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The Meaning of Kanaka Dhara
The Kanakadhara Stotram composed by Adi Shankaracharya is a tribute to Goddess Lakshmi. It consists of 21 verses. ‘Kanaka’ means ‘gold’ while ‘dhara’ means ‘flow’. Hence, the Kanakadhara Stotram brings in a flow of wealth and prosperity helping one repay debts and loans.
Some Benefits of Kanakadhara Stotram
It is also good for businesses and start-ups. Ideally, you should chant this Stotram on Fridays and Purnima for best results. The chanter’s house shall be prosperous and abundant. There shall never be a dearth of grains in such a house. The Stotram transports one to higher states of consciousness. Goddess Lakshmi enters the house of the chanter in the form of wealth. People suffering from poverty due to past bad karma gain respite.
Adi Shankara glorifies Lakshmi Devi’s side glances at 13 places of the Kanakadhara Stotram emphasizing that a mere side glance of Devi can bring in untold wealth and benefits. Chanting the Stotram ends all financial difficulties and unemployment by giving the required energy for material accomplishment.
Devi does not personally come. She comes in the form of inspiration and ideas yielding fortune in the future. The Kanakadhara Stotram is extremely poetic describing the beauty, power, intelligence, and personality of Goddess Lakshmi.
It emphasizes her extreme beauty that even captivates the heart of Lord Vishnu.
Desirelessness is the Key to Long-Term Benefits
In a nutshell, the Kanakadhara Stotram vanquishes the demon of poverty and initiates a financially assured life. I want to emphasize with certainty that the Kanakadhara Stotram cannot generate wealth by mere recitation with a desire to become rich. Bhakti of Laxmi Devi has to be done with utter desirelessness, with humility in the heart, just to gain her Love. This is the only mood that will attract Devi’s attention and Grace.
The Kanakadhara Stotram should only be an effort to gain the Love of Devi with the Seva or service of chanting the Stotram to Her, for Her pleasure alone. Devi never fulfills desires born out of greed. Devi provides wealth for sustenance, That’s all.
You may also like our video on Lakshmi Mantra.
8 Questions from Sanatana Dharma
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The Story Behind Kanakadhara Stotram
The story of the Kanakadhara Stotram goes like this-
After the death of his father, the 4-year-old Shankara joined Guru Kula. As per the custom, the young Brahmin boys would go door-door collecting alms. These alms were then shared with fellow-god-brothers and consumed. The practice may seem bizarre as it promotes the act of begging which may appear socially reproachable. A true Brahmana should beg for alms; this was part of the original Sanatana Dharma system.
A true Brahmana of the modern day should attain Bhagavan, keeping that as a primary goal, and depend on Bhagavan for his sustenance. Bhagavan takes care of his needs through Seva and Donations. He need not categorically demand a fee for his services as a teacher. Devi will make arrangements for his upkeep and welfare.
By seeking alms or accepting donations without demand, a Brahmana subdues the ego and instills the virtue of humility. It also proves the dependence on Bhagawan. Watch our video on Varnashrama Dharma and Bhagavata Dharma to know the basis of Sanatana Dharma
One day young Shankara spotted a woman standing in front of a hut. With the hope of getting Bhiksha, Shankara called out “Bhavati Bhiksham Dehi” which means “Oh mother, give me alms”. Influenced by Shanakara’s brilliance, the old lady smiled at him. Startled as she was, she lived in utter poverty.
Clad in tattered clothes, the lady immediately ran inside to see what she could offer.
Alas, there were only empty pots and pans. In Bharat, people sincerely followed this dictum- ‘Athithi devo Bhava’ which means ‘A guest is God in disguise’. Turning down a Brahmin disappointed on a Dwadashi day would incur sin, she thought. Suddenly, she remembered a gooseberry kept on the upper shelf of the kitchen. The gooseberry had shrunk and dried up.
However, that was the only asset she had. The lady doubtfully placed the gooseberry in Shankara’s bowl. Touched by her act, the Kanakadhara Stotram poured out from Shankara’s lotus mouth like ambrosia. He pleaded to Mahalakshmi to cast her merciful glance at this lady.
At first, Lakshmi Devi refused, as the lady had not performed any charity or good deeds in her previous births. Nobody can change the line of fate. However, Adi Shankara argued that a lady who offered her all to a Brahmin certainly deserved this fortune. As a result of his prayers, a downpour of golden gooseberries piled up on the ground. It was the rainfall of gold in broad daylight.
This showed that though Shankara had luxuries at his beck and call, he followed his dharma of asking Bhiksha. Also, watch our video on Ashtalakshmi Stotram to know the significance of Ashtalakshmi. The lady’s hut which existed in Punnorkode got the name ‘Swarnathu Mana’ meaning ‘Golden House’.
A Mahalakshmi temple stands at that spot which was consecrated in 2018.
Process of Chanting Kanakadhara Stotram
Now I shall cover the process of chanting the Kanakadhara Stotram. Sit facing the east or north direction. The surroundings should be clean and conducive for Lakshmi Sadhana. The chanting should not be whimsical.
Chant it daily as a spiritual discipline. Light a ghee lamp in the morning to invite spiritual vibration. You can also keep an image of Lakshmi devi for ease in the Dhyana of the mother goddess. Then start the recitation once, thrice, or five times as time permits.
You do not need initiation to recite Kanakadhara Stotram.All are eligible to chant this stotram.
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