Kanakadhara Stotram
कनकधारा स्तोत्रम्
✦ Meaning
The Kanakadhara Stotram was composed by Adi Shankaracharya when, moved by a poor woman who gave him her only gooseberry as alms, he prayed to Goddess Lakshmi — and she showered the woman’s home with golden amlas. Its verses adore Lakshmi’s glance of compassion, which bestows wealth and wellbeing. Reciting it is believed to remove poverty and misfortune and to invite abundance and grace.
Origin & Story
Composed by Adi Shankaracharya · Adi Shankaracharya · 8th century CE (composed at age 8)
As a young Brahmachari (student monk) of just 8 years, Shankaracharya went door to door begging for food. At one house, a desperately poor woman had nothing to offer but a single dried amla fruit. Moved by her selfless generosity despite having nothing, the child Shankaracharya composed the Kanakadhara Stotram on the spot, praising Lakshmi with 21 exquisite verses describing her divine glance. Pleased by his devotion, Lakshmi showered golden amla fruits upon the woman's house, ending her poverty forever.
✦ As told in scripture
According to the Shankaravijaya (biography of Shankaracharya), as the 8-year-old boy chanted each verse describing Lakshmi's glance, the sky darkened and golden gooseberries began falling like rain upon the poor woman's house. The entire village witnessed the miracle. The woman, who moments before had nothing, was suddenly surrounded by gold. This is considered one of the definitive miracles establishing Shankaracharya as a divine incarnation, and it demonstrates the stotra's power to manifest wealth from nothing.
Listen & Chant Along
Complete Text with Meaning
Tap any line — or the ▶ button — to hear it recited
वन्दे वन्दारुमन्दारमिन्दिरानन्दकन्दलम् । अमन्दानन्दसन्दोहबन्धुरं सिन्धुराननम् ॥
Vande vandarumandaramindiranandakandalam Amandanandasandohabandhuram sindhurananam
Meaning:I worship the elephant-faced Lord (Ganesha) — the wish-granting Mandara tree for those who bow to him, the joyous sprout of Indira's (Lakshmi's) delight, lovely with an abundant flood of bliss.
अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणमाश्रयन्ती भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम् । अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला माङ्गल्यदाऽस्तु मम मङ्गलदेवतायाः ॥
Angam hareh pulakabhushanamashrayanti Bhringanganeva mukulabharanam tamalam Angikritakhilavibhutirapangalila Mangalyadastu mama mangaladevatayah
Meaning:Resting upon the thrilled body of Hari like a female bee upon the budding tamala tree — may that sidelong glance of Lakshmi, who has assumed all glory, abide on me and bring prosperity for a moment.
मुग्धा मुहुर्विदधती वदने मुरारेः प्रेमत्रपाप्रणिहितानि गतागतानि । माला दृशोर्मधुकरीव महोत्पले या सा मे श्रियं दिशतु सागरसम्भवायाः ॥
Mugdha muhurvidadhati vadane murareh Prematrapapranihitani gatagatani Mala drishormadhukariva mahotpale ya Sa me shriyam dishatu sagarasambhavayah
Meaning:Casting again and again upon Murari's face her bashful, love-laden glances going to and fro — may that garland of Lakshmi's eyes, like a row of bees upon a honeyed lotus, grant me good.
विश्वामरेन्द्रपदविभ्रमदानदक्षं आनन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि । ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणमीक्षणार्धम् इन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः ॥
Vishvamarendrapadavibhramadanadaksham Anandaheturadhikam muravidvishopi Ishannishidatu mayi kshanamikshanardham Indivarodarasahodaramindirayah
Meaning:Skilled in bestowing the sovereignty of the gods and the universe, the very source of bliss even to Vishnu (Mura's foe) — may that glance of Lakshmi settle, even a little, upon me.
आमीलिताक्षमधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दं आनन्दकन्दमनिमेषमनङ्गतन्त्रम् । आकेकरस्थितकनीनिकपक्ष्मनेत्रं भूत्यै भवेन्मम भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः ॥
Amilitakshamadhigamya muda mukundam Anandakandamanimeshamanangatantram Akekarasthitakaninikapakshmanetram Bhutyai bhavenmama bhujangashayanganayah
Meaning:Having reached the half-closed-eyed Mukunda, the root of bliss, unwinking, beyond Cupid's sway — may Lakshmi's sidelong, half-turned pupil-glance bring me fortune.
बाह्वन्तरे मधुजितः श्रितकौस्तुभे या हारावलीव हरिनीलमयी विभाति । कामप्रदा भगवतोऽपि कटाक्षमाला कल्याणमावहतु मे कमलालयायाः ॥
Bahvantare madhujitah shritakaustubhe ya Haravaliva harinilamayi vibhati Kamaprada bhagavatopi katakshamala Kalyanamavahatu me kamalalayayah
Meaning:Resting on the chest of the slayer of Madhu, beside the Kaustubha gem, shining like a string of sapphire-blue pearls — may she, the boon-giver even to the Lord, grant my desire.
कालाम्बुदालिललितोरसि कैटभारेः धाराधरे स्फुरति या तडिदङ्गनेव । मातुस्समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिः भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गवनन्दनायाः ॥
Kalambudalilalitorasi kaitabhareh Dharadhare sphurati ya tadidanganeva Matussamastajagatam mahaniyamurtih Bhadrani me dishatu bhargavanandanayah
Meaning:On the dark-cloud-lovely chest of Kaitabha's foe (Vishnu) she shines like a streak of lightning upon a rain-cloud — to that Mother of all the worlds I offer my salutation.
प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभावात् माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन । मय्यापतेत्तदिह मन्थरमीक्षणार्धं मन्दालसं च मकरालयकन्यकायाः ॥
Praptam padam prathamatah khalu yatprabhavat Mangalyabhaji madhumathini manmathena Mayyapatettadiha mantharamikshanardham Mandalasam cha makaralayakanyakayah
Meaning:O auspicious consort of the honey-slayer (Vishnu), by whose power Cupid first attained his station — may that glance fall upon me too, even for a moment.
दद्याद्दयानुपवनो द्रविणाम्बुधारां अस्मिन्नकिञ्चनविहङ्गशिशौ विषण्णे । दुष्कर्मघर्ममपनीय चिराय दूरं नारायणप्रणयिनीनयनाम्बुवाहः ॥
Dadyaddayanupavano dravinambudharam Asminnakinchanavihangashishau vishanne Dushkarmagharmamapaniya chiraya duram Narayanapranayininayanambuvahah
Meaning:May the breeze of compassion shower a stream of wealth upon this poor, dejected fledgling bird — me — scorched by the heat of ill deeds.
इष्टाविशिष्टमतयोऽपि यया दयार्द्र- दृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टपपदं सुलभं लभन्ते । दृष्टिः प्रहृष्टकमलोदरदीप्तिरिष्टां पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुष्करविष्टरायाः ॥
Ishtavishishtamatayopi yaya dayardra- Drishtya trivishtapapadam sulabham labhante Drishtih prahrishtakamalodaradiptirishtam Pushtim krishishta mama pushkaravishtarayah
Meaning:By whose mercy-moistened glance even the dull-witted easily attain the abode of heaven (Indra) — may that glance of Lakshmi, just a little, turn toward me.
गीर्देवतेति गरुडध्वजसुन्दरीति शाकम्भरीति शशिशेखरवल्लभेति । सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकेलिषु संस्थितायै तस्यै नमस्त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै ॥
Girdevateti garudadhvajasundariti Shakambhariti shashishekharavallabheti Srishtisthitipralayakelishu samsthitayai Tasyai namastribhuvanaikagurostarunyai
Meaning:Goddess of Speech (Saraswati), the beauty of Garuda-bannered Vishnu, Shakambhari, the beloved of the moon-crested Shiva — you who, in sport, carry out creation, preservation and dissolution: salutations.
श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै रत्यै नमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै । शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तमवल्लभायै ॥
Shrutyai namostu shubhakarmaphalaprasutyai Ratyai namostu ramaniyagunarnavayai Shaktyai namostu shatapatraniketanayai Pushtyai namostu purushottamavallabhayai
Meaning:Salutations to you, the Sruti (Veda) that yields the fruit of good deeds; salutations to Rati, the ocean of lovely virtues; salutations to Shakti — to the consort of Vishnu, salutations.
नमोऽस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै नमोऽस्तु दुग्धोदधिजन्मभूम्यै । नमोऽस्तु सोमामृतसोदरायै नमोऽस्तु नारायणवल्लभायै ॥
Namostu nalikanibhananayai Namostu dugdhodadhijanmabhumyai Namostu somamritasodarayai Namostu narayanavallabhayai
Meaning:Salutations to the lotus-faced one; salutations to her born of the milk-ocean; salutations to the sister of the moon and of nectar; salutations to the beloved of Narayana.
सम्पत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि साम्राज्यदानविभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि । त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरिताहरणोद्यतानि मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये ॥
Sampatkarani sakalendriyanandanani Samrajyadanavibhavani saroruhakshi Tvadvandanani duritaharanodyatani Mameva mataranisham kalayantu manye
Meaning:Salutations to you whose worship grants wealth and delights every sense, bestowing the glory of empire, O lotus-eyed one — your adorations, by word, body and mind.
यत्कटाक्षसमुपासनाविधिः सेवकस्य सकलार्थसम्पदः । सन्तनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैः त्वां मुरारिहृदयेश्वरीं भजे ॥
Yatkatakshasamupasanavidhih Sevakasya sakalarthasampadah Santanoti vachanangamanasaih Tvam murarihridayeshvarim bhaje
Meaning:The worship of whose mere sidelong glance bestows upon the devotee, by word, limb and mind, all riches and the fullness of every aim — to you, O beloved of Murari, I bow.
सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवलतमांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे । भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम् ॥
Sarasijanilaye sarojahaste Dhavalatamamshukagandhamalyashobhe Bhagavati harivallabhe manojne Tribhuvanabhutikari prasida mahyam
Meaning:O you who dwell on the lotus, lotus in hand, resplendent with whitest garments, fragrance and garlands — O Goddess, beloved of Hari, lovely, worshipped by the three worlds: protect me.
दिग् हस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्ट- स्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्लुताङ्गीम् । प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीमशेष- लोकाधिनाथगृहिणीममृताब्धिपुत्रीम् ॥
Dig hastibhih kanakakumbhamukhavasrishta- Svarvahinivimalacharujalaplutangim Pratarnamami jagatam jananimashesha- Lokadhinathagrihinimamritabdhiputrim
Meaning:Her limbs bathed by the pure, lovely waters of the heavenly Ganga poured from the golden pitchers held by the elephants of the directions — I bow to her at dawn.
कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं करुणापूरतरङ्गितैरपाङ्गैः । अवलोकय मामकिञ्चनानां प्रथमं पात्रमकृत्रिमं दयायाः ॥
Kamale kamalakshavallabhe tvam Karunapuratarangitairapangaih Avalokaya mamakinchananam Prathamam patramakritrimam dayayah
Meaning:O Kamala, beloved of the lotus-eyed Vishnu — with your sidelong glances surging with waves of compassion, look upon me, the foremost of the destitute.
स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमीभिरन्वहं त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम् । गुणाधिका गुरुतरभाग्यभागिनो भवन्ति ते भुवि बुधभाविताशयाः ॥
Stuvanti ye stutibhiramibhiranvaham Trayimayim tribhuvanamataram ramam Gunadhika gurutarabhagyabhagino Bhavanti te bhuvi budhabhavitashayah
Meaning:Those who daily praise with these hymns Rama (Lakshmi), the threefold Veda embodied, the Mother of the three worlds, become endowed with surpassing, weighty virtues and attain the supreme abode.
Word-by-Word Meaning
Click any word to hear its pronunciation
Benefits of Chanting Kanakadhara Stotram
Composed by Shankaracharya specifically to remove poverty
The 'golden rain' miracle makes this the most famous wealth-attracting stotra
Each verse describes Lakshmi's glance — her grace brings all prosperity
Extremely effective when chanted during Diwali, Dhanteras, and Fridays
Removes Daridra Dosha (poverty karma) as per scriptural tradition
One of the most searched Lakshmi prayers for financial improvement
How to Chant Kanakadhara Stotram
Sit before an image of Lakshmi or Vishnu-Lakshmi together. Light a ghee diya. Offer lotus flowers or yellow flowers. Chant 11 times on Fridays for regular practice. During Diwali week, chanting 108 times is considered extremely powerful. The key is to visualize Lakshmi's compassionate glance falling upon you — this is the central imagery of every verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
You May Also Like
ॐ
Explore more sacred mantras with complete meaning and chanting guides