On the occasion of #Dhanteras, a thread on the Kanakadhara Stotram composed by Adi Sankara.
But, why does Sankara compose the Kanakadhara Stotram? Thatโs an interesting story.
But, why does Sankara compose the Kanakadhara Stotram? Thatโs an interesting story.
One morning, the young Brahmachari Sankara goes around seeking alms.
In his path, he sees a dilapidated house, its roof caved in. Despite this, the door appears open.
So, Sankara walks towards the house.
In his path, he sees a dilapidated house, its roof caved in. Despite this, the door appears open.
So, Sankara walks towards the house.
He arrives at the entrance and in his ringing voice deep in humility, speaks, โBhavati Bhikshaan Dehiโ
There is no response. Sankara calls again.
No response.
From where he stands, Sankara sees no activity inside the household.
But insideโฆ
There is no response. Sankara calls again.
No response.
From where he stands, Sankara sees no activity inside the household.
But insideโฆ
Deep inside the bowels of the house, crouched next to the cold stove is a woman.
She looks at the empty utensils in front of her. The last of the broken rice is gone.
She looks at the birds that picked on what was left of it yesterday. To her, their beady eyes appear longing.
She looks at the empty utensils in front of her. The last of the broken rice is gone.
She looks at the birds that picked on what was left of it yesterday. To her, their beady eyes appear longing.
โJust a little while longer. He has gone to borrow some rice from the merchant. Once he returns, I will feed you.โ she murmurs.
Her eyes dart towards the noise from the street. She stands up, eager to see her husband return.
Her eyes dart towards the noise from the street. She stands up, eager to see her husband return.
But, from the street comes the call for alms. โBhavati Bhikshaan Dehi.โ
She takes hesitant steps towards the door, cowers behind it holding her breath, hoping the caller would go away.
She takes hesitant steps towards the door, cowers behind it holding her breath, hoping the caller would go away.
The call repeats. She peeks outside, hiding the rest of her behind the door.
She sees a young boy, with a face as brilliant as the morning sun, call with a voice that pierces through the doldrums of her house.
She sees a young boy, with a face as brilliant as the morning sun, call with a voice that pierces through the doldrums of her house.
โBhavati Bhikshaan Dehi.โ
โWhat do I do? Is it not adharma to turn away a brahmachari seeking alms?
If my husband had brought back even 1 grain of rice,I would have given it. What can I give him now?
How can I refuse him? Why have the Gods placed me in such a quandary?โ
โWhat do I do? Is it not adharma to turn away a brahmachari seeking alms?
If my husband had brought back even 1 grain of rice,I would have given it. What can I give him now?
How can I refuse him? Why have the Gods placed me in such a quandary?โ
Her frustration freezes as she suddenly recalls something
โThe Amlakaโ
A few days ago, the dying tree in her courtyard had sprouted a gooseberry. She had kept it aside to nibble, once she had some rice.
โThe Amlakaโ
A few days ago, the dying tree in her courtyard had sprouted a gooseberry. She had kept it aside to nibble, once she had some rice.
She took it out from the corner of her kitchen. It had shrivelled a bit, but was still edible.
She rushed out as the brahmachari began again
โBhavati Bhikshaanโฆโ
โHere, here!โ she interrupted him
โHave this" she dropped it into his bowl and watched it spiral down to the center
She rushed out as the brahmachari began again
โBhavati Bhikshaanโฆโ
โHere, here!โ she interrupted him
โHave this" she dropped it into his bowl and watched it spiral down to the center
"I know itโs not much, butโฆโ she pleaded.
Sankara looked down at his bowl. He looked at her feet and offered thanks. He looked behind her at the crumbling house.
From within the boy, flowed a wave of verses dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
Sankara looked down at his bowl. He looked at her feet and offered thanks. He looked behind her at the crumbling house.
From within the boy, flowed a wave of verses dedicated to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.
โO Mangala Devata, the Goddess of Auspiciousness!
Youโre that part of Hari which brings delight, like bees bring joy to the half-open flowers of the Tamala tree, decorating them with their buzz."+
Youโre that part of Hari which brings delight, like bees bring joy to the half-open flowers of the Tamala tree, decorating them with their buzz."+
"You carry the opulence of the Universe within You, through your Apanga Leela. Please shine that glance of auspiciousness upon meโ,
says Sankara standing outside the house that is the personification of destitution.
says Sankara standing outside the house that is the personification of destitution.
In his mind, Sankara sees Lakshmi and Hari together
He sings, "Charmed by Hari, She directs Her loving glances towards Hari. He returns those glances with the same complete love.
Their glances going back and forth are like bees flying incessantly around a large water lily"+
He sings, "Charmed by Hari, She directs Her loving glances towards Hari. He returns those glances with the same complete love.
Their glances going back and forth are like bees flying incessantly around a large water lily"+
+Sankara requests that Lakshmi, direct those glances that bring Sriyam (good fortune) upon him.
After all, Lakshmi is Sri. So, She alone can bestow Sriyam.
In his verse, Sankara addresses Lakshmi as She who rose out of the ocean (Samudra Manthan of the Kshira Sagara)
After all, Lakshmi is Sri. So, She alone can bestow Sriyam.
In his verse, Sankara addresses Lakshmi as She who rose out of the ocean (Samudra Manthan of the Kshira Sagara)
"You are capable of granting the position of Devendra with a mere wish,
You fill Murari with joy with Your glances,
Even a moment's glance, even with those eyes only half-open would be a blessing,
Would You turn those beautiful blue-lotus-like eyes towards me?"
You fill Murari with joy with Your glances,
Even a moment's glance, even with those eyes only half-open would be a blessing,
Would You turn those beautiful blue-lotus-like eyes towards me?"
Sankara seeks a moment's glance from half-open eyes. Then moves to say that
Lakshmi's unwinking (animesha) eyes when fully open, have captured the joy of Mukunda and are showering upon Him the Tantra of Ananga (Kamadeva).
+
Lakshmi's unwinking (animesha) eyes when fully open, have captured the joy of Mukunda and are showering upon Him the Tantra of Ananga (Kamadeva).
+
"May a glance grow wings from those eyes of She who is part of the one who reclines on a snake, and find its way to me"
Look at the musicality of the phrase, เคญเฅเคเคเฅเคเคถเคฏเคพเคเฅเคเคจเคพเคฏเคพเค The bhujanga (snake) is brought in to rhyme with anga.
Look at the musicality of the phrase, เคญเฅเคเคเฅเคเคถเคฏเคพเคเฅเคเคจเคพเคฏเคพเค The bhujanga (snake) is brought in to rhyme with anga.
Hari may be on a snake, but where is Lakshmi?
Sankara says She resides in the space between His arms (bahvantare), right next to the Kaustubha Mani that adorns His chest.
Sankara says She resides in the space between His arms (bahvantare), right next to the Kaustubha Mani that adorns His chest.
Here, Sankara describes a shining Haara, a necklace of green-blue stones.
But more beautiful than that is the kataaksha maala, the garland of Her glances, which inspire love in Bhagavan.
He seeks that the Kamalaalaya, the one residing in a lotus, turn a glance his way.
But more beautiful than that is the kataaksha maala, the garland of Her glances, which inspire love in Bhagavan.
He seeks that the Kamalaalaya, the one residing in a lotus, turn a glance his way.
"You are the shining bee and the bright lightning that flashes across the dark cloud-like bosom of the enemy of Kaitabha (Vishnu).
Matey, the daughter of Bhrigu,
Your form is the most glorious in this Jagat. Bestow that upon me."
Matey, the daughter of Bhrigu,
Your form is the most glorious in this Jagat. Bestow that upon me."
"It is through You that even Manmatha first acquired a place with the slayer of Madhu.
That Vishnu, by being with You, is always with the one who bestows happiness.
Cast the soft, gentle glance of Your half-open eyes upon me, dear Daughter of the Ocean"
That Vishnu, by being with You, is always with the one who bestows happiness.
Cast the soft, gentle glance of Your half-open eyes upon me, dear Daughter of the Ocean"
"May Your mercy reach me at the speed of wind and Your blessings of wealth be showered upon this destitute who is as helpless as the chick (nestling) of a bird
Take far from me the heat of my Dushkarma and shower the mercy of Your kind eyes, O beloved of Narayana!"
Take far from me the heat of my Dushkarma and shower the mercy of Your kind eyes, O beloved of Narayana!"
Sankara says that with the merciful glance of Lakshmi, wishes, special desires, even that of a place in Heaven may be attained.
"Her glance is like the splendour of a lotus in full bloom
May that merciful glance of the one seated on a lotus, nourish me"
"Her glance is like the splendour of a lotus in full bloom
May that merciful glance of the one seated on a lotus, nourish me"
Sankara addresses Lakshmi as the beautiful consort of the Garudadhvaja (the one with the flag of Garuda).
He then invokes the other two Devis in Her.
He calls Her as "Gir Devata", the Goddess of speech.
He calls Her as the beloved of the one with the moon on His head (Siva)
He then invokes the other two Devis in Her.
He calls Her as "Gir Devata", the Goddess of speech.
He calls Her as the beloved of the one with the moon on His head (Siva)
"You are the Shakambhari, the one who sustains vegetation and all life.
You are established throughout the Srishti, Sthiti and Pralaya.
You are the consort of the Guru of the worlds, the three worlds offer their prayers to You."
You are established throughout the Srishti, Sthiti and Pralaya.
You are the consort of the Guru of the worlds, the three worlds offer their prayers to You."
Sankara addresses Lakshmi as the Sruti, and the fruit of good action in line with Sruti.
"You are Rati, and the ocean of virtue, You are Sakti, who resides amidst the 100 petalled lotus,
You are the nourishment of the Universe and the beloved of Purushottama"
"You are Rati, and the ocean of virtue, You are Sakti, who resides amidst the 100 petalled lotus,
You are the nourishment of the Universe and the beloved of Purushottama"
"Salutations to You with a face like a lotus in bloom,
Salutations to You born from the ocean of milk,
Salutations to You, the sister of Soma and Amruta (as they all emerge together from Samudra Manthan, as does Dhanvantri)
Salutations to the beloved of Narayana"
Salutations to You born from the ocean of milk,
Salutations to You, the sister of Soma and Amruta (as they all emerge together from Samudra Manthan, as does Dhanvantri)
Salutations to the beloved of Narayana"
"You are the bringer of prosperity, and joy to all Indriyas,
Your glance can bestow great kingdoms upon us,
Worshipping You removes rapidly the obstacles
Maatey, May I always be blessed to sing Your glory"
Your glance can bestow great kingdoms upon us,
Worshipping You removes rapidly the obstacles
Maatey, May I always be blessed to sing Your glory"
"Worship of Your glance bestows wealth and prosperity,
So, may my words, limbs and mind be immersed in worship of You who is the beloved Goddess of the heart of Murari (Vishnu)"
So, may my words, limbs and mind be immersed in worship of You who is the beloved Goddess of the heart of Murari (Vishnu)"
"You are the one residing in the middle of a lotus,
You hold a lotus in Your hands,
Attired in white garments and graced by the most fragrant garlands"
You hold a lotus in Your hands,
Attired in white garments and graced by the most fragrant garlands"
"O Bhagavati, You're the beloved of Hari, and the Queen of the Mind,
You're the cause of prosperity to the 3 worlds,
May You be gracious to me"
You're the cause of prosperity to the 3 worlds,
May You be gracious to me"
"The elephants of the directions shower waters from golden pots upon Your eminent presence,
Those pristine waters, wash You, an acquire a bright shine reflecting the light of the morning sun,
In that morning hour, I worship You, the mother of this eternal Universe,"+
Those pristine waters, wash You, an acquire a bright shine reflecting the light of the morning sun,
In that morning hour, I worship You, the mother of this eternal Universe,"+
+"I worship You, the Grihini of the Lord of the Universe and the daughter of the Ocean of Nectar"
"O Kamala, You're beloved of the one with lotus eyes (Pundarikaaksha - Vishnu),
Your eyes radiate waves of compassion,
Look at me, I am the most destitute,
Am I not the most deserving of a glance of those compassionate eyes?"
Your eyes radiate waves of compassion,
Look at me, I am the most destitute,
Am I not the most deserving of a glance of those compassionate eyes?"
Sankara concludes with the Phala Sruti.
"You, Ramaa, the one of the three Vedas and mother to the three worlds,
Those that worship You with this hymn every day,
May they be blessed with all virtue,
And an awakening of their wisdom."
"You, Ramaa, the one of the three Vedas and mother to the three worlds,
Those that worship You with this hymn every day,
May they be blessed with all virtue,
And an awakening of their wisdom."
Sankara begins chanting the Kanakadhara Stotram, upon receiving the small gooseberry from the woman.
As he chants this prayer to Ma Lakshmi, She appears and extends Her hand in blessing.
A stream of gold gooseberries flow from Her hand towards Sankara and the woman.
As he chants this prayer to Ma Lakshmi, She appears and extends Her hand in blessing.
A stream of gold gooseberries flow from Her hand towards Sankara and the woman.
As @SravanAnirudh says, MS Subbalakshmi's rendition transports us to the house in Kalady where Sankara chanted the Kanakadhara Stotram.
Linking the rendition in the next tweet.
Linking the rendition in the next tweet.
Loading suggestions...