishnu, enemy of Kaitabha — the revered mother of all the worlds, daughter of Bhrigu — may she grant me auspicious things.

प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभावान्माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन। मय्यापतेत्तदिह मन्थरमीक्षणार्धं मन्दालसं च मकरालयकन्यकायाः॥७॥

Praptam Padam Prathamatah Khalu Yatprabhavanmangalyabhaji Madhumathini Manmathena | Mayyapatettadiha Mantharamikshanardham Mandalasam Cha Makaralayakanyakayah ||7 ||

By whose influence Kama first found a place in the auspicious Madhusudana — may that slow, languid half-glance of the ocean's daughter fall on me here.

दद्याद्दयानुपवनो द्रविणाम्बुधारामस्मिन्नकिञ्चनविहङ्गशिशौ विषण्णे। दुष्कर्मघर्ममपनीय चिराय दूरं नारायणप्रणयिनीनयनाम्बुवाहः॥८॥

Dadyaddayanupavano Dravinambudharamasminnakinchanavihangashishau Vishanne | Dushkarmagharmamapaniya Chiraya Duram Narayanapranayininayanambuvahah ||8 ||

May the cloud of the eyes of Narayana's beloved, driven by the wind of compassion, pour a stream of wealth on this poor, dejected fledgling, and drive away forever the heat of bad karma.

इष्टा विशिष्टमतयोऽपि यया दयार्द्रदृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टपपदं सुलभं लभन्ते। दृष्टिः प्रहृष्टकमलोदरदीप्तिरिष्टां पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुष्करविष्टरायाः॥९॥

Ishta Vishishtamatayo'pi Yaya Dayardradrishtya Trivishtapapadam Sulabham Labhante | Drishtih Prahrishtakamalodaradiptirishtam Pushtim Krishishta Mama Pushkaravishtarayah ||9 ||

By whose compassionate glance even the wise easily attain heaven — may that glance of the lotus-seated goddess, bright as the inside of a blooming lotus, grant me the nourishment I desire.

गीर्देवतेति गरुडध्वजसुन्दरीति शाकम्भरीति शशिशेखरवल्लभेति। सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकेलिषु संस्थितायै तस्यै नमस्त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै॥१०॥

Girdevateti Garudadhvajasundariti Shakambhariti Shashishekharavallabheti | Srishtisthitipralayakelishu Sansthitayai Tasyai Namastribhuvanaikagurostarunyai ||10 ||

Salutations to the young consort of the one teacher of the three worlds — she who is called the goddess of speech, the beauty of Garuda-bannered Vishnu, Shakambhari and the beloved of moon-crested Shiva, and who abides in the play of creation, preservation and dissolution.

श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै रत्यै नमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै। शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तमवल्लभायै॥११॥

Shrutyai Namo'stu Shubhakarmaphalaprasutyai Ratyai Namo'stu Ramaniyagunarnavayai | Shaktyai Namo'stu Shatapatraniketanayai Pushtyai Namo'stu Purushottamavallabhayai ||11 ||

Salutations to her as Shruti, who yields the fruit of good deeds; as Rati, the ocean of lovely qualities; as Shakti, who dwells in the hundred-petalled lotus; and as Pushti, beloved of Purushottama.

नमोऽस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै नमोऽस्तु दुग्धोदधिजन्मभूम्यै। नमोऽस्तु सोमामृतसोदरायै नमोऽस्तु नारायणवल्लभायै॥१२॥

Namo'stu Nalikanibhananayai Namo'stu Dugdhodadhijanmabhumyai | Namo'stu Somamritasodarayai Namo'stu Narayanavallabhayai ||12 ||

Salutations to the lotus-faced one, to her whose birthplace is the ocean of milk, to the sister of the moon and of nectar, to the beloved of Narayana.

सम्पत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि साम्राज्यदानविभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि। त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरिताहरणोद्यतानि मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये॥१३॥

Sampatkarani Sakalendriyanandanani Samrajyadanavibhavani Saroruhakshi | Tvadvandanani Duritaharanodyatani Mameva Mataranisham Kalayantu Manye ||13 ||

O lotus-eyed, revered Mother — may salutations to you, which bring wealth, delight all the senses, can bestow empires and are ever ready to remove sins, always be mine.

यत्कटाक्षसमुपासनाविधिः सेवकस्य सकलार्थसम्पदः। सन्तनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैस्त्वां मुरारिहृदयेश्वरीं भजे॥१४॥

Yatkatakshasamupasanavidhih Sevakasya Sakalarthasampadah | Santanoti Vachanangamanasaistvam Murarihridayeshvarim Bhaje ||14 ||

I worship with mind, speech and body the queen of Murari's heart, the worship of whose glance gives the servant every kind of wealth.

सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवलतमांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे। भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम्॥१५॥

Sarasijanilaye Sarojahaste Dhavalatamanshukagandhamalyashobhe | Bhagavati Harivallabhe Manogye Tribhuvanabhutikari Prasida Mahyam ||15 ||

O you who dwell in the lotus and hold a lotus, radiant in the whitest garments, fragrance and garlands — O Bhagavati, beloved of Hari, lovely one, giver of prosperity to the three worlds, be gracious to me.

दिग्घस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्टस्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्लुताङ्गीम्। प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीमशेषलोकाधिनाथगृहिणीममृताब्धिपुत्रीम्॥१६॥

Digghastibhih Kanakakumbhamukhavasrishtasvarvahinivimalacharujalaplutangim | Pratarnamami Jagatam Jananimasheshalokadhinathagrihinimamritabdhiputrim ||16 ||

I bow in the morning to the mother of the world, wife of the lord of all worlds, daughter of the ocean of nectar, whose limbs are bathed in the pure water of the heavenly Ganga poured from golden pots by the elephants of the quarters.

कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं करुणापूरतरङ्गितैरपाङ्गैः। अवलोकय मामकिञ्चनानां प्रथमं पात्रमकृत्रिमं दयायाः॥१७॥

Kamale Kamalakshavallabhe Tvam Karunapuratarangitairapangaih | Avalokaya Mamakinchananam Prathamam Patramakritrimam Dayayah ||17 ||

O Kamala, beloved of the lotus-eyed Vishnu, look at me with glances overflowing with waves of compassion — I am the first true recipient of your mercy among the poor.

स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमूभिरन्वहं त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम्। गुणाधिका गुरुतरभाग्यभागिनो भवन्ति ते भुवि बुधभाविताशयाः॥१८॥

Stuvanti Ye Stutibhiramubhiranvaham Trayimayim Tribhuvanamataram Ramam | Gunadhika Gurutarabhagyabhagino Bhavanti Te Bhuvi Budhabhavitashayah ||18 ||

Those who daily praise Rama (Lakshmi) — the embodiment of the three Vedas, mother of the three worlds — with these hymns, become virtuous, highly fortunate and honoured by the wise on this earth.

📿 Japa counter (mala of 108)

Tap the button for each repetition; every 108 counts as one mala (your phone vibrates). The count is saved on this device/browser.

📅 Next auspicious days (from our panchang)

23 Oct (Friday)
25 Oct (Sunday) — Sharad Purnima
30 Oct (Friday)
6 Nov (Friday)
8 Nov (Sunday) — Deepavali
13 Nov (Friday)

Dates are for Delhi sunrise; see today's panchang for your city.

🪔 How to chant / recite

Time: Friday morning or at the evening lamp.
Method: A ghee lamp and lotus/red flowers before Lakshmi; before the stotra, one mala of «Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah».
Count: Once daily; for a special sankalpa, 11 or 21 days in a row.

🛕 Puja vidhi (step by step)

🧺 Items needed

Picture/idol of Maa Lakshmi (with Ganesha)
Lotus or red/pink flowers
Roli, kumkum, turmeric, akshata
Cowries, lotus seeds, coins (as per tradition)
Ghee lamps
Kheer, batashe, makhana or sweets as bhog
Perfume, incense
Shri Yantra (if available)

🪷 Procedure

Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the puja place and spread a fresh cloth on the altar (chowki).
Do achamana (sip water three times) and purify hands and mouth; sit on an asana and calm the mind.
Light a lamp of ghee or sesame oil — by tradition the lamp is kept to the deity's right.
Take water, akshata (unbroken rice) and a flower in the right hand and make the sankalpa — your name, gotra, place, date and the purpose of the puja, spoken or in the mind; then let the water fall to the ground.
First remember Shri Ganesha (Om Gam Ganapataye Namah).
First worship Ganesha; then invoke Maa Lakshmi.
Bathe with water/panchamrit, offer red/pink cloth, roli-kumkum, turmeric, akshata and lotus flowers.
Light ghee lamps, offer bhog; chant «Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah» or recite Shri Sukta / Lakshmi Chalisa.
Sing «Om Jai Lakshmi Mata».
Finally perform aarti, offer pushpanjali (flowers) and do parikrama (or turn around in your place).
Ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja, distribute the prasad and take it yourself.

⚠️ Rules & precautions

Cleanliness of the home and puja place is the first condition of Lakshmi puja.
Friday, Purnima, Sharad Purnima and Deepavali are special days for Lakshmi.
Do not keep the house dark at dusk — lighting a lamp is the custom.
Narayana (Vishnu) is also remembered in Lakshmi puja.

📜 Story / origin

As per the story, Lakshmi, pleased by Shankara's hymn, said that the woman's poverty was due to her past karma; Shankara reminded her of the merit of that amla given in charity, and the goddess rained golden amlas. The essence — even a small gift given wholeheartedly bears great fruit.

🌟 Benefits (as per tradition)

A prayer for removal of poverty and for prosperity — the hymn calls the devotee «the first recipient of mercy» (verse 17).
Phalashruti: those who praise daily become virtuous and fortunate (verse 18).

These are traditional beliefs described in scriptures; results are understood to depend on faith, discipline and one's own actions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

How many verses does the Kanakdhara Stotram have?

18 as per Shankaracharya's collected works; some printed editions have 21 or more verses and a slightly different order.

When should it be recited?

Specially on Fridays, Akshaya Tritiya, Deepavali and Sharad Purnima; it can also be recited every morning.

📜 Mahalakshmi Ashtakam · 📜 Shri Suktam · 🪔 Lakshmi Aarti (Om Jai Lakshmi Mata) · 🪔 Find your planet/deity from your kundali · 🧙 Ask an astrologer · 🕉 All mantras & aartis · 🇮🇳 हिन्दी में पढ़ें

Note: recite with devotion and correct pronunciation; for special anushthans take guidance from a learned acharya.

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