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Kanakadhara Stotram Meaning — Line by Line

कनकधारा स्तोत्रम्

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Kanakadhara Stotram with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Vande vandarumandaramindiranandakandalam
  2. Verse 2. Angam hareh pulakabhushanamashrayanti
  3. Verse 3. Mugdha muhurvidadhati vadane murareh
  4. Verse 4. Vishvamarendrapadavibhramadanadaksham
  5. Verse 5. Amilitakshamadhigamya muda mukundam
  6. Verse 6. Bahvantare madhujitah shritakaustubhe ya
  7. Verse 7. Kalambudalilalitorasi kaitabhareh
  8. Verse 8. Praptam padam prathamatah khalu yatprabhavat
  9. Verse 9. Dadyaddayanupavano dravinambudharam
  10. Verse 10. Ishtavishishtamatayopi yaya dayardra-
  11. Verse 11. Girdevateti garudadhvajasundariti
  12. Verse 12. Shrutyai namostu shubhakarmaphalaprasutyai
  13. Verse 13. Namostu nalikanibhananayai
  14. Verse 14. Sampatkarani sakalendriyanandanani
  15. Verse 15. Yatkatakshasamupasanavidhih
  16. Verse 16. Sarasijanilaye sarojahaste
  17. Verse 17. Dig hastibhih kanakakumbhamukhavasrishta-
  18. Verse 18. Kamale kamalakshavallabhe tvam
  19. Verse 19. Stuvanti ye stutibhiramibhiranvaham
Verse 1#

Vande vandarumandaramindiranandakandalam

वन्दे वन्दारुमन्दारमिन्दिरानन्दकन्दलम् अमन्दानन्दसन्दोहबन्धुरं सिन्धुराननम्

Vande vandarumandaramindiranandakandalam Amandanandasandohabandhuram sindhurananam

MeaningI 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.

Verse 2#

Angam hareh pulakabhushanamashrayanti

अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणमाश्रयन्ती भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम् अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला माङ्गल्यदाऽस्तु मम मङ्गलदेवतायाः

Angam hareh pulakabhushanamashrayanti Bhringanganeva mukulabharanam tamalam Angikritakhilavibhutirapangalila Mangalyadastu mama mangaladevatayah

MeaningResting 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.

Verse 3#

Mugdha muhurvidadhati vadane murareh

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

MeaningCasting 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.

Verse 4#

Vishvamarendrapadavibhramadanadaksham

विश्वामरेन्द्रपदविभ्रमदानदक्षं आनन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणमीक्षणार्धम् इन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः

Vishvamarendrapadavibhramadanadaksham Anandaheturadhikam muravidvishopi Ishannishidatu mayi kshanamikshanardham Indivarodarasahodaramindirayah

MeaningSkilled 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.

Verse 5#

Amilitakshamadhigamya muda mukundam

आमीलिताक्षमधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दं आनन्दकन्दमनिमेषमनङ्गतन्त्रम् आकेकरस्थितकनीनिकपक्ष्मनेत्रं भूत्यै भवेन्मम भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः

Amilitakshamadhigamya muda mukundam Anandakandamanimeshamanangatantram Akekarasthitakaninikapakshmanetram Bhutyai bhavenmama bhujangashayanganayah

MeaningHaving 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.

Verse 6#

Bahvantare madhujitah shritakaustubhe ya

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

MeaningResting 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.

Verse 7#

Kalambudalilalitorasi kaitabhareh

कालाम्बुदालिललितोरसि कैटभारेः धाराधरे स्फुरति या तडिदङ्गनेव मातुस्समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिः भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गवनन्दनायाः

Kalambudalilalitorasi kaitabhareh Dharadhare sphurati ya tadidanganeva Matussamastajagatam mahaniyamurtih Bhadrani me dishatu bhargavanandanayah

MeaningOn 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.

Verse 8#

Praptam padam prathamatah khalu yatprabhavat

प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभावात् माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन मय्यापतेत्तदिह मन्थरमीक्षणार्धं मन्दालसं मकरालयकन्यकायाः

Praptam padam prathamatah khalu yatprabhavat Mangalyabhaji madhumathini manmathena Mayyapatettadiha mantharamikshanardham Mandalasam cha makaralayakanyakayah

MeaningO 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.

Verse 9#

Dadyaddayanupavano dravinambudharam

दद्याद्दयानुपवनो द्रविणाम्बुधारां अस्मिन्नकिञ्चनविहङ्गशिशौ विषण्णे दुष्कर्मघर्ममपनीय चिराय दूरं नारायणप्रणयिनीनयनाम्बुवाहः

Dadyaddayanupavano dravinambudharam Asminnakinchanavihangashishau vishanne Dushkarmagharmamapaniya chiraya duram Narayanapranayininayanambuvahah

MeaningMay the breeze of compassion shower a stream of wealth upon this poor, dejected fledgling bird — me — scorched by the heat of ill deeds.

Verse 10#

Ishtavishishtamatayopi yaya dayardra-

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

MeaningBy 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.

Verse 11#

Girdevateti garudadhvajasundariti

गीर्देवतेति गरुडध्वजसुन्दरीति शाकम्भरीति शशिशेखरवल्लभेति सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकेलिषु संस्थितायै तस्यै नमस्त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै

Girdevateti garudadhvajasundariti Shakambhariti shashishekharavallabheti Srishtisthitipralayakelishu samsthitayai Tasyai namastribhuvanaikagurostarunyai

MeaningGoddess 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.

Verse 12#

Shrutyai namostu shubhakarmaphalaprasutyai

श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै रत्यै नमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तमवल्लभायै

Shrutyai namostu shubhakarmaphalaprasutyai Ratyai namostu ramaniyagunarnavayai Shaktyai namostu shatapatraniketanayai Pushtyai namostu purushottamavallabhayai

MeaningSalutations 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.

Verse 13#

Namostu nalikanibhananayai

नमोऽस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै नमोऽस्तु दुग्धोदधिजन्मभूम्यै नमोऽस्तु सोमामृतसोदरायै नमोऽस्तु नारायणवल्लभायै

Namostu nalikanibhananayai Namostu dugdhodadhijanmabhumyai Namostu somamritasodarayai Namostu narayanavallabhayai

MeaningSalutations 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.

Verse 14#

Sampatkarani sakalendriyanandanani

सम्पत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि साम्राज्यदानविभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरिताहरणोद्यतानि मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये

Sampatkarani sakalendriyanandanani Samrajyadanavibhavani saroruhakshi Tvadvandanani duritaharanodyatani Mameva mataranisham kalayantu manye

MeaningSalutations 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.

Verse 15#

Yatkatakshasamupasanavidhih

यत्कटाक्षसमुपासनाविधिः सेवकस्य सकलार्थसम्पदः सन्तनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैः त्वां मुरारिहृदयेश्वरीं भजे

Yatkatakshasamupasanavidhih Sevakasya sakalarthasampadah Santanoti vachanangamanasaih Tvam murarihridayeshvarim bhaje

MeaningThe 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.

Verse 16#

Sarasijanilaye sarojahaste

सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवलतमांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम्

Sarasijanilaye sarojahaste Dhavalatamamshukagandhamalyashobhe Bhagavati harivallabhe manojne Tribhuvanabhutikari prasida mahyam

MeaningO 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.

Verse 17#

Dig hastibhih kanakakumbhamukhavasrishta-

दिग् हस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्ट- स्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्लुताङ्गीम् प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीमशेष- लोकाधिनाथगृहिणीममृताब्धिपुत्रीम्

Dig hastibhih kanakakumbhamukhavasrishta- Svarvahinivimalacharujalaplutangim Pratarnamami jagatam jananimashesha- Lokadhinathagrihinimamritabdhiputrim

MeaningHer 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.

Verse 18#

Kamale kamalakshavallabhe tvam

कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं करुणापूरतरङ्गितैरपाङ्गैः अवलोकय मामकिञ्चनानां प्रथमं पात्रमकृत्रिमं दयायाः

Kamale kamalakshavallabhe tvam Karunapuratarangitairapangaih Avalokaya mamakinchananam Prathamam patramakritrimam dayayah

MeaningO Kamala, beloved of the lotus-eyed Vishnu — with your sidelong glances surging with waves of compassion, look upon me, the foremost of the destitute.

Verse 19#

Stuvanti ye stutibhiramibhiranvaham

स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमीभिरन्वहं त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम् गुणाधिका गुरुतरभाग्यभागिनो भवन्ति ते भुवि बुधभाविताशयाः

Stuvanti ye stutibhiramibhiranvaham Trayimayim tribhuvanamataram ramam Gunadhika gurutarabhagyabhagino Bhavanti te bhuvi budhabhavitashayah

MeaningThose 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 Breakdown

कनकधारा
Kanakadhara
Stream/rain of gold
अङ्गं हरेः
Angam Hareh
The body of Hari (Vishnu)
पुलकभूषणम्
Pulakabhushanam
Adorned with goosebumps of joy
मङ्गलदेवता
Mangaladevata
Goddess of auspiciousness
मुरारेः
Murareh
Of Murari (Krishna/Vishnu)
सागरसम्भवा
Sagarasambhava
Born from the ocean (Lakshmi)
इन्दिरा
Indira
Lakshmi (the splendid one)
मुकुन्द
Mukunda
Vishnu (the giver of liberation)
भुजङ्गशयाङ्गना
Bhujangashayanganaa
Wife of the one who reclines on the serpent (Vishnu)
कौस्तुभ
Kaustubha
The divine jewel on Vishnu's chest
कमलालया
Kamalalaya
She whose abode is the lotus (Lakshmi)
कैटभारि
Kaitabhari
Enemy of Kaitabha demon (Vishnu)
भार्गवनन्दना
Bhargavanandana
Daughter of Bhrigu (Lakshmi)
कटाक्षमाला
Katakshamala
Garland of sidelong glances
श्रियं
Shriyam
Prosperity, wealth, Lakshmi

Origin & History

Source: Composed by Adi Shankaracharya

Author: Adi Shankaracharya

Period: 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kanakadhara Stotram?
A hymn by Adi Shankaracharya dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, composed when he was just 8 years old to bring wealth to a poor woman. 'Kanakadhara' means 'stream of gold' — referring to the golden rain that fell upon the woman's house after the chanting.
Did golden rain really fall?
According to tradition, yes. When the young Shankaracharya chanted this stotra before a poor woman's house, golden amla (gooseberry) fruits rained from the sky, ending her poverty. This is one of the most famous miracles in Hindu tradition.
When should I chant Kanakadhara Stotram?
During Diwali, Dhanteras, Akshaya Tritiya, Fridays, and especially during times of financial hardship. The stotra is specifically designed to invoke Lakshmi's wealth-bestowing grace.
How many verses does it have?
The complete Kanakadhara Stotram has 21 verses. All describe Lakshmi's beautiful glance (kataksha) and its power to bestow wealth and auspiciousness.

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