Shri Kanakadhara Stotra with English translation
श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
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Text title : Kanakadhara Stotra
File name : kanaka-tr.itx
Category : devii, lakShmI, shankarAchArya, devI, stotra
Location : doc_devii
Author : Adi Shankaracharya
Transliterated by : Narayanaswamy
Proofread by : S. [N. Anantharaman engl. tr. added.]
Description-comments : Hymn to Goddess Laxmi, to confer prosperity on a poor woman
Latest update : September 11, 2024
Send corrections to : sanskrit at cheerful dot c om
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September 11, 2024
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Shri Kanakadhara Stotra with English translation
श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
वन्दे वन्दारुमन्दारमिन्दिरानन्दकन्दलम्।
अमन्दानन्दसन्दोहबन्धुरं सिन्धुराननम्॥
अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणमाश्रयन्ती
भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम्।
अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला
माङ्गल्यदाऽस्तु मम मङ्गलदेवतायाः ॥ १॥
The dark Tamala tree in full bloom attracts the female beetle and even so MahalakShmi
is attracted and finds happiness in the fragrant and dark-complexioned body of Hari and
makes it tingle with joy. May she bestow on me prosperity by her auspicious glance.Note:
The poet in Shankara compares the dark Tamala tree to thedark beautiful form of Vishnu,
the dark beetle to the black lustrous eyes of MahalakShmi. The glance of LakShmi’s eyes
on Vishnu gives him great happiness. A mere momentary flash of her eyes on anybody will
bless him with prosperity. 1
मुग्धा मुहुर्विदधती वदने मुरारेः
प्रेमत्रपाप्रणिहितानि गतागतानि ।
माला दृशोर्मधुकरीव महोत्पले या
सा मे श्रियं दिशतु सागरसम्भवायाः ॥ २॥
The shy love-laden sidelong glance of the beauteous dark eyes of the daughter oof the Milky
Ocean, returns again and again to the beauteous lotus face of Murari, just like the black
bee constantly returning and flitting about the beautiful blue lotus flower. I pray that these
glances be bestowed upon me to bless me with prosperity. Note: The dark beauteous face
of the Lord is likened to the blue lotus. The dark glance rests upon the handsome face of
the Lord and out of shyness the eyes are turned away but love again makes the glance rest
upon the Lord. This series of sidelong glances are likened here to a string or Mala and they
further look like the series of trips which the honey seeking black bee makes to the blue
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श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
lotus. The devotee hopes taht he will be prosperous if a sidelong glance of the Goddess of
Wealth falls at least momentarily on him. 2
विश्वामरेन्द्रपदविभ्रमदानदक्षं
आनन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि ।
ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणमीक्षणार्धम्
इन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः ॥ ३॥
The status of the king of kings or the exal;ted position of an Indra are given effortlessly by
MahalakShmi by a mere momentary glance. Murari (Vishnu) who is supreme bliss itself
is made happy by it. May this glance from the blue- lotus eyes of LakShmi fall on me
for a moment at least. Note: The beautepus lotus eyes flashing momentarily on someone
is capable of making him a king of kings ir even an Indra. Murari the seat of all bliss is
thrown into ecstasy by it. Will she not glance at me , even for a second? 3
आमीलिताक्षमधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दं
आनन्दकन्दमनिमेषमनङ्गतन्त्रम्।
आकेकरस्थितकनीनिकपक्ष्मनेत्रं
भूत्यै भवेन्मम भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः ॥ ४॥
The eyes of Mukunda remain closed in ecstasy. The beauteous dark eyes of LakShmi
remain fixed on Mukunda in love and wonder and remain open without blinking. May
these eyes of MahalakShmi fall on me and bless me with prosperity and happiness. 4
बाह्वन्तरे मधुजितः श्रितकौस्तुभे या
हारावलीव हरिनीलमयी विभाति ।
कामप्रदा भगवतोऽपि कटाक्षमाला
कल्याणमावहतु मे कमलालयायाः ॥ ५॥
Lord Vishnu whose chest is adorned by the Kaustubha Mala is also adorned by the series
of the beauteous glances of Goddess MahalakShmi. This string of glances resembles a
necklace of precious blue stones of Indraneela and they are capable of fulfilling all the
wishes of Hari Himself. May this string of glances be directed towards me so that it will
bring me auspiciousness. 5
कालाम्बुदालिललितोरसि कैटभारेः
धाराधरे स्फुरति या तडिदङ्गनेव ।
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श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
मातुस्समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिः
भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गवनन्दनायाः ॥ ६॥
MahalakShmi shining on the dark broad chest of Mahavishnu is like the streak of lightning
illuminating the dark rain clouds. May she, the daughter of the Sage Bhargava worshipped
as Mother by the entire universe, bring me auspiciousness. 6
प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभावात्
माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन ।
मय्यापतेत्तदिह मन्थरमीक्षणार्धं
मन्दालसं च मकरालयकन्यकायाः ॥ ७॥
The God of Love, Manmatha, could gain access to Madhusudana (the destroyer of the
demon Madhu, i.e. Vishnu) only because he was favored with the blessing glance from
MahalakShmi . May her auspicious indolent sideglance fall on me (May she bless me with
prosperity by looking at me in passing at least for a moment. 7
दद्याद्दयानुपवनो द्रविणाम्बुधारां
अस्मिन्नकिञ्चनविहङ्गशिशौ विषण्णे ।
दुष्कर्मघर्ममपनीय चिराय दूरं
नारायणप्रणयिनीनयनाम्बुवाहः ॥ ८॥
The dark rain clouds driven by the monsoon winds releases rain on the parched earth and
quench the thirst of the Chataka bird and brings prosperity on the earth. In like manner
may the dark eyes of MahalakShmi resembling the rain cloud wafted by the breeze of
compassion relese the rain of prosperity on this devotee of a Chataka bird stricken with the
load of accumulated sins so that the sins are washed away and prosperity bestowed upon
him. 8
इष्टाविशिष्टमतयोऽपि यया दयार्द्र-
दृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टपपदं सुलभं लभन्ते ।
दृष्टिः प्रहृष्टकमलोदरदीप्तिरिष्टां
पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुष्करविष्टरायाः ॥ ९॥
The higher worlds like Swarga which are difficult of attainment and for which great
sacrifices like Ashwamedha are performed become easily attainable by the compassion
filled look of the lotus eyes of MahalakShmi . May she look at me so that I may attain my
heart’s desires. 9
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श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
गीर्देवतेति गरुडध्वजसुन्दरीति (गरुडध्वजभामिनीति)
शाकम्भरीति शशिशेखरवल्लभेति ।
सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकेलिषु संस्थितायै
तस्यै नमस्त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै ॥ १०॥
We offer obeisance to the Goddess MahalakShmi, the consort of Narayana, the preceptor
of all the three worlds. She is variously known as Saraswati the Goddess of Learning, as
Goddess LakShmi, the Divine consort of Mahavishnu, as Shakambhari or as Parvati the
consort of Lord Maheshwara. Verily it is she who is playfully engaged in creation, protaction
and final destruction of the Universe. 10
श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै
रत्यै नमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै ।
शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै
पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तमवल्लभायै ॥ ११॥
O Goddess as the very manifestation of the Vedas, you grant the fruits of godd action.
Beautiful in form like Rati Devi you are the very ocean of superlatively beautiful qualities.
Having your abode in the beautiful lotus of a hundred petals, you are Shakti personified. O
consort of Purushottama, You are the Goddess of plenty. Please accept my obeisance. 11
नमोऽस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै
नमोऽस्तु दुग्धोदधिजन्मभूम्यै ।
नमोऽस्तु सोमामृतसोदरायै
नमोऽस्तु नारायणवल्लभायै ॥ १२॥
O Consort of Narayana! Whose face is as beautiful as the lotus in bloom, I bow down to
thee . Born out of the milky ocean, along with the moon and the Divine nectar, O Goddess!
accept my pranams. 12
सम्पत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि
साम्राज्यदानविभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि । (सरोरुहाणि)
त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरितोद्धरणोद्यतानि (दुरिताहरणोद्यतानि, दुरितोत्तरणोद्यतानि)
मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये ॥ १३॥
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श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
May I always have the desire to prostrate before you because a pranam to you is capable of
bestowing all prosperity and will bring happiness to all the senses. Worshipping O Lotus-
eyed Goddess not only removes all miseries but it confers happiness and plenty. 13
यत्कटाक्षसमुपासनाविधिः
सेवकस्य सकलार्थसम्पदः ।
सन्तनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैः
त्वां मुरारिहृदयेश्वरीं भजे ॥ १४॥
The devotee who worships your KatakSha (sidelong glance) is blessed with wealth and
prosperity. To you, the queen who dominates the heart of Vishnu, my pranamas, through
word, thought, and deed. 14
सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते
धवलतमांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे ।
भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे
त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम्॥ १५॥
Seated on the lotus with the lotus flower in your hand, dresed in dazzling white and adorned
with garlands and sandalwood paste, you gladden our hearts. O Goddess, the consort of
Vishnu you who confer prosperity on all the three worlds, please show compassion towards
me. 15
दिग्हस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्ट-
स्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्लुताङ्गीम्।
प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीमशेष-
लोकाधिनाथगृहिणीममृताब्धिपुत्रीम्॥ १६॥
O mother of all the worlds, consort of Vishnu the lord of the Universe, the Dig-gajas (the
celestial elephants guarding various directions) bathe you everyday with waters of the Deva
Ganga poured ouitfrom golden vessels. O daughter of the milky ocean, I prostrate before
Thee. 16
कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं
करुणापूरतरङ्गितैरपाङ्गैः ।
अवलोकय मामकिञ्चनानां
प्रथमं पात्रमकृत्रिमं दयायाः ॥ १७॥
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श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
O Goddess LakShmi, consort of the Lotus-eyed Mahavishnu, direct your gaze filled with
compassion at me, your devotee who am the poorest of the poor, so that I may become the
true recipient of the benefits of your compassion. 17
स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमीभिरन्वहं
त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम्।
गुणाधिका गुरुतरभाग्यभागिनो
भवन्ति ते भुवि बुधभाविताशयाः ॥ १८॥
Those who sing the praise of MahalakShmi who is the vedas personified, by these stotras
everyday will be blessed with all good qualities, unsurpassed good fortune and powers of
the intellect which will earn praise from even the learned. 18
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यकृत श्री कनकधारास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम्॥
Thus concludes the Kanakadhara Stotra, composed by ParamaPujya Shankaracharya.
नमोऽस्तु हेमाम्बुजपीठिकायै
नमोऽस्तु भूमण्डलनायिकायै ।
नमोऽस्तु देवादिदयापरायै
नमोऽस्तु शार्ङ्गायुधवल्लभायै ॥ १९॥
I prostrate before you, O Goddess, who are seated on the Golden Lotus, who is Goddess of
the earth, the consort of Narayana, compassionate to the Devas. 19
नमोऽस्तु देव्यै भृगुनन्दनायै
नमोऽस्तु विष्णोरुरसि स्थितायै ।
नमोऽस्तु लक्ष्म्यै कमलालयायै
नमोऽस्तु दामोदरवल्लभायै ॥ २०॥
My obeisance to you, O daughter of Bhrigu, consort of Damadara. O LakShmi, seated on
Lotus and adorning the broad chest of Mahavishnu, my salutations to Thee. 20
नमोऽस्तु कान्त्यै कमलेक्षणायै
नमोऽस्तु भूत्यै भुवनप्रसूत्यै ।
नमोऽस्तु देवादिभिरर्चितायै
नमोऽस्तु नन्दात्मजवल्लभायै ॥ २१॥
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श्रीकनकधारास्तोत्रम्
O Consort of Gopala, the son of Nanda, you are worshipped by the Devas. You are Jyoti
incarnate, I prostrate before Thee. Your eyes are like lotus petals. You have created the
world and you bestow prosperity. Please accept my salutations. 21
देवि प्रसीद जगदीश्वरि लोकमातः
कल्याणगात्रि कमलेक्षणजीवनाथे ।
दारिद्र्यभीतिहृदयं शरणागतं माम्
आलोकय प्रतिदिनं सदयैरपाङ्गैः ॥ २२॥
O Goddess, controller of the Universe and protector of the people, blessing with your limbs,
and gazing with your lotus-like eyes, forgive me. With my heart filled with fear of poverty,
I surrender myself wholly to you, that you may watch over me every day with unbroken
compassion. 22
अयं स्तवः स्वामिना शङ्करभगवत्पादेन ब्रह्मव्रतस्थेन कालटिनाम्नि स्वग्राम एवाकिञ्चन्यपरिखिन्नाया
द्विजगृहिण्या निर्धनत्वमार्जनाय निरमायि । तेन स्तवेन प्रीता लक्ष्मीर्विप्रं विपुलधनदानेनाप्रीणयदिति
शङ्करविजयतः समाधिगम्यते, “स मुनिर्मुरजित्कुटुम्बिनीं पदचित्रैर्नवनीत कोमलैः
ंअधुरैरूपतस्थिवां- स्तवैः” इत्यादिना ॥ एते श्रीमन्मातुरभ्यर्थनया स्तवमेतमतनिषतेति
कालटिग्रामनिकटवर्तिनां विदुषां मतम्। तदारभ्य कर्णाकर्णिकया तथानुश्रुतम्।
Verse sequence is as per the stotra given in the Complete Works of Shankaracharya Volume
18 page 70.
Verses 19 through 22 are extra, found in other printed texts.
Translation by N. Anantharaman, Nagpur, 1977.
Publ. Bhagavatpada Sabha, Nagpur.
Shri Kanakadhara Stotra with English translation
pdf was typeset on September 11, 2024
Please send corrections to sanskrit@cheerful.com
kanaka-tr.pdf 7
