Kanakadhara Stotram

Just as a dark female honeybee hovers lovingly over a blossoming Tamala tree laden with buds, so does Goddess Lakshmi's glance rest upon the dark, thrilled form of Lord Hari. May the playful sidelong glance of that supreme Goddess of Auspicious Fortune, in which all universal wealth and majesty resides, bestow boundless prosperity upon me!

Repeatedly directed towards the face of Murari (Vishnu), alternating between shy modesty and overflowing love, Her line of glances flits like a honeybee drawn to a grand blooming blue lotus. May that radiant glance of the Ocean-Born Goddess bestow divine prosperity upon me!

Capable of easily bestowing the sovereign sovereignty of celestial Indra across the universe, and creating immense bliss even in the heart of Lord Vishnu, may that half-opened sidelong glance of Goddess Indira (Lakshmi), resembling the deep blue interior of a blooming blue lotus, rest gently upon me for a single moment!

Beholding Lord Mukunda (Vishnu) with His eyes half-closed in divine ecstasy, drinking in that root of supreme bliss with unblinking love and tender pupils, may the bashful, loving gaze of the Consort of Him who reclines upon the serpent Shesha grant me lasting abundance and fortune!

Shining upon the broad chest of the slayer of Madhu, which is already adorned by the radiant Kaustubha gem, Her stream of dark glances gleams like a necklace of sapphires. Fulfilling the desire even of the Supreme Lord Himself, may that stream of sidelong glances of Lotus-Dwelling Lakshmi bring me supreme auspiciousness!

Like a flash of dazzling golden lightning flashing amidst dark, moisture-laden rainclouds, Her presence gleams upon the dark, tender chest of the enemy of Kaitabha. May the venerable, worshipful form of the Mother of all the worlds, the beloved daughter of Sage Bhrigu, bestow all blessings upon me!

By whose sovereign influence alone Kamadeva (the god of love) obtained his exalted power even over the auspicious Lord Vishnu, the conqueror of Madhu—may that gentle, languid, and grace-filled half-glance of the Daughter of the Ocean fall upon me here!

Impelled by the breeze of unconditional compassion, may the raincloud of the eyes of Lord Narayana's Beloved pour down a torrential shower of golden wealth upon me—a helpless, dejected, fledgling bird—dispelling forever the scorching summer heat of past sinful karmas!

By whose glance moistened with compassion, seekers of spiritual wisdom easily attain the highest celestial realms of heaven—may that glance of the Goddess seated upon the lotus seat, radiant like the interior of a blossoming lotus, bestow upon me the fulfillment of all noble desires and nourishment!

She who is Saraswati (the goddess of speech) in creation, Lakshmi (consort of Garuda-bannered Vishnu) in preservation, and Shakambhari or Parvati (beloved of crescent-crested Shiva) in cosmic dissolution—salutations unto that ever-youthful Divine Mother, the eternal partner of the supreme Guru of the three worlds!

Salutations to You as Shruti (the Vedic revelation), the mother of the auspicious fruits of righteous deeds! Salutations to You as Rati (divine delight), the ocean of delightful virtues! Salutations to You as Shakti (supreme power), residing in the hundred-petaled lotus! Salutations to You as Pushti (cosmic nourishment), the beloved of Purushottama Vishnu!

Salutations to You whose face blossoms like a pristine lotus! Salutations to You whose birthplace is the Ocean of Milk! Salutations to You, the twin sister of the Moon and the immortal Nectar! Salutations to You, the eternal beloved of Lord Narayana!

O Lotus-Eyed Mother! Prostrations offered to You generate supreme prosperity, delight all the senses, possess the power to grant imperial sovereignty, and are ever ready to eradicate all sins. O venerable Mother, may devotion and reverent bows unto You eternally abide within me!

Worship of whose gracious sidelong glance expands all forms of wealth and spiritual goals for Her humble servant—unto You, the sovereign Empress residing in the heart of Lord Murari, I surrender with word, body, and mind!

O Goddess seated on a lotus, holding blooming lotuses in Your hands, adorned with dazzling white garments, fragrant unguents, and garlands! O divine Sovereign, Beloved of Hari, charming and auspicious, Creator of all prosperity in the three worlds, be pleased with me and shower Your grace!

Bathed in the pristine celestial waters of the heavenly Ganga poured from golden pitchers held in the trunks of the elephants of the eight directions—I bow at dawn unto the Mother of all the worlds, the Queen of the Lord of all realms, the Daughter of the Ocean of Nectar!

O Kamala, Lotus-Born Goddess, Beloved of the Lotus-Eyed Vishnu! Cast Your glances rippling with the tidal waves of boundless compassion upon me, who am the foremost among the destitute and a truly worthy recipient of Your unconditional mercy!

Those who praise Goddess Rama, the embodiment of the threefold Vedas and Mother of the three worlds, daily with these sacred hymns become abundantly endowed with noble virtues and immense fortune, and their minds are treasured and honored by the wise throughout the earth.

Salutations to You who is seated upon a golden lotus throne! Salutations to You, the Empress of the entire earth! Salutations to You who is ever compassionate toward the gods and all living beings! Salutations to You, the beloved of the wielder of the Sharnga bow (Vishnu)!

Salutations to the Goddess, the noble daughter of Sage Bhrigu! Salutations to Her who abides eternally upon the chest of Lord Vishnu! Salutations to Lakshmi who makes the lotus Her abode! Salutations to the beloved of Lord Damodara!

Whoever recites this Kanakadhara Stotram composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya at dawn, noon, and dusk daily attains wealth and abundance equal to Kubera, the treasurer of the gods.