The Shri Kanakadhara Stotram, meaning “a stream of gold,” is a divine hymn composed by the great saint Adi Shankaracharya in his childhood at Kaladi (Kerala). As a young sannyasin seeking alms, he visited a poor Brahmin widow who had nothing to offer except one dried amla fruit. Touched by her selfless devotion, the Acharya spontaneously sang this stotra in praise of Goddess Mahalakshmi. Pleased by his pure prayer, the Goddess showered a continuous rain of golden amla fruits (or gold coins) on the humble home, instantly removing the family’s poverty. This is why it is called “Kanakadhara” — the golden stream. Verses 19 to 22 appear as additional verses in some printed editions. Every line lovingly describes the beauty of Goddess Lakshmi and begs her compassionate glance to bless us with wealth, peace, and spiritual joy. It is a prayer that touches the heart and opens the doors of abundance for every sincere devotee.
वन्दे वन्दारुमन्दारमिन्दिरानन्दकन्दलम् । अमन्दानन्दसन्दोहबन्धुरं सिन्धुराननम् ॥
Transliteration:
vande vandāru-mandāram indirānanda-kandalam |
amandānanda-sandoha-bandhuram sindhurānanam ||
Explanation
I bow again and again to the beautiful face of Goddess Lakshmi, which shines like the divine mandara flower that delights all who worship her. Her face is the very source of joy for Indira (Lakshmi herself) and for the whole world. It overflows with pure, unending bliss and looks as tender and radiant as the ocean from which she was born. Just by remembering her lovely face, our hearts fill with peace and happiness.
अङ्गं हरेः पुलकभूषणमाश्रयन्ती भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुलाभरणं तमालम् । अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला माङ्गल्यदाऽस्तु मम मङ्गलदेवतायाः ॥ १॥
Transliteration:
aṅgaṃ hareḥ pulakabhūṣaṇam āśrayantī
bhṛṅgāṅganeva mukulābharaṇaṃ tamālam |
aṅgīkṛtākhilavibhūtir apāṅgalīlā
māṅgalyadā’stu mama maṅgaladevatāyāḥ || 1 ||
Explanation
Goddess Lakshmi rests on Lord Hari’s body like a shining ornament of pure delight, making every hair on his skin stand with joy. Just as a sweet black bee lovingly decorates the half-open buds of the dark tamala tree, her playful side-glance adorns the entire universe with all wealth and beauty. O auspicious Mother, the Goddess of all that is good, may that gentle, loving glance fall on me and bring endless blessings into my life.
मुग्धा मुहुर्विदधती वदने मुरारेः प्रेमत्रपाप्रणिहितानि गतागतानि । माला दृशोर्मधुकरीव महोत्पले या सा मे श्रियं दिशतु सागरसम्भवायाः ॥ २॥
Transliteration:
mugdhā muhur vidadhatī vadane murāreḥ
prematrapāpraṇihitāni gatāgatāni |
mālā dṛśor madhukarīva mahotpale yā
sā me śriyaṃ diśatu sāgarasambhavāyāḥ || 2 ||
Explanation
Like a shy, innocent maiden, Goddess Lakshmi keeps sending her loving glances again and again towards the face of Lord Murari (Vishnu). These glances are filled with sweet love and bashful hesitation; they go forward with affection and come back with modesty. They look like a row of honey-bees circling a beautiful blue lotus. O Mother born from the ocean of milk, may these enchanting glances shower true wealth and good fortune upon me.
विश्वामरेन्द्रपदविभ्रमदानदक्षं आनन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि । ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणमीक्षणार्धम् इन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः ॥ ३॥
Transliteration:
viśvāmarendra-padavibhramadānadakṣaṃ
ānandahetur adhikaṃ muravidviṣo’pi |
īṣan niṣīdatu mayi kṣaṇam īkṣaṇārdham
indīvarodarasahodaram indirāyāḥ || 3 ||
Explanation
One single glance from Goddess Lakshmi can grant the highest position of the king of gods and fill even Lord Vishnu (the slayer of Mura) with overflowing joy. Her eyes are as beautiful as the inner petals of a blue lotus. O Mother Indira, may even a tiny portion of that half-closed, loving glance rest upon me for just one moment and fill my heart with bliss.
आमीलिताक्षमधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दं आनन्दकन्दमनिमेषमनङ्गतन्त्रम् । आकेकरस्थितकनीनिकपक्ष्मनेत्रं भूत्यै भवेन्मम भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः ॥ ४॥
Transliteration:
āmīlitākṣam adhigamya mudā mukundaṃ
ānandakandam animeṣam anaṅgatatram |
āke karasthitakanīnikapakṣmanetraṃ
bhūtyai bhaven mama bhujaṅgaśayāṅganāyāḥ || 4 ||
Explanation
With half-closed eyes full of joy and love, Goddess Lakshmi gazes at Lord Mukunda (Vishnu), whose face shines with endless bliss. Her eyes never blink, and they pour the magic of pure love. From the corner of those beautiful eyes, may a ray of her glance fly towards me like a gentle bird and bring me all prosperity. O consort of the Lord who rests on the serpent, bless me with your grace.
बाह्वन्तरे मधुजितः श्रितकौस्तुभे या हारावलीव हरिनीलमयी विभाति । कामप्रदा भगवतोऽपि कटाक्षमाला कल्याणमावहतु मे कमलालयायाः ॥ ५॥
Transliteration:
bāhvantare madhujitaḥ śritakaustubhe yā
hārāvalīva harinīlamayī vibhāti |
kāmapradā bhagavato’pi kaṭākṣamālā
kalyāṇam āvahatu me kamalālayāyāḥ || 5 ||
Explanation
Between the arms of Lord Vishnu, who conquered the demon Madhu, shines the Kaustubha gem. There, Goddess Lakshmi’s string of side-glances glows like a necklace of blue sapphires. Even the Lord feels waves of love because of her tender glances. O Lotus-dwelling Mother, may this garland of loving glances bring every kind of goodness and happiness into my life.
कालाम्बुदालिललितोरसि कैटभारेः धाराधरे स्फुरति या तडिदङ्गनेव । मातुस्समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिः भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गवनन्दनायाः ॥ ६॥
Transliteration:
kālāmbudāli-lalitorasi kaiṭabhāreḥ
dhārādhare sphurati yā taḍidaṅganeva |
mātus samastajagatāṃ mahaniyamūrtiḥ
bhadrāṇi me diśatu bhārgavanandanāyāḥ || 6 ||
Explanation
On the dark, cloud-like chest of Lord Vishnu (slayer of Kaitabha), Goddess Lakshmi sparkles like a streak of lightning in the rain clouds. She is the most revered Mother of all worlds, the one who brought joy to the lineage of sage Bhrigu. O noble Mother, may your magnificent form send every kind of goodness and well-being into my life.
प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभावात् माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन । मय्यापतेत्तदिह मन्थरमीक्षणार्धं मन्दालसं च मकरालयकन्यकायाः ॥ ७॥
Transliteration:
prāptaṃ padaṃ prathamataḥ khalu yat prabhāvāt
māṅgalyabhāji madhumāthini manmathena |
mayy āpatet tad iha mantharam īkṣaṇārdhaṃ
mandālasaṃ ca makarālayakanyakāyāḥ || 7 ||
Explanation
It was only by the power of Goddess Lakshmi’s gentle glance that the God of Love (Manmatha) could first win the heart of Lord Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu. O daughter of the ocean, may that same slow, soft, half-closed glance fall upon me now and fill my life with the same divine love and fortune.
दद्याद्दयानुपवनो द्रविणाम्बुधारां अस्मिन्नकिञ्चनविहङ्गशिशौ विषण्णे । दुष्कर्मघर्ममपनीय चिराय दूरं नारायणप्रणयिनीनयनाम्बुवाहः ॥ ८॥
Transliteration:
dadyād dayānupavano draviṇāmbudhārāṃ
asminn akiñcana-vihaṅga-śiśau viṣaṇṇe |
duṣkarmagharmaṃ apanīya cirāya dūraṃ
nārāyaṇa-praṇayinī-nayanāmbuvāhaḥ || 8 ||
Explanation
Like a cool breeze of mercy, may the rain of wealth from Goddess Lakshmi’s eyes pour down on this helpless little bird (me) who is sad and has nothing. O beloved of Lord Narayana, wash away the burning heat of my past bad deeds forever and fill my empty life with endless riches.
इष्टाविशिष्टमतयोऽपि यया दयार्द्र- दृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टपपदं सुलभं लभन्ते । दृष्टिः प्रहृष्टकमलोदरदीप्तिरिष्टां पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुष्करविष्टरायाः ॥ ९॥
Transliteration:
iṣṭāviśiṣṭamatayo’pi yayā dayār dra-
dṛṣṭyā triviṣṭapapadaṃ sulabhaṃ labhante |
dṛṣṭiḥ prahṛṣṭa-kamalodara-dīptir iṣṭāṃ
puṣṭiṃ kṛṣīṣṭa mama puṣkara-viṣṭarāyāḥ || 9 ||
Explanation
Even those who have the highest wisdom and desires easily reach the heavenly worlds just by her kind, compassionate glance. O Goddess seated on the lotus throne, let your bright, joyful eyes — shining like the heart of a fully bloomed lotus — look at me and grant me all the growth, nourishment, and happiness I long for.
गीर्देवतेति गरुडध्वजसुन्दरीति (गरुडध्वजभामिनीति) शाकम्भरीति शशिशेखरवल्लभेति । सृष्टिस्थितिप्रलयकेलिषु संस्थितायै तस्यै नमस्त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै ॥ १०॥
Transliteration:
gīrdevateti garuḍadhvaja-sundarīti
śākambharīti śaśiśekhara-vallabheti |
sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-keliṣu saṃsthitāyai
tasyai namas tribhuvanaika-guros taruṇyai || 10 ||
Explanation
She is the Goddess of speech, the beautiful consort of the Lord who rides Garuda, the one who nourishes the world as Shakambhari, and the beloved of the moon-crested Lord. She playfully creates, sustains, and dissolves the universe. I bow to this young, eternal Goddess who is the sole teacher of the three worlds.
श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै रत्यै नमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै । शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तमवल्लभायै ॥ ११॥
Transliteration:
śrutyaī namo’stu śubhakarmaphala-prasūtyai
ratyaī namo’stu ramaṇīya-guṇārṇavāyai |
śaktyaī namo’stu śatapatra-niketanāyai
puṣṭyaī namo’stu puruṣottama-vallabhāyai || 11 ||
Explanation
Salutations to you, who are the Vedas themselves and the giver of fruits of good deeds. Salutations to you, who are like Rati — an ocean of beautiful qualities. Salutations to you, who are the power of the universe and live in the hundred-petalled lotus. Salutations to you, the Goddess of nourishment and the beloved of the Supreme Lord.
नमोऽस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै नमोऽस्तु दुग्धोदधिजन्मभूम्यै । नमोऽस्तु सोमामृतसोदरायै नमोऽस्तु नारायणवल्लभायै ॥ १२॥
Transliteration:
namo’stu nālīkanibhānānāyai
namo’stu dugdhodadhijanmabhūmyai |
namo’stu somāmṛtasodarāyai
namo’stu nārāyaṇa-vallabhāyai || 12 ||
Explanation
Salutations to you whose face is as lovely as a lotus. Salutations to you who were born from the ocean of milk. Salutations to you who are the sister of the moon and nectar. Salutations to you, the dearest consort of Lord Narayana.
सम्पत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि साम्राज्यदानविभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि । (सरोरुहाणि) त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरिताहरणोद्यतानि (दुरितोत्तरणोद्यतानि, दुरितोद्धरणोद्यतानि) मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये ॥ १३॥
Transliteration:
sampatkaraṇi sakalendriyanandanāni
sāmrājyadāna-vibhavāni saroruhākṣi |
tvad-vandanāni duritāharaṇodyatāni
mām eva mātaranīśaṃ kalayantu mānye || 13 ||
Explanation
O Lotus-eyed Mother, your salutations bring wealth, delight every sense, and grant the power of ruling kingdoms. They are ever ready to remove all sins. O most honoured Mother, may these prayers of mine always stay with me and protect me day and night.
यत्कटाक्षसमुपासनाविधिः सेवकस्य सकलार्थसम्पदः । सन्तनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैः त्वां मुरारिहृदयेश्वरीं भजे ॥ १४॥
Transliteration:
yat kaṭākṣa-samupāsanā-vidhiḥ
sevakasya sakalārtha-sampadaḥ |
santanoti vacanāṅgamānasaiḥ
tvāṃ murāri-hṛdayeśvarīṃ bhaje || 14 ||
Explanation
Simply by worshipping your side-glance with body, speech, and mind, a devotee receives every kind of wealth and success. Therefore, with all my heart, I worship you — the Queen who lives in the heart of Lord Murari.
सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवलतमांशुकगन्धमाल्यशोभे । भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम् ॥ १५॥
Transliteration:
sarasijanilaye sarojahaste
dhavalatamāṃśuka-gandhamālyaśobhe |
bhagavati harivallabhe manoñe
tribhuvanabhūtikari prasīda mahyam || 15 ||
Explanation
O Goddess who lives in the lotus, who holds a lotus in your hand, who shines in pure white garments, fragrant sandal, and garlands — O beloved of Hari, delight of the mind, and giver of prosperity to the three worlds, please be gracious to me.
दिग् हस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्ट- स्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्लुताङ्गीम् । प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीमशेष- लोकाधिनाथगृहिणीममृताब्धिपुत्रीम् ॥ १६॥
Transliteration:
dig-hastibhiḥ kanakakumbha-mukhāvasṛṣṭa-
svarvāhinī-vimalacārujala-plutāṅgīm |
prātar namāmi jagatāṃ jananīṃ aśeṣa-
lokādhi-nātha-gṛhiṇīm amṛtābdhiputrīm || 16 ||
Explanation
In the morning I bow to you, O Mother of the universe. The eight elephants of the directions bathe your body with pure, beautiful waters from golden pots brought from the heavenly Ganga. You are the consort of the Lord of all worlds and the daughter of the ocean of nectar.
कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं करुणापूरतरङ्गितैरपाङ्गैः । अवलोकय मामकिञ्चनानां प्रथमं पात्रमकृत्रिमं दयायाः ॥ १७॥
Transliteration:
kamale kamalākṣa-vallabhe tvaṃ
karuṇāpūra-taraṅgitair apāṅgaiḥ |
avalokaya mām akiñcanānāṃ
prathamaṃ pātram akṛtrimaṃ dayāyāḥ || 17 ||
Explanation
O Lotus Goddess, beloved of the lotus-eyed Lord, with your eyes overflowing with waves of mercy, please look at me. Among all who have nothing, make me the very first and truest vessel to receive your pure compassion.
स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमीभिरन्वहं त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम् । गुणाधिका गुरुतरभाग्यभागिनो भवन्ति ते भुवि बुधभाविताशयाः ॥ १८॥
Transliteration:
stuvanti ye stutibhir amībhir anvahaṃ
trayīmayīṃ tribhuvanamātaraṃ ramām |
guṇādhikā gurutara-bhāgyabhāgino
bhavanti te bhuvi budha-bhāvita-āśayāḥ || 18 ||
Explanation
Those who daily sing these praises to Goddess Rama — the Mother of the three worlds who is the very form of the Vedas — become rich in virtues, blessed with the greatest fortune, and their hearts are honoured even by the wise people of the world.
नमोऽस्तु हेमाम्बुजपीठिकायै नमोऽस्तु भूमण्डलनायिकायै । नमोऽस्तु देवादिदयापरायै नमोऽस्तु शार्ङ्गायुधवल्लभायै ॥ १९॥
Transliteration:
namo’stu hemāmbujapīṭhikāyai
namo’stu bhūmaṇḍalanāyikāyai |
namo’stu devādi-dayāparāyai
namo’stu śārṅgāyudha-vallabhāyai || 19 ||
Explanation
Salutations to you who sit on a golden lotus throne. Salutations to you who rule the entire earth. Salutations to you who shower mercy on the gods and all beings. Salutations to you, the beloved of the Lord who holds the Sharnga bow.
नमोऽस्तु देव्यै भृगुनन्दनायै नमोऽस्तु विष्णोरुरसि स्थितायै । नमोऽस्तु लक्ष्म्यै कमलालयायै नमोऽस्तु दामोदरवल्लभायै ॥ २०॥
Transliteration:
namo’stu devyai bhṛgunandanāyai
namo’stu viṣṇor urasi sthitāyai |
namo’stu lakṣmyai kamalālayāyai
namo’stu dāmodara-vallabhāyai || 20 ||
Explanation
Salutations to the Goddess who brought joy to the Bhrigu lineage. Salutations to you who rest on Lord Vishnu’s chest. Salutations to Goddess Lakshmi who dwells in the lotus. Salutations to you, the beloved of Damodara (Krishna).
नमोऽस्तु कान्त्यै कमलेक्षणायै नमोऽस्तु भूत्यै भुवनप्रसूत्यै । नमोऽस्तु देवादिभिरर्चितायै नमोऽस्तु नन्दात्मजवल्लभायै ॥ २१॥
Transliteration:
namo’stu kāntyai kamalekṣaṇāyai
namo’stu bhūtyai bhuvanaprasūtyai |
namo’stu devādibhir arcitāyai
namo’stu nandātmaja-vallabhāyai || 21 ||
Explanation
Salutations to you who are the very light and beauty, with lotus eyes. Salutations to you who give growth and are the Mother of all worlds. Salutations to you who are worshipped by the gods. Salutations to you, the beloved of the son of Nanda (Krishna).
देवि प्रसीद जगदीश्वरि लोकमातः कल्याणगात्रि कमलेक्षणजीवनाथे । दारिद्र्यभीतिहृदयं शरणागतं माम् आलोकय प्रतिदिनं सदयैरपाङ्गैः ॥ २२॥
Transliteration:
devi prasīda jagadīśvari lokamātaḥ
kalyāṇagātri kamalekṣaṇa-jīvanāthe |
dāridryabhīti-hṛdayaṃ śaraṇāgataṃ mām
ālokaya pratidinaṃ sadayair apāṅgaiḥ || 22 ||
Explanation
O Goddess, ruler of the universe, Mother of all worlds, whose body itself is auspiciousness and whose eyes are lotuses — O life of the world, please be kind to me. My heart trembles with the fear of poverty; I have taken refuge at your feet. Look at me every single day with your merciful side-glances and remove all my sorrow.
॥ इति श्रीमच्छङ्कराचार्यकृत श्री कनकधारास्तोत्रं सम्पूर्णम् ॥
May the compassionate glance of Mother Lakshmi fall upon every reader and turn their life into a golden stream of peace, prosperity, and divine love. Recite this stotram with faith, and her blessings will surely flow.
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