Kanakadhaaraa Stotram
of
Shri Shankara Bhagavat Pada
(An attempt at translation by K V Ananthanarayanan)
Stanza 1
अङ्गं हरेः पुळकभूषणमाश्रयन्तीं भृङ्गाङ्गनेव मुकुळाभरणं तमालम्।
अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूतिरपाङ्गलीला माङ्गल्यदास्तु मम मङ्गळदेवतायाः॥
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
aṅgaṁ hareḥ puḻakabhūṣaṇamāśrayantīmbhṛṅgāṅganeva mukuḻābharaṇam tamālam|
aṅgīkṛtākhilavibhūtirapāṅgalīlā
māṅgalyadāstu mama maṅgaḻadevatāyāḥ||
Kanakadharastotram of Shanakara is one of the greatest among devotional hymns in the annals of Hinduism.
The hymn is in praise of Mother Lakshmi, the presiding deity of wealth and welfare, the ultimate symbol in beauty and Grace..
The first stanza is in praise of the benevolent sidelong glances of that Divine Lady ..
Meaning..
May the graceful sideward glance of that Lady of immense elegance and power of benediction shower wealth and welfare on me
The subtle glances of those beautiful eyes that appear like the swift movement of a droning lady beetle,
Those glances that hover around the body of Her eternal lover Hari whose pitch dark body is aroused with goose pimples and thereby make Him resemble a huge black rosewood tree blooming with myriad fresh sprouts
That glance which carries in it all the Grace and blessedness directed at all those on whom those merciful glance rests even for a split second.
The Goddess of Wealth Lakshmi is ever passionately in love with Hari
and He is ever reciprocating the same love..
Her dark eyes resembling a lady bee is hovering around the dark strong body of Her lover Hari..
Word Analysis.
हरेः of Hari
पुळकभूषणं adorned with goose-pimples
अङ्गं body
मुकुळाभरणम् तमालम् black rosewood tree with lots of fresh sprouts
भृङ्गाङ्गना lady beetle
इव Like
आश्रयन्ती depending on, hovering all around
मङ्गळदेवतायाः of that goddess of wealth and well being
अङ्गीकृताखिलविभूति which carries in it all that is great and desirable
अपाङ्गलीला the quick playful lateral movement of the eyes(eyeballs.. )
मम माङ्गल्यदा अस्तु may bestow all welfare on me
Stanza 2
मुग्धा मुहुर्विदधती वदने मुरारे प्रेमत्रपा प्रणिहितानि गतागतानि।
माला दृशोर्मधुकरीव महोत्पले या सा मे श्रियं दिशतु सागर सम्भवायाः॥२।
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
mugdhā muhurvidadhatī vadane murāre
prematrapā praṇihitāni gatāgatāni|
mālā dṛśormadhukarīva mahotpale yā
sā me śriyam diśatu sāgara sambhavāyāḥ||2|
Meaning
Like a beetle flying towards a huge black lily flower and immediately flying back to return to the flower again in search of honey, the affectionate and yet bashful glances thrown by the attractive eyes of Lakshmi, the attractive damsel born of the sea of Milk ( during the churning of the sea for obtaining nectar or amrutham) are reaching again and again the shining black face of Hari the killer of Mura(the asura) ..
May that continuous flow of affectionate glances of Lakshmi bestow on me all wealth and welfare..(The affectionate glances resemble a garland since, one glance is made, then it is averted due to bashfulness, then another glance is given once again.. and this continues.. each glance when put together seems like a garland..)
Note
That attractive Lakshmi is eager to devour the beauty of Her Lord Hari with glances filled with love..
However, as she is bashful by nature and would not like Hari to know that she is watching Him, she would avert her glances in shyness whenever Hari turns his beautiful face at her..
So it is a continuous chain like a garland where Her eyes fall on the Lord’s face and when the Lords looks back, the eyes are averted..
This is just like a beetle flying to the centre of a huge black lily flower in search of honey and after tasting a little honey, flies back, just to return to the flower immediately afterwards..
The dark face of the Lord resembles a huge black lily or Neelolpala flower..
Lakshmi’s Black eyes resemble black beetles and the quick movement of those eyes is attributed in this imagery is to the lovelorn but coy glances originating from Her eyes..(Here the eyes resemble black beetle in form and the action of the glances emanating from the eyes are just like the quick movement of the beetle )
word analysis
महोत्पले on a huge black lily flower
मधुकरी इव like a beetle
मुरारेः वदने on the face of Hari the slayer of Mura
प्रेम त्रपा प्रणिहितानि transmitted alternately with love and bashfulness
गतागतानि making regular forward and backward motion
मुहुः again and again
विदधती applied
सागरसंभवायाः belonging to the damsel who took origin in the sea.. Devi Lakshmi
मुग्धा या दृशोः माला the garland made by the affectionate and excited glances emanating from those eyes
सा मे श्रियं दिशतु may that (garland of affectionate glances) bestow all wealth and welfare on me..
Stanza 3
आमीलिताक्षं अधिगम्य मुदा मुकुन्दं आनन्दकन्दं अनिमेषं अनङ्गतन्त्रम्।
आकेकरस्थित कनीनिक पक्ष्मनेत्रं भूत्यै भवेत् मम भुजङ्ग शयाङ्गनायाः॥३
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
āmīlitākṣam adhigamya mudā mukundam
ānandakandam animeṣam anaṅgatantram|
ākekarasthita kanīnika pakṣmanetram
bhūtyai bhavet mama bhujaṅga śayāṅganāyāḥ||3
In the third Stanza of Kankadhaaraa Stotram, Shankara is describing with poetic flamboyance the tidings of the eyes of Hari and Lakshmi, when the two are in the company of one another, occupying the bed formed by the spiral body of the snake Adhisesha floating on the surface of the milky ocean.
Meaning
In the presence of the beautiful damsel Lakshmi the eyes of Mukunda the Hari is half-closed with ectasy..
Having been fortunate to have such Hari in its range of visions, the lovely eye of Damsel Lakshmi is overflowing with joy as it is the sole source of all happiness for the world. (The sight of the Lord is the source of eternal happiness for the eyes of Lakshmi.. and the eyes of Lakshmi is the source of eternal happiness for all)
The comely eye of Lakshmi is devouring Her Hari without caring even to bat a lid
The beautiful eye has become expert in radiating all the tricks of love discovered by the lord of love the bodyless Kamadeva. And such love of Hers is flowing pointedly at Her Hari.
The eyelids are closed because of love and youthful abashedness of a girl. And only a small part of the black pupil shows itself through the narrow slits formed by the attractive eyelashes.
May (the mercy flowing from) that eye of the Divine mother shower blessedness on me.. and act for my welfare..
The recluse Shankara describing the lovelorn eye contact between Hari and Lakshmi..
All the three are eternally divine.. but maybe even divine beings sometimes forget themselves when they see and feel beauty and love..
Word analysis
मुदा because of happiness
आमीलिताक्षं eyed half closed languidly
मुकुन्दं Hari the Munkunda
अधिगम्य having attained
आनन्दकन्दं rendered as the supreme source of ecstacy
अनिमेषं eyelids not batting
अनङ्गतन्त्रं the great qualities of Cupid manifested
आकेकरस्थित remaining half closed
कनीनिक पक्ष्म eyelids and black pupils concealed mostly by such lids
भुजङ्गशयाङ्गनायाः of the damself who is the consort of the lord who has the serpant Sesha as the bed to lie down
नेत्रं eye
मम भूत्यै भवेत् may be merciful to act for my blessedness.
Stanza 4
बाह्वन्तरे मधुजितः श्रितकौस्तुभे या हारावलीव हरिनीलमयी विभाति।
कामप्रदा भगवतोपि कटाक्षमाला कल्याणमावहतु मे कमलालयायाः॥ ४॥
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
bāhvantare madhujitaḥ śritakaustubhe yā
hārāvalīva harinīlamayī vibhāti |
kāmapradā bhagavatopi kaṭākṣamālā
kalyāṇamāvahatu me kamalālayāyāḥ || 4||
Meaning
The coy looks of Lakshmi are moving fast around the lovely black chest of her lover and master Hari. The chest is encased between two strong hands and shoulders of Hari.. and the gem Kaustubham adorns that chest. The continuous and periodic flow of the glances from the greenish blue..eyes of Lakshmi falls on the bosom of the Lord which too is of Indraneela hue, and the glances adorn with brilliance the chest of Hari as if with a garland . (the reflection of the attractively greenish blue eyballs forms a garland of the same colour when they move quickly along the Lovely bosom area of Hari having two strong and broad shoulders on either side..)
May that garland of benevolent and beautiful glances of the damsel who resides on a lotus bring me all welfare . (Shankara the author of Kanakadhara Stotram prays that the garland formed by a series of affectionate glances formed on the bosom of Hari... the Vanquisher of the demon Madhu, by the eyes of Lakshmi may bless him with all wealth and welfare)
(Hari’s chest shining is with the gem Kausthubham which also came from the sea along with Lakshmi during the churning of milky ocean. It has to be remembered that Hari’s chest is marked by a birthmark called Shreevatsam.
Perhaps caused by the kick received from Sage Bhrigu.
And it is in this greenish blue area that Lakshmi is supposed to reside.
You can see Hari without any ornaments but He has Sreevatsam always in His chest as a birthmark. As the abode as His sweet Lakshmi.
And also as a sign of his reverence to the Sage Brighu….
The garland formed by the gracious fall of those hazel eyes of Lakshmi is capable of blessing even the Lord Hari with great wealth and fulfilling all His desires
Maybe the fall of that those lovelorn looks resulted in getting that tors0 adorned with the precious gem.. Kausthubham)
The Lady of those gracefool looks has Her residence on a lotus.
..
word analysis
या that (garland of benevolent glance )
मधुजितः of the Lord who vanquished the demon Madhu ( the slaying of Madhu and Katabha by Vishnu is a famous story)
श्रितकौस्तुभे adorned with the brilliant gem Kausthubham
बाह्वन्तरे the area between the shoulders.. the torso ( of Vishnu)
हरिनीलमयी of greenish blue.. Indraneela colour
हारावली a beautiful collection of flowers
इव as if
विभाति shining ,
भगवतः अपि even for the Lord(Hari) Himself
कामप्रदा capable of blessing all that is desired
सा that
कमलालयाः of the damsel whose abode is a lotus.. Devi Lakshmi
कटाक्षमाला the garland formed of the eyes moving fast and with bashfulness
मे for me
कल्याणं all wealth and welfare
आवहतु may bring
Stanza 5
कालाम्बुदालि ललितोरसि कैटभारेः धाराधरे स्फुरति या तडिदङ्गनेव।
मातुः समस्तजगतां महनीयमूर्तिः भद्राणि मे दिशतु भार्गव नन्दनायाः॥ ५॥
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
kālāmbudāli lalitorasi kaiṭabhāreḥ dhārādhare sphurati yā taḍidaṅganeva|
mātuḥ samastajagatāṁ mahanīyamūrtiḥ bhadrāṇi me diśatu bhārgava nandanāyāḥ|| 5||
kAlAmbudAli lalitorasi kaiTabhAreH dhArAdhare sphurati yA taDida~Nganeva.
mAtuH samastajagatAM mahanIyamUrtiH bhadrANi me dishatu bhArgava nandanAyAH.. 5..
kanakadhArAstotre..
The fifth stanza of Kankadhara Stotram is a great tribute to nature too.. The dark clouds bearing ample water, is producing a streak of bright ligtning and then the bounty of nectar-like flow of torrential rains follow.. This is compared to what happens when mother Lakshmin embraces the ample dark chest of Her Lord and Lover Narayana.. She too resembles a streak of bright lightning shining on the black chest of her Master.. As they become one in close embrace, right at that moment her eyes shower mercy , bounty, wealth and welfare on all of us..
Meaning
That grand young and most attractive lady is nuzzling on the extremely dark chest of Hari, the enemy of Kaitabha,
the chest of Hari that resembles an array of dark clouds in the sky and She shines there like a streak of lighting in the midst of those clouds,
and
the whole scene is like a huge collection of dark clouds eager to shower rain appearing in the sky and the darkness created by it is suddenly turned into a bright splash of lightning.. followed by torrential outpour..
May that form of the darling daughter of the Bhrigu clan, Lakshmi who is the mother of the whole universe bless me with all the welfare and protection..
Notes.
The story of the demons Madhu and Kaitabha arising from the ear of Vishnu who is in Yoganidra in his bed of Sesha, and the demons creating havoc, Brahmadeva doing penance of Kalaratri Sakthi who wakes up the sleeping Vishnu and He in turn fights with these two Asuras and slays them keeping them lying on their laps is well known..
Many puranas like Markandya Puranam and Brahmanda puranam among others give details of this episode..
The story is part of Saptashati Chandi.. or Devi Mahatmyam too..
Laksmi in one of her incarnations was born as Bhargavi the daughter of Bhrigu or Shukra.. So she is called Bhargavanandana..
Word analysis.
या अङ्गना which elegant lady
कैटभारेः of lord Vishnu the enemy and slayer of Kaitabha the asura
कालांबुदालि ललितोरसि the attractive chest which looks so dark as if it is stacked with a huge array of clouds
धाराधरे तडित् इव स्फुरति shines for like a slender and very bright thunderbolt glowing from the middle of a very huge collection of clouds which are just waiting to shower as huge cascades of water
(तस्याः) her
समस्तजगतां मातुः who is the mother of the entire world
भार्गव नन्दनायाः who is the darling daughter born to the clan of Bhrigu
महनीय मूर्तिः the form which is resplendent in all glory
मे भद्राणि दिशतु may bless me with all wealth and welfare..
Stanza 6
प्राप्तं पदं प्रथमतः खलु यत्प्रभवात् माङ्गल्यभाजि मधुमाथिनि मन्मथेन।
मय्यापतेत् तदिह मन्थरमीक्षाणार्धं मन्दालसं च मकरालय कन्यकायाः॥ ६
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
prāptaṁ padaṁ prathamataḥ khalu yatprabhavāt
māṅgalyabhāji madhumāthini manmathena|
mayyāpatet tadiha mantharamīkṣāṇārdhaṁ
mandālasaṁ ca makarālaya kanyakāyāḥ|| 6
śaṅkarabhagavatpādapraṇīte kanakadhārāstotre||
This slokam, the Sixth in the Kanakadharaastotram, is about the beautiful, languid glance from the half closed eyes of the Mother.. the Lakmi Kataksham..
And we are always eager to let that glance fall on us.. The glances that can bless us with wealth welfare and grace.
Meaning..
May the merciful glance from those half-closed eyes of the Divine Mother Lakshmi fall on me here and now.
Those attractive glances that would mesmerise the minds of those on whom they fall,
Those glances which are very lazy and languid,
those glances that refuse to move away from the objects on which they fall,
Those captivating glances when they fell on Hari the slayer of the demon Madhu,
Hari who is the reservoir for all that is sublime and splendid,
moved Hari’s heart with great love for Laksmi, the daughter of the ocean , the ocean which houses the makaras..
and it was through the lovely feeling caused by those glances of Lakshmi , that the God of Love, Manmatha, the Kamadheva could make an entry into the mind of Hari for the first time and cause the Union of Laksmi and Hari..
Word analysis.
माङ्गल्यभाजि on the one who is the source of all that is splendid, divine and sblime मधुमाथिनि one the one who is the tormentor of the demon Madhu.. meaning lord Narayana
मन्मथेन by the god of Love Kamadeva
पदं entry or footstep
यत्प्रभावात् by whose potency
प्रथमतः in the first place
प्राप्तं attained
मकरालय कन्यकायाः of the daughter of the ocean which houses the Makara fish ( a being with face of crocodile, stag, deer or elephant and having the rear portion just like a large fish with fins an all).. meaning Lakshmi.. who was born from the ocean when it was churned by devas and asuras to win amrutham.
मन्दालसं languid and moving too slowly and in a lazy manner
मन्थरं very attractive.. that could cause emotional upheaval or surge in the minds of others
च and
तत् that
ईक्षणार्धं half, concealed glance of the eyes, glance through half lowered eyelids
इह मयि आपतेत् may fall on me here and now..
Stanza 7
विश्वामरेन्द्र पदविभ्रम दानदक्षं आनन्दहेतुरधिकं मुरविद्विषोऽपि।
ईषन्निषीदतु मयि क्षणं ईक्षणार्धं इन्दीवरोदरसहोदरमिन्दिरायाः॥ ७
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
viśvāmarendra padavibhrama dānadakṣaṁ ānandaheturadhikaṁ muravidviṣo'pi|
īṣanniṣīdatu mayi kṣaṇaṁ īkṣṇārdhaṁ indīvarodarasahodaramindirāyāḥ|| 7
śāṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
In this stanza Shankara is praising the potency of the graceful glance of that beautiful dmasel who loves to live on a lotus. Even a casual glance from those comely eyes can bestow the Lordship of the whole universe and status of Indra on a devotee.
Meaning
May the merciful glance of Lakshmi the Indira, the glance coming from her half closed eyes, fall on me at least for a fleeting slice of time.
Those glances are capable of bestowing on us the status of the suzerain or leader of the whole world as also the status of the lord of the immortal gods
Those glances are sources of eternal happiness to Hari, the slayer of demon Mura
Those glances seem to be the siblings of the inwards of a black lotus, extremely attractive in colour and texture..
Word analysis
विश्वामरेन्द्र पदविभ्रम दान दक्षं powerful enough to bless one with the status of the lord of the entire universe and also the leader of the deathless gods, Indra
मुर विद्विषः to the one who is the enemy and slayer of demon Mura.. Hari himself
अधिकं excessive, copious
आनन्द हेतुः cause of, source of happiness
अपि also
इन्दीवरोदर सहोदरं sibling of the inner part of a black lotus… having similar colour and qualities as the inner part of a black lotus
इन्दिरायाः that lady Lakshmi who loves to live on a lotus
ईक्षणार्धं the half closed benevolent glance
मयि on me
ईषद् a little, wee bit
क्षणं for at least a short while
आपतेद् may fall.
Stanza 8
इष्टाविशिष्ट मतयोऽपि यया दयार्द्र दृष्ट्या त्रिविष्टप पदं सुलभं लभन्ते।
दृष्टिः प्रहृष्ट कमलोदर दीप्तिरिष्टां पुष्टिं कृषीष्ट मम पुष्कर विष्टरायाः॥८
शाङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
iṣṭāviśiṣṭa matayo'pi yayā dayārdra
dṛṣṭyā triviṣṭapa padaṁ sulabhaṁ labhante|
dṛṣṭiḥ prahṛṣṭa kamalodara dīptiriṣṭāṁ
puṣṭiṁ kṛṣīṣṭa mama puṣkara viṣṭarāyāḥ||8
śāṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
The traditional Hindu belief is that we come by great wealth and fortune when we offer to Gods various things by way of Yajnas. But here Shankara is thinking of a shortcut. Even for those who are not inclined to perform rituals, if they happen by chance to be within the benevolent eyeshot that kind mother Lakshmi, they would be blessed with high status.
Meaning
May that sidelong glance, of that damsel who dwells atop a lotus, (fall on me)
The glance, which is as brilliant as the glow inside a fully blown lotus
Shower on me all wealth and and welfare and provide me with growth and stability,
The merciful and attractive glances that assigned the lordship of the whole three worlds, even to a person who has no inclination to perform any ritualistic yajna .
May even a half glance of the Divine Mother fall on me
And may the fall of those glances provide me with sublimity and all round progress
Shankara prays for such a vision to fall on him.
word analysis.
इष्टौ अविशिष्ट मतयः even for thoses who are not having any inclinatin to do yajnas or sacrifices
अपि too
यया which
दयार्द्र दृष्ट्या the vision which is soaked in mercy
त्रिविष्टप पदं that status of being the ruler of the three worls
लभन्ते get
पुष्कर विष्टरायाः the one who has taken abode on a lotus flower
सा प्रहृष्ट कमलोदरदीप्तिः दृष्टिः the vision, the eyeshot, which is as brilliant and attractive as the beauty of the inner paat of a fully blown lotus flower
मम for me
इष्टां पुष्टिं the welfare and progress as fondly desired by me
कृषीष्ट may cause to happen, provide.
Stanza 9
दद्यात् दयानुपवनो द्रविणांबुधारां अस्मिन्नकिन्ञ्चनविगङ्ग शिशौ विषण्णे।
दुष्कर्मघर्ममपनीय चिराय दोरम् नारायणप्रणयिनी नयनांबुवाहः॥
शाङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
dadyāt dayānupavano draviṇāṁbudhārāṁ asminnakinñcanavigaṅga śiśau viṣaṇṇe|
duṣkarmagharmamapanīya cirāya dooram nārāyaṇapraṇayinī nayanāṁbuvāhaḥ||
śāṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
Meaning
“May that rain-cloud which appears as the generous eye of the lover of Narayana(Mother Lakshmi), prodded by the cool breeze of mercy, shower the rain of wealth on this child of the sky.. Who moves across the sky. or the wanderer brahmin, ( a mendicant initiate who just wanders around living just on alms that he would get by begging from door to door) who is overcome by grief, driving away from the penniless child the tormenting heat of his past deeds to huge distances for ever so that it would never come back to him again..”
This slokam points to the episode that led to the composition of Kanakdhara Stotram
Shankara the mendicant was on his rounds for daily alms, as is the rule for the initiates and recluses.
He finds himself entreating for Bhiksha in front of a small hut, where an old lady, without any means, nor having support of any relatives, was staying.
The rules of household makes it the duty of the occupant of the house, to provide food or grain for the wandering initiates calling for alms at their doors..
The lady has absolutely nothing in her possession that she could offer to the child, who stood at her doorstep. So lustrous like Bagavan Shambu Himself.
In utter misery, she rummaged all that was available in her hut and all that she could find was a single dried amla or gooseberry fruit.
And with great hesitation, she placedthis dried piece on the alms-bowl ..
Shankara seeing the abject poverty and misery of that lady, was overcome by compassion, and praises the Goddess of wealth. Mahalakshmi. And entreats for Her assistance to dispel the poverty of this helpless lady.
The hymn is the celebrated Kanakadhara stotam… the prayer for shower of gold in abundance.
Enjoying the prayer by Shankara, the God of Gods Shambu Himself incarnate, the Mangaladevata showered a torrent of gold coins ( in the form of gooseberries made of gold..So the lore goes) through the tattered roof of the hut of that old lady.
The poetic imagery reaches its glorious zenith in the above stanza from that stotram..
Further notes
The Chaathaka (വേഴാമ്പല്) bird is gazing at the skies expecting that a black cloud, prodded by the breeze showers some drops of water into its parched throat dispelling its unquenchable thirst caused by the summer heat and the added misfortune that the bird could drink only the water that pours from the clouds..
For the brahmin initiate, who is also called twice born or dwija, which word also connotes a bird.. He has no personal possessions to offer to the lady ..to mitigate her poverty.. So He makes a prayer to the Goddess of Wealth, and she responds heartily and obliges with a shower of gold..
In reality, was it a prayer from Shankara, or an order which no one could dare to disobey?
Word analysis
asmin vishanne akinchana vihanga shishau dayaanupavano narayanapranayinee nayanaambuvaahaH dushkarmmagharmam chiraaya doorat apaneeya dravinaambudhaaraam dahdyaat..
अस्मिन् विषण्णे on this sad, helpless, miserable
अकिञ्चन विहङ्ग शिशौ penniless, utterly poor child of the twice born class (the Brahmin is called twice born because he is born once from the womb of his mother and is again born when he is initiated to education through upanayana samskaram.. The birds are called twice born because they are born as eggs and then they come out from such eggs later,, and the birds are also called Vihangas because they fly over the air freely.. So Shankara calls himself a little one of Vihanga because He is twice born Brahmin and is also one who wanders everywhere seeking alms.)
दयानुपवनो the one accompanied by the breeze of mercy
नारायणप्रणयिनी of the sweet darling of Narayana
नयनांबुवाहः the merciful glances which are verily the clouds carrying the soothing and cool drops of rain.. which is merciful and rejuvenating to all
दुष्कर्मघर्मं चिराय दूरात् अपनीय destroying the intense heat of sins and evil deeds for ever and throwing then away to great distance
द्रविणाम्बुधारां दध्यात् may give showers of wealth.. Liquid showers of mercy too.
Stanza 10
गीर्देवतेति गरुडध्वजसुन्दरीति शाकंभरीति शशिशेखर वल्लभेति।
सृष्टिस्थितिप्रळयकेळिषु संस्थितायै तस्यै नमः त्रिभुवनैकगुरोस्तरुण्यै॥
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे
gīrdevateti garuḍadhvajasundarīti śākaṁbharīti śaśiśekhara vallabheti|
sṛṣṭisthitipraḻayakeḻiṣu saṁsthitāyai tasyai namaḥ tribhuvanaikagurostaruṇyai||
shankaraachaaryavircite kanakadhārāstotre
Shankara declares that the Divine Mother is really the Shakti.. wielding powers of creation, maintenance and destruction of all things.. and She manifests as the Shakthi of Brahma, Vani, the mother of Muses, the Shakthi of Narayana the Lakshmi and the Shakthi of Shiva the Uma..
Meaning
I humbly offer my pranaams to the damsel of the lord of three worlds (manifest as Brahma, Vshnu and Shiva).
She is showering Grace on us as the goddess of words and muses, Sarswathi.
She blesses us as the beautiful Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu who carries the leader of birds Garuda in His flagstaff,
She protects us as the Durga who is Sakambari, the one who adorns herself with all the vegetation on the earth,
and she is the consort of Shiva the one who is wearing the moon on his head..
She is thus engaged in the game of creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe, as the Sakhti of the triumvirate.
She is the one from whom all of us came, she is the knowledge, she is the wealth and welfare..
May that benign Lady who is the mother of us all protect us.
Word analysis
गीर्देवता इति as the goddess of words and letters
गरुडद्वज सुन्दरी इति as the beloved lady of the one who is having garuda as his flag
शाकम्बरी इति the goddess who is manifesting herself in all green vegetation.. protecting the greenery of the universe.. the Durga
(The vedas were stolen by a demon Ruru and there were no yajnas on earth.. This resulted in draught and famine for many years.. The sages did penance and propitiated Paravathi the mahatripurasundari.. and she manifested Herself as Shatakshi or the Lady with hundred eyes and when She saw the misery of the world, torrents of tear flowed from those eyes and such tears filled the earth and the rivers.. So the vegetation on earth was rejuvenated.. Further, in her extreme mercy Parvathi further manifested herself with eight hands which held all vegetables, corns, cereals etc.. and the people on earth ate from her hands and survived and thrived. As She manifested with Vegetables in her hands, Parvathy the Durga was praised by all as Shakambari. The detailed story of Shakambari is found in Devi Puranam and Devi Mahatmyam of Markandeya Puranam also praises Mother Shakambhari)
शशिशेखर वल्लभा इति as the beloved consort of Shankara who wears the lunar crescent on his matted locks.. that Uma Paravathi
या सृष्टि स्थिति प्रलय केलिषु (who engaging herself ) in creation, maintenance and destruction or deluge
संस्थिता तस्यै for her who is shining forth as
त्रिभुवनैकगुरोः of the father of the three words.. Hari
तरुण्यै नमः pranams to that young lady
Stanza 11
श्रुत्यै नमोऽस्तु शुभकर्मफलप्रसूत्यै रत्यै नोमोऽस्तु रमणीयगुणार्णवायै।
शक्त्यै नमोऽस्तु शतपत्रनिकेतनायै पुष्ट्यै नमोऽस्तु पुरुषोत्तम वल्लभायै॥११
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
śrutyai namo'stu śubhakarmaphalaprasūtyai ratyai nomo'stu ramaṇīyaguṇārṇavāyai|
śaktyai namo'stu śatapatraniketanāyai puṣṭyai namo'stu puruṣottama vallabhāyai||11
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
In this stanza, Shankara praises and underlines the various qualities of the Divine mother.. He seems to visualize the wholesome aspect of Mahatripura sundari.. Who is actually a part of Himself as He is really none other than Sadashiva Himself.. and He is eloquent in his praise.
Shruti .. represents the words, the Vedas.. all knowledge.. the aspect of Saraswathi.. and the words are the source of all that is good.. And all that is good emerges out of nice words.
Rati.. represents beauty, enjoyment… the maintenance part of the existence of the Universe.. The Laksmi Herself.. There is no one to rival Laksmi in Her beauty.. even though she is also the mother in law of Ratidevi, the wife of Kamadeva.. All the wealth like Shankha Nidhi, Padma Nidhi are in her control.. and the ocean is the storehouse for all wealth.. So she is the ocean.. who stores the wealth and all those graceful qualities too.
Shakthi.. the Uma Parvathi… the vital force that sustains the universe, and where all things just merge when their mission on earth is completed.. The consort of Shankara.. She is staying in a lotus of thousand petals.. This lotus means the Sahasraara Padama which for the yogin is located at the top of the head.. where the Kundalini Shakthi is raised ultimately.. and the release of the Shakthi from there is the ultimate emancipation.
Pushti.. the consort of Purushottama… The goddess of growth and abundance.. Hari is called the Purushottama.. He is the sustainer and ruler of all the universe in its existence.. He is the best among all people.. And if He is to rule well, there should be growth and abundnce.. and the Divine mother provides it.. as wealth, as fertile earth, with mountains, greeneries, flora and fauna..
What an all embracing prayer.!. When we just meditate over Her in all these aspects, we would understand how great our Mother is.. And we would also know how the genius of Shankara worked.. How great a visionary he is.!
Meaning
pranams to mother Shruti who is the harbinger of very favourable results to all good work
Pranams to mother Rati who is the ocean of all graceful qualities and attributes
Pranams to mother Shakthi who is the dweller of the lotus with thousand petals
Pranams to mother Pushti who is the heart throb of the best among males, that Lord Narayana the Hari..
Word Analysis
शुभकर्म फलप्रसूत्यै श्रुत्यै नमः अस्तु pranams to mother Shruti who is the harbinger of very favourable results to all good work
रमणीय गुनार्णवायै रत्यै नमः अस्तु Pranams to mother Rati who is the ocean of all graceful gualities and attributes
शतपत्र निकेतनायै शक्त्यै नमः अस्तु Pranams to mother Shakthi who is the dweller of the lotus with thousand petals
पुरुषोत्तम वल्लभायै पुष्ट्यै नमः अस्तु Pranams to mother Pushti who is the heart throb of the best among males, that Lord Narayana the Hari..
Stanza 12
नमोस्तु नालीकनिभाननायै नमोस्तु दुग्धोदधि जन्मभूम्यै।
नमोस्तु सोमामृत सोदरायै नमोस्तु नारायण वल्लभायै॥
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारस्तोत्रे
namostu nālīkanibhānanāyai namostu dugdhodadhi janmabhūmyai|
namostu somāmṛta sodarāyai namostu nārāyaṇa vallabhāyai||
śanṅkaraacaarya viracite kanakadhārastotre
Another stanza praising the various attributes of Lakshmi
Meaning
Pranams to that attractive lady who has a face like a lotus bunch
Pranams to that attractive lady who took birth in the ocean of milk
Pranams to that attractive lady who has the moon and the nectar as her siblings
Pranams to that attractive lady who is the heart throb of Narayana
Word analysis.
नालीकनिभाननायै नमः अस्तु pranams to the one with a face resembling a bunch of lotuses blooming at the top of very long and tender stalks.
दुग्धोदधि जन्मभूत्यै नमः अस्तु pranams to the one who took birth In the ocean of milk
सोम अमृत सोदरायै नमः अस्तु pranams to the one who is the sister of the Moon and the nectar ( Laksmi, the Moon and the nectar (Amrita) too all took birth in the milky ocean.. So the milky ocean is their mother and the three are siblings.)
नारायण वल्लभायै नमः अस्तु pranams to the most beloved consort of Narayana
Stanza 13
नमोऽस्तु हेमाम्बुजपीठिकायै नमोऽस्तु भूमण्डलनायिकायै।
नमोऽस्तु देवादिदयापरायै नमोऽस्तु शार्ङ्गायुधवल्लभायै॥ १३
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
namo'stu hemāmbujapīṭhikāyai namo'stu bhūmaṇḍalanāyikāyai|
namo'stu devādidayāparāyai namo'stu śārṅgāyudhavallabhāyai|| 13
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
This stanza is extolling four of the exalted qualitis of the Divine mother Lakshmi.
Meaning
pranams to the Mother who is seated on a lotus made of Gold
pranams to the Mother who is the controller of the whole earth and universe
pranams to the Mother who is ever filled with mercy towards gods
pranams to the Mother who is the consort of Hari who wields the bow Sharnga.
Word Analysis
हेमाम्बुजपीठिकायै नमः अस्तु worhsip and supplications to the Mother who is seated on a lotus made of Gold
भूमण्डलनायिकायै नमः अस्तु worship and supplications to the Mother who is the controller of the whole earth and universe
देवादिदयापरायै नमः अस्तु worship and supplication to the Mother who is ever filled with mercy towards gods
शार्ङ्गायुधवल्लभायै नमः अस्तु worship and supplications to the Mother who is the consort of Hari who wields the bow Sharnga.
Note
Hari the Vishnu is famous for having many adornments which are called Aayudhaas. .
The Garland of wild flowers, Vanamala,
The mace or Gada by name Kaumodakee,
the bow Shargha,
the conch Panchajanya,
the discus Sudharshana
and
the sword Nandaka..
So he is called Shargaayudha
Stanzas 14, 15
नमोऽस्तु देव्यै भृगुनन्दनायै नमोऽस्तु विष्णोरुरसि स्थितायै।
नमोऽस्तु लक्ष्म्यै कमलालयायै नमोऽस्तु दामोदर वल्लभायै॥१४
नमोऽस्तु कान्त्यै कमलेक्षणय नमोऽस्तु भूत्यै भुवनप्रसूत्यै।
नमोऽस्तु देवादिभिरर्चितायै नमोऽस्तु नन्दात्मज वल्लभायै॥ १५
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
namo'stu devyai bhṛgunandanāyai namo'stu viṣṇorurasi sthitāyai|
namo'stu lakṣmyai kamalālayāyai namo'stu dāmodara vallabhāyai||14
namo'stu kāntyai kamalekṣaṇayaī namo'stu bhūtyai bhuvanaprasūtyai|
namo'stu devādibhirarcitāyai namo'stu nandātmaja vallabhāyai|| 15
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
Stanzas 14 and 15 of the Kanakadharastotram is again by way of offering praise and worship to the Grand Lady Lakshmi, by enumerating Her various glorious aspects.
Meaning
My worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who is the daughter of Bhrigu
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who shines forth happily occupying the chest of Lord Vishnu
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who is having the lotus as her happy abode
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who is the beloved life partner of the Hari who was once tied by a rope around his belly by his mother Yashodha
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who sheds forth dazzling lustre and who is having eyes resembling beautiful lotuses
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who is the source of all that is great, and who is the mother of the entire universe
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who is ever praised and sought in refuge by even the gods and such great beings
my worshipful pranams at the feet of the Goddess Lakshmi who is the most beloved consort of that Hari, the Son of Nandagopa..
word analysis
भृगुनन्दनायै देव्यै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to Goddess Lakshmi who is the daughter of Bhrigu
विष्णोः उरसि स्थितायै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who shines forth happily occupying the chest of Lord Vishnu
कमलालयायै लक्ष्म्यै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who is having the lotus as her happy abode
दामोदर वल्लभायै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who is the beloved life partner of the Hari who was once tied by a rope around his belly by his mother Yashodha
कान्त्यै कमलेक्षणायै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who sheds forth dazzling lustre and having eyes resembling beautiful lotuses
भूत्यै भुवनप्रसूत्यै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who is the source of all that is great, and who is the mother of the entire universe
देवादिभिः अर्चितायै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who is ever praised and sought in refuge by even the gods and such great beings
नन्दात्मज वल्लभायै नमः अस्तु my worshipful pranams to the Goddess Lakshmi who is the most beloved consort of that Son of Nandagopa, the Hari..
Stanza 16
संपत्कराणि सकलेन्द्रियनन्दनानि साम्राज्यदान विभवानि सरोरुहाक्षि।
त्वद्वन्दनानि दुरिताहरणोद्यतानि मामेव मातरनिशं कलयन्तु मान्ये॥१६
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
saṁpatkarāṇi sakalendriyanandanāni sāmrājyadāna vibhavāni saroruhākṣi|
tvadvandanāni duritāharaṇodyatāni māmeva mātaraniśaṁ kalayantu mānye||16
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
The great benefits that would arise from the uninterrupted worship of that Mother of Wealth and fortune are enumerated in this stanza..
The worship directed towards Her would come back to the devotee in the shape of welfare and blessings in the most wholesome manner.
Meaning
Mother Laksmi, the most respectable one, the one whose eyes resemble a pair of lotuses, may the favourable outcome of my respectful worship and pranaams to you for ever return to me and me alone, in the shape of very positive and bountiful results to me..
Your worship is capable of blessing me with all wealth and welfare
Your worship is capable of blessing me with great happiness for all the organs of the body
Your worship is capable of blessing me with a gift of a whole kingdom
Your worship is capable and is ever ready to annihilate all my misery and misfortune
Word analysis
मान्ये lady who deserves greatest respect
हे सरोरुहाक्षि you the one with eyes resembling a pair of lotuses
संपत्कराणि. That would generate great wealth and affluence
सकल इन्द्रिय नन्दनानि that would provide ecstacy of all organs of the body and mind
साम्राज्य दान विभवानि that has the capacity to provide one with the gift of a great kingdom
दुरिताहरण उद्यतानि which is ever ready to annihilate the misery and misfortune of the devotee
त्वद् वन्दनानि ( the favourable results of ) the respectful pranams directed at you
अनिशं without interruption, for ever
मां एव me alone
कलयन्तु think of.. Be in the positive consideration.
Stanza 17
यत्कटाक्ष समुपासनाविधिःसेवकस्य सकलार्थसंपदः।
संतनोति वचनाङ्गमानसैः त्वां मुरारि हृदयेश्वरीं भजे॥१७
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
yatkaṭākṣa samupāsanāvidhiḥ sevakasya sakalārthasaṁpadaḥ|
saṁtanoti vacanāṅgamānasaiḥ tvāṁ murāri hṛdayeśvarīṁ bhaje||17
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
This stanza pays respects to that benevolent lady Laksmi. The very process of worshipping Her... Or perhaps even a thought or desire to worship Her would bring all the glory and affluence to the devotee
Meaning.
Pranams to the beloved consort of Hari, the Lord who is the enemy of the demon Mura,
I worship you that Merciful Mother with my words, limbs and mind all devoted to you and concentrated on your glory.
For, you are the mother, even the thought about the method of worshipping and adoring whose sideways glance would bless your devoted servant with all that he should desire… the dharma, artha, kamam and Moksham and also would endow him with immense wealth.
Word Analysis.
यत् कटाक्ष समुपासना विधिः the process of worshipping whose benevolent side glances
सेवकस्य to the servant, to the devotee
सकल अर्थ संपदः all sorts of affluence and wealth
संतनोति gives, provide
तां such a person
मुरारि ह्रुदयेश्वरीं the queen of the heart, the heart throb of Hari, the slayer of the deomn Mura
त्वां you
वचन अङ्ग मानसैः through words, limbs and the mind
भजे I worship and take refuge on.
Stanza 18
सरसिजनिलये सरोजहस्ते धवळतमांशुक गन्धमाल्य शोभे।
भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवनभुतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यम्॥१८
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
sarasijanilaye sarojahaste dhavaḻatamāṁśuka gandhamālya śobhe|
bhagavati harivallabhe manojñe tribhuvanabhutikari prasīda mahyam||18
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
This sloka is seen as a sublime prayer to Mother Lakshmi... We find the same sloka with minor variation in the Vedic Prayer Sree Sooktham too..(Shree Sooktham comes from the khila portion of the Rigvedam)
Meaning
Mother Lakshmi, may Your Divine Grace be always pleased on me, a devotee of yours
You live happily for ever on a lotus
In turn you hold a beautiful lotus in your hand
You are brillianly clad in pure white silk clothes
You are decorated with fragrant Sandal paste and garlands made of beautiful flowers
You are the mother possessed of all benevolent qualities befitting the supreme goddess.. the bhagavati
You are the happy consort of Hari
You are the most beautiful Lady who knows the minds of others, and therefore capable of removing the sorrows araising there.
You are the provider of prosperity and wealth as your bounty for the three worlds
word analysis.
सरसिज निलये who lives happily ever on a lotus
सरोज हस्ते who carries a lotus in her hands
धवलतम अंशुक most brilliantly white silks
गन्ध माल्य शोभे very fragrant sandal paste and garlands
भगवति goddess possessed of sublime divine powers
हरिवल्लभे the darling life partner of Hari
मनोज्ञे who is pleasing to the mind, who knows the minds of others, beautiful
त्रिभुवन भूतिकरि who provides prosperity and wealth for the the three worlds as her bounty
त्वं you
मयि in me
प्रसीद may be pleased
Stanza 19
दिग्गस्तिभिः कनककुम्भमुखावसृष्ट स्वर्वाहिनीविमलचारुजलप्ळुताङ्गीम्।
प्रातर्नमामि जगतां जननीं अशेषलोकाधिनाथगृहिणीं अमृताब्धिपुत्रीम्॥
शङ्करभगवत्पादविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
diggastibhiḥ kanakakumbhamukhāvasṛṣṭa svarvāhinīvimalacārujalapḻutāṅgīm|
prātarnamāmi jagatāṁ janaeem aśeṣalokādhināthagṛhiṇīṁ amṛtābdhiputrīm||
śaṅkarabhagavatpādaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
The Royal splendour and glory of the Divine mother is explained here .
Meaning
I offer my pranams first in the morning to that Mother Laksmi
who is the mother of the whole world.
Who is the consort of that Narayana who is the master of the entire universe
Who is the daughter of the milky ocean which yielded amritam
Whose body is entirely being bathed in the waters of celestial Ganga
The waters of Ganga for her bath are being brought in pots made of gold, carried by the eight elephants guarding the eight cardinal direction
Such waters of celestial Ganga which are pure, blemishless and soothing
Note
1 It is a famous story that Laksmi took birth from the milky ocean when the devas and asuras churned the ocean with the mountain mantharam and the snake vasuki.. Their aim was to obtain Amrutham.. the elixir of deathlessnes
2.. The moon, many gems, Airavatham the white elephant, Ucchaishrava the horse, and the amritam itself too are famed to have sprung out of that ocean along with Lakshmi..
The eight elephants guarding the cardinal directions are
ऐरावतः पुण्डरीको वामनः कुमुदोSञ्जनः । पुष्पदन्तः सार्वभौमः सुप्रतीकश्च दिग्गजाः ।। अमरकोशः.
as per amarakosham
airavata, pundareeka, vaamana, kumuda, anjana, pushpadantaH, saarvabhauma and suprateeka..
Word analysis
दिग्गस्तिभिः by the famous elephants guarding the eight cardinal directions
कनककुम्भ मुख अवसृष्ट being poured from pitchers made of gold
स्वर्वाहिनी विमल चारु जल आप्ल्ताङ्गीं the pure and beautiful waters of the stream (of Ganga) flowing in the heaven
जगतां जननीं mother of worlds
अमृताब्दि पुत्रीं the daughter of the milky ocean which contained amrutam or nectar too
अशेष लोकाधिनाथ गृहिणीं the lady presiding over the household of Hari who is the one and only master of all the world
प्रातः नमामि offer pranams in the morning.
Stanza 20
कमले कमलाक्षवल्लभे त्वं करुणापूरतरङ्गितैः अपाङ्गैः।
अवलोकय मां अकिञ्चनानां प्रथमं पात्रं अकृत्रिमं दयायाः॥२०
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
kamale kamalākṣavallabhe tvaṁ
karuṇāpūrataraṅgitaiḥ apāṅgaiḥ|
avalokaya māṁ akiñcanānāṁ
prathamaṁ pātraṁ akṛtrimaṁ dayāyāḥ||20
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
This is the final Stanza of Shankaras Kanakadhaaraastotram..
The next stanza is just a phalashruti.. stating the benefits of chanting this hymn.
Meaning
Mother Laksmi, you are a lotus yourself, and you are the darling of Hari who is having eyes resembling lotuses,, May you just have a glimpse at me through your sidelong glances which resemble the cool mellow waves of the ocean that is your infinite mercy..
I am the most suitable and guileless candidate for your mercy, as I am the first and foremost among the poor, the poor fellow having nothing to claim as my own
(Remember, the prayer is by Shankara, an initiate and a mendicant, walking by foot from house to house, begging for the days food.. calling out भवति भिक्षां देहि.... and the mother showered Amalakas or gooseberry fruits of Gold to his prayer)
Word Analysis
कमलाक्ष वल्लभे My mother Lakshmi, who is the most beloved consort of Hari who has beautiful eyes resembling a pair of lotuses
कमले you, verily the embodiment of kamala.. the blemishless lotus.. living in lotus,holding a lotus, loving a lotus, having eyes resembling lotus,.. so attractive like a bloomin lotus..
( cf.. पद्मप्रिये पद्मिनि पद्म हस्ते पद्मालये पद्म दलायताक्षी... who loves lotuses, who is a chaste lady as delicate as a lotus, who is having a lotus in her hands, who is having a pair of eyes resembling the petals of a lotus … from Sree Sooktham पद्मालयां पद्मां--- who is resding on lotus, who is like a lotus herself पद्मप्रियां पद्मवर्णां पद्माक्षीं पद्म सुन्दरीं पद्मोद्भवां पद्ममुखीं पद्मनाभ पिर्यां रमां.. who adores and fancies lotuses, who is having the complexion of a lotus, who is having eyes like lotuse, who is as attractive as a lotus, who has taken birth on a lotus, who is having an attractive face resembling lotus, and who is the darling of Hari from whose navel sprouts a lotus कमलां कान्तां – an attractive lotus….. all these epithets come in the Lakshmi Ashtottaram…rendered by Lord Shiva to Uma.. And we know the charkras in our spinal chord.. the yogic chakras.. mooladhara, svaadhishtaana, manipoora, anaahata, vishuddhi, aajnaa and sahasraara.. all are represented by lotuses)
त्वं you
अकिञ्जनानां person so poor having nothing to claim as his own
प्रथमं first among ( the poorest of the poor )
दयायाः of Her sweet Mercy
अकृत्रिमं natural, unadulterated, guileless
पात्रं beneficiary, receptacle
मां me
करुणापूर तरङ्गितै those resembling the waves of the ocean of benevolence
अपाङ्गैः sideways glances
अवलोकय please see, please have a glance at me..
Stanza 21
स्तुवन्ति ये स्तुतिभिरमीभिरन्वहं त्रयीमयीं त्रिभुवनमातरं रमाम्।
गुणाधिकाः गुरुतर भाग्यभागिनः भवन्ति ते भुवि बुध भाविताशयाः॥ २१
शङ्कराचार्यविरचिते कनकधारास्तोत्रे॥
stuvanti ye stutibhiramībhiranvahaṁ
trayīmayīṁ tribhuvanamātaraṁ ramām|
guṇādhikāḥ gurutara bhāgyabhāginaḥ
bhavanti te bhuvi budha bhāvitāśayāḥ|| 21
śaṅkarācāryaviracite kanakadhārāstotre||
This is the final Slokam of Kanakadhaaraastotram… which spells out the benefits of reciting that great hymn.
Meaning..
Those people who chant this stotram every day without break, the stotram which is in praise of Mother Lakshmi who is the embodiment of the three Vedas, Rig, Yajus and Sama, Laksmi who is call Rema the attractive Lady too and is the mother of the three worlds, would be endowed with all great qualities of mind and body, they would enjoy fortunes on this earth beyond measurement, and would be respected and praised by the learned people and would enjoy the company of such great souls for ever.
Word Analysis.
ये those people who
त्रयीमयीं the bodily manifestation of thrayee.. the three vedas.. Rig, Yajus and Sama
त्रिभुवन मातरं the mother of the three worlds
रमां that attractive lady Rema the Lakshmi
अमीभिः स्तुतिभिः these hymns in praise of Her
अन्वयं repeatedly every day
स्तुवन्ति praise
ते they
गुणाधिकाः being endowed with all sterling qualities
गुरुतर very pronounced, of great quality and quantiy
भाग्य भागिनः enjoying great fortune
भुवि on this earth
बुधभावित आशयाः filled with praise and approval of the learned people and enjoying their company
भवन्ति Remain
May the Divine mother bless us with health, wealth, strength and long life..
Shree Maatre NamaH.. Shree Mahadeyai namaH
श्री मात्रे नमः श्री महादेव्यै नमः
Mahaadevyai cha vidmahe Vishnupatnyai ca dheemahi tanno LakshmeeH prachodayaat..
महादेव्यै च विद्महे विष्णुपत्न्यै चा धीमहि तन्नो लक्ष्मीः प्रचोदयात्
Shree varchasvam aayushyam aavidhaaH shobhamaanam maheeyate dhaanyam dhanam pashum bahuputralaabham satasamvatsaram deergham aayuh.
श्रीर्वचस्वं आयुष्यं आरोग्यमाविधाः शोभमानं महीयते धान्यं धनं पशुं बहुपुत्रलाभं शतसंवत्सरं दीर्घंमायुः
Pranams
K V ananthanarayanan
