Angam Hareh Pulaka Bhushanam — Word-by-Word Meaning
अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणम्
Every Sanskrit word explained in English
Word-by-Word Breakdown
अङ्गं हरेः
Angam hareh
The body (limbs) of Hari (Vishnu)
पुलकभूषणम्
Pulaka-bhushanam
Adorned with thrilled hair / horripilation (goosebumps of joy)
आश्रयन्ती
Ashrayanti
Resting upon, taking refuge in
भृङ्गाङ्गना
Bhringangana
A female bee
इव
Iva
Like, just as
मुकुलाभरणम्
Mukulabharanam
Adorned with buds / blossoms
तमालम्
Tamalam
The dark tamala tree
अङ्गीकृत
Angikrita
Having accepted, taken on
अखिलविभूतिः
Akhila-vibhutih
All glory, every splendour and prosperity
अपाङ्गलीला
Apanga-lila
The play of her sidelong glance
माङ्गल्यदा
Mangalyada
Bestower of auspiciousness and welfare
अस्तु मम
Astu mama
May it be for me
मङ्गलदेवतायाः
Mangaladevatayah
Of the Goddess of auspiciousness (Lakshmi)
Complete Translation
Resting upon the thrilled body of Hari (Vishnu) — whose hair stands erect in joy at her touch — like a female bee that nestles upon the budding, dark tamala tree, the sidelong glance of Lakshmi has taken on all glory and splendour. May that playful, auspicious glance of the Goddess of all good fortune bring welfare and prosperity to me.
Origin & History
Source: Kanakadhara Stotram (verse 1 of the descriptive verses), composed by Adi Shankaracharya
Author: Adi Shankaracharya
Period: 8th century CE
As a young Brahmachari of about eight years, Shankaracharya begged alms at the door of a desperately poor woman who had nothing to give but a single amla (gooseberry). Moved by her selfless generosity, he spontaneously praised Goddess Lakshmi, and this verse — 'Angam Hareh Pulaka Bhushanam' — opens that prayer, the Kanakadhara Stotram. Pleased, Lakshmi showered golden gooseberries upon the woman's home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stotram is this verse from?▼
It is the famous opening descriptive verse (the first verse after the Ganesha invocation) of the Kanakadhara Stotram, composed by Adi Shankaracharya in praise of Goddess Lakshmi.
What does 'Angam Hareh Pulaka Bhushanam' mean?▼
It means Lakshmi's glance rests upon the body of Hari (Vishnu), which is 'adorned' with horripilation — His hair standing on end in joy at her presence — like a bee nestling on a flowering tamala tree.
Why is this verse chanted for wealth?▼
The whole Kanakadhara Stotram, of which this is the first descriptive verse, was composed to invoke Lakshmi's grace and once caused a shower of gold. This verse prays specifically that her auspicious glance, holding all prosperity, may turn toward the devotee.
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