The Kanakadhara Stotram is a hymn to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and grace, who is also called Shri, Kamala, Indira and Rama. It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya, though scholars debate which stotras are truly his. The word kanakadhara means a stream of gold, and the hymn is built around one image: the sidelong, compassionate glance of the goddess.
The legend tells of the young Shankara, begging for alms, who came to the door of a very poor woman. She had only a dried amla fruit to give and gave it with shame and care. Moved, he is said to have composed this hymn, and golden amla fruits are said to have rained on her house. That is a legend handed down in the tradition, not a recorded event, and the hymn itself never mentions it.
On this page you will find the 22 verses in Devanagari with a simple transliteration and a plain-language meaning for each. The first nine describe the goddess and her glance, the next seven are salutations, and the last verses are prayers and a closing statement of benefit. For a much older hymn to the same goddess, see the Shri Suktam.
The text, transliteration and meaning
Read the verses slowly. Many of them are long sentences that run across all four lines, so the meaning under each card is given as one connected thought.
Verse 1
अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणमाश्रयन्ती
भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम् ।
अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला
माङ्गल्यदाऽस्तु मम मङ्गलदेवतायाः ॥
Angam hareh pulakabhushanamashrayanti
Bhringanganeva mukulabharanam tamalam
Angikritakhilavibhutirapangalila
Mangalyada'stu mama mangaladevatayah
MeaningLike a bee-maiden clinging to a tamala tree adorned with buds, her glance rests on the body of Hari, decorated with the thrill of delight. May the glance of the goddess of auspiciousness, which grants every kind of fortune, bring blessing to me.
Verse 2
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
MeaningShy and bewildered, she turns her eyes again and again to the face of Murari, her glances going and returning like a bee on a great lotus. May that garland of her eyes, born of the ocean, grant me prosperity.
Verse 3
आमीलिताक्षमधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दम्
आनन्दकन्दमनिमेषमनङ्गतन्त्रम्।
आकेकरस्थितकनीनिकपक्ष्मनेत्रं
भूत्यै भवेन्मम भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः ॥
Amilitakshamadhigamya muda mukundam
Anandakandamanimeshamanangatantram
Akekarasthitakaninikapakshmanetram
Bhutyai bhavenmama bhujangashayanganayah
MeaningWith half-closed eyes she draws near Mukunda, the unblinking source of joy, who is moved by love. May the eye of the goddess who lies by the serpent-couch, with its pupil and lashes at rest, be for my good.
Verse 4
बाह्वन्तरे मधुजितः श्रितकौस्तुभे या
हारावलीव हरिनीलमयी विभाति ।
कामप्रदा भगवतोऽपि कटाक्षमाला
कल्याणमावहतु मे कमलालयायाः ॥
Bahvantare madhujitah shritakaustubhe ya
Haravaliva harinilamayi vibhati
Kamaprada bhagavato'pi katakshamala
Kalyanamavahatu me kamalalayayah
MeaningOn the chest of the conqueror of Madhu, where the Kaustubha jewel rests, her glance shines like a necklace of sapphires and grants desires even to the Lord. May that garland of glances of the lotus-dweller bring me well-being.
Verse 5
कालाम्बुदालिललितोरसि कैटाभारेर्
धाराधरे स्फुरति या तड़िदङ्गनेव ।
मातुः समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिर्
भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गवनन्दनायाः ॥
Kalambudalilalitorasi kaitabharer
Dharadhare sphurati ya taridanganeva
Matuh samastajagatam mahaniyamurtir
Bhadrani me dishatu bhargavanandanayah
MeaningOn the dark chest of the foe of Kaitabha she flashes like lightning in a rain cloud. May the revered form of the mother of all worlds, daughter of Bhrigu, give me what is good.
Verse 6
प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभावान्
माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन ।
मय्यापतेत्तदिह मन्थरमीक्षणार्धं
मन्दालसं च मकरालयकन्यकायाः ॥
Praptam padam prathamatah khalu yatprabhavan
Mangalyabhaji madhumathini manmathena
Mayyapatettadiha mantharamikshanardham
Mandalasam cha makaralayakanyakayah
MeaningBy her power Love first won a place in the auspicious slayer of Madhu. May that slow, languid half-glance of the ocean's daughter fall here on me.
Verse 7
विश्वामरेन्द्रपदविभ्रमदानदक्षम्
आनन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि ।
ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणमीक्षणार्धम्
इन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः ॥
Vishvamarendrapadavibhramadanadaksham
Anandaheturadhikam muravidvisho'pi
Ishannishidatu mayi kshanamikshanardham
Indivarodarasahodaramindirayah
MeaningIt is skilled at granting the high places of the gods and of Indra, and is a cause of still greater joy to Vishnu. May her half-glance, kin to the heart of a blue lotus, rest on me for a moment.
Verse 8
इष्टाविशिष्टमतयोऽपि यया दयार्द्र
दृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टपपदं सुलभं लभन्ते ।
दृष्टिः प्रहृष्टकमलोदरदीप्तिरिष्टां
पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुष्करविष्टरायाः ॥
Ishtavishishtamatayo'pi yaya dayardra
Drishtya trivishtapapadam sulabham labhante
Drishtih prahrishtakamalodaradiptirishtam
Pushtim krishishta mama pushkaravishtarayah
MeaningBy whose compassionate, moist look even people of undistinguished or ordinary mind easily reach the heavenly realm. May the glance of the lotus-seated goddess, bright as an opened lotus, give me the nourishment I desire.
Verse 9
दद्याद्दयानुपवनो द्रविणाम्बुधाराम्
अस्मिन्नकिञ्चनविहङ्गशिशौ विषण्णे ।
दुष्कर्मधर्ममपनीय चिराय दूरं
नारायणप्रणयिनीनयनाम्बुवाहः ॥
Dadyaddayanupavano dravinambudharam
Asminnakinchanavihangashishau vishanne
Dushkarmadharmamapaniya chiraya duram
Narayanapranayininayanambuvahah
MeaningMay the cloud of Narayana's beloved's eyes, a breeze of mercy, shower a rain of wealth on me, a forlorn fledgling who has nothing, and drive away for good the heat of my wrong deeds.
Verse 10
गीर्देवतेति गरुड़ध्वजसुन्दरीति
शाकम्भरीति शशिशेखरवल्लभेति ।
सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकेलिषु संस्थितायै
तस्यै नमस्त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै ॥
Girdevateti garuradhvajasundariti
Shakambhariti shashishekharavallabheti
Srishtisthitipralayakelishu samsthitayai
Tasyai namastribhuvanaikagurostarunyai
MeaningSalutation to the young goddess who is called the goddess of speech, the beauty of the Garuda-bannered Lord, Shakambhari and the beloved of the moon-crested Shiva, and who stays in the play of creation, preservation and dissolution, the consort of the one teacher of the three worlds.
Verse 11
श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै
रत्यै नमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै ।
शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै
पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तमवल्लभायै ॥
Shrutyai namo'stu shubhakarmaphalaprasutyai
Ratyai namo'stu ramaniyagunarnavayai
Shaktyai namo'stu shatapatraniketanayai
Pushtyai namo'stu purushottamavallabhayai
MeaningSalutation to her as Shruti, the Vedas, who brings forth the fruit of good deeds; as Rati, an ocean of charming qualities; as Shakti, who dwells on a hundred-petalled lotus; and as Pushti, the beloved of Purushottama.
Verse 12
नमोऽस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै
नमोऽस्तु दुग्धोदधिजन्मभूत्यै ।
नमोऽस्तु सोमामृतसोदरायै
नमोऽस्तु नारायणवल्लभायै ॥
Namo'stu nalikanibhananayai
Namo'stu dugdhodadhijanmabhutyai
Namo'stu somamritasodarayai
Namo'stu narayanavallabhayai
MeaningSalutation to her whose face is like a lotus, to her born from the milk ocean, to the sister of the moon and of nectar, and to the beloved of Narayana.
Verse 13
नमोऽस्तु हेमाम्बुजपीठिकायै
नमोऽस्तु भूमण्डलनायिकायै ।
नमोऽस्तु देवादिदयापरायै
नमोऽस्तु शार्ङ्गायुधवल्लभायै ॥
Namo'stu hemambujapithikayai
Namo'stu bhumandalanayikayai
Namo'stu devadidayaparayai
Namo'stu sharngayudhavallabhayai
MeaningSalutation to her whose seat is a golden lotus, to the mistress of the earth, to her who is kind to the gods and others, and to the beloved of the wielder of the Sharnga bow.
Verse 14
नमोऽस्तु देव्यै भृगुनन्दनायै
नमोऽस्तु विष्णोरुरसि स्थितायै ।
नमोऽस्तु लक्ष्म्यै कमलालयायै
नमोऽस्तु दामोदरवल्लभायै ॥
Namo'stu devyai bhrigunandanayai
Namo'stu vishnorurasi sthitayai
Namo'stu lakshmyai kamalalayayai
Namo'stu damodaravallabhayai
MeaningSalutation to the goddess, daughter of Bhrigu, to her who rests on Vishnu's chest, to Lakshmi who dwells in the lotus, and to the beloved of Damodara.
Verse 15
नमोऽस्तु कान्त्यै कमलेक्षणायै
नमोऽस्तु भूत्यै भुवनप्रसूत्यै ।
नमोऽस्तु देवादिभिरर्चितायै
नमोऽस्तु नन्दात्मजवल्लभायै ॥
Namo'stu kantyai kamalekshanayai
Namo'stu bhutyai bhuvanaprasutyai
Namo'stu devadibhirarchitayai
Namo'stu nandatmajavallabhayai
MeaningSalutation to Kanti, radiance, whose eyes are lotuses; to Bhuti, prosperity, mother of the worlds; to her whom the gods worship; and to the beloved of Nanda's son.
Verse 16
सम्पत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि
साम्राज्यदानविभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि ।
त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरितोद्धरणोद्यतानि
मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये ॥
Sampatkarani sakalendriyanandanani
Samrajyadanavibhavani saroruhakshi
Tvadvandanani duritoddharanodyatani
Mameva mataranisham kalayantu manye
MeaningLotus-eyed and honoured mother, may these salutations to you, which bring wealth, delight every sense, give the bounty of a kingdom and are ready to lift away wrongs, turn to me alone, always.
Verse 17
यत्कटाक्षसमुपासनाविधिः
सेवकस्य सकलार्थसम्पदः ।
सन्तनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैस्
त्वां मुरारिहृदयेश्वरीं भजे ॥
Yatkatakshasamupasanavidhih
Sevakasya sakalarthasampadah
Santanoti vachanangamanasais
Tvam murarihridayeshvarim bhaje
MeaningThe method of attending to her glance brings the servant every kind of wealth. With speech, body and mind I worship you, queen of the heart of Murari.
Verse 18
सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते
धवलतमांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे ।
भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे
त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम् ॥
Sarasijanilaye sarojahaste
Dhavalatamamshukagandhamalyashobhe
Bhagavati harivallabhe manojne
Tribhuvanabhutikari prasida mahyam
MeaningDweller in the lotus, lotus in hand, adorned with the whitest garment, scent and garlands, lovely lady, beloved of Hari, who brings prosperity to the three worlds: be gracious to me.
Verse 19
दिग्घस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्ट
स्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्लुताङ्गीम् ।
प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीमशेष
लोकाधिनाथगृहिणीममृताब्धिपुत्रीम् ॥
Digghastibhih kanakakumbhamukhavasrishta
Svarvahinivimalacharujalaplutangim
Pratarnamami jagatam jananimashesha
Lokadhinathagrihinimamritabdhiputrim
MeaningHer limbs bathed in the clear, lovely water of the heavenly river, poured from golden jars by the elephants of the quarters, she is the mother of the worlds, wife of the lord of all realms, daughter of the nectar ocean. At dawn I bow to her.
Verse 20
कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं
करुणापूरतरङ्गितैरपाङ्गैः ।
अवलोकय मामकिञ्चनानां
प्रथमं पात्रमकृत्रिमं दयायाः ॥
Kamale kamalakshavallabhe tvam
Karunapuratarangitairapangaih
Avalokaya mamakinchananam
Prathamam patramakritrimam dayayah
MeaningKamala, beloved of the lotus-eyed one, look on me with glances rippling with floods of compassion. Among the destitute I am the first and truest vessel for your mercy.
Verse 21
देवि प्रसीद जगदीश्वरि लोकमातः
कल्याणगात्रि कमलेक्षणजीवनाथे ।
दारिद्र्यभीतिहृदयं शरणागतं माम्
आलोकय प्रतिदिनं सदयैरपाङ्गैः ॥
Devi prasida jagadishvari lokamatah
Kalyanagatri kamalekshanajivanathe
Daridryabhitihridayam sharanagatam mam
Alokaya pratidinam sadayairapangaih
MeaningBe gracious, goddess, ruler of the world and mother of all beings, whose body is auspicious. I have come to you for refuge with a heart afraid of poverty: look on me each day with kind sidelong glances.
Verse 22
स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमूभिरन्वहं
त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम् ।
गुणाधिका गुरुतरभाग्यभागिनो
भवन्ति ते भुवि बुधभाविताशयाः ॥
Stuvanti ye stutibhiramubhiranvaham
Trayimayim tribhuvanamataram ramam
Gunadhika gurutarabhagyabhagino
Bhavanti te bhuvi budhabhavitashayah
MeaningThose who each day praise Rama, mother of the three worlds and embodiment of the three Vedas, with these hymns are said to become distinguished in good qualities and greatly fortunate on earth, their minds shaped by the wise. This is the text's own closing claim.
Text: Sanskrit Wikisource, page “कनकधारास्तोत्रम्”. Transliteration is simplified; meanings are our own. Verse numbers appear as labels above each verse.
When and how it is traditionally recited
Many devotees take up the Kanakadhara Stotram on Fridays, the day traditionally linked with Lakshmi, and in the early morning after a bath, in front of a lamp and an image or picture of the goddess. Others recite it during the festival season, and the festival pages explain how Lakshmi worship fits those days (dates are given there, not here): Diwali and Dhanteras.
Some families recite the whole hymn once, some three or eleven times, and some read only a few verses. A few traditions keep a regular count over a number of days. None of this is a rule, and customs differ by region, family and teacher. If you are learning the stotra, reading it aloud slowly with the meaning in front of you is a respectable start.
Verse 19 speaks of bowing to the goddess at dawn, which is one reason the morning is a common choice. Even so, the hymn is also recited in the evening and in the quiet of a temple, and nobody in the tradition asks you to wait for a perfect hour.
What the tradition says it is for
Tradition reads this hymn as a prayer to Lakshmi for grace in its widest sense: well-being, steadiness and a fair share of life’s good things. Notice that the verses ask for her glance, her kindness and her attention, more than they ask for money itself. The word that keeps returning is apanga, the sidelong look, which the poet treats as a gift in itself.
The last verse, which the text itself presents as the benefit, says that those who praise Lakshmi daily with these hymns become fortunate and virtuous. That is the stotra’s own claim. It is not a promise anyone can make for you, and devotees differ on whether the fruit is wealth, contentment or a changed outlook.
Verses 20 and 21 speak plainly of poverty and of fear of poverty. If you are dealing with real money trouble or ill health, please seek proper financial, legal or medical advice as well; a prayer may steady the mind but it does not replace practical help.
Pronunciation notes
Take the long vowels, such as the first and last a in mata, at roughly twice the length of the short ones. The aspirated consonants bh, dh, kh and th carry a small puff of air, as in Bhrigu and dhara. The sh in Shri, Shakambhari and shaktyai is the soft sound in ship, and ch is as in church.
The hymn is rich in conjuncts such as -str-, -shtr-, -kty- and -tsy-. Break them into small pieces, say each piece alone, then join them: shak-tyai, push-tyai. The anusvara (the dot) is a soft hum on the nasal, and the visarga (a final h sound) is a light echo of the vowel before it, as in devih. A recording from a teacher you trust will help you with the rhythm.
Related mantras and pages
- Shri Suktam: the older Vedic hymn to Lakshmi
- Annapurna Ashtakam: another Shankaracharya-attributed hymn to a goddess
- Achyutashtakam: a hymn to Vishnu, Lakshmi’s consort
- Akshaya Tritiya: another day when Lakshmi is remembered by many families
- All mantras, stotras, chalisas and aartis
Frequently asked questions
↳ What does Kanakadhara mean?
Kanaka means gold and dhara means a stream, so the name is the stream of gold. It points to the legend of golden amla fruits raining down, and to the hymn's central image of the goddess's generous glance.
↳ Who wrote the Kanakadhara Stotram?
It is traditionally attributed to Adi Shankaracharya. Scholars debate which stotras are his, so it is safest to say it is attributed to him rather than certainly composed by him.
↳ What is the story behind the Kanakadhara Stotram?
The legend says the young Shankara begged at the home of a poor woman who offered a dried amla fruit. He sang the hymn to Lakshmi and golden amla fruits are said to have fallen. This is a legend of the tradition, not a documented event.
↳ When is the Kanakadhara Stotram recited?
Many devotees choose Friday mornings, and some recite it around Diwali. Other families keep their own days or times. Customs differ, so follow what your family or teacher advises.
↳ Will reciting it bring wealth?
The final verse says that those who praise Lakshmi with the hymn become fortunate, but that is the text's own statement of benefit, not a promise. Treat it as devotion and a calming daily practice, and take practical and professional advice for money matters.