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KANAKADHARASTAVAM (Srimat Sankara Bhagavat Pada)

Vande vandaru mandara mindirananda kandalam | Amandananda sandoha bandhuram sindhura nanam ||

Vandaru = Customary to announce one’s own Gotra Rsis before prostration at the feet of Dieties to ask for their benevolence; Mandaram = The with yielding tree (Kalpavrksa); Indira = The mother of the worlds; Ananda kandalam = The ever blissful Devi Parvati; Amandananda = With esteemed pleasure; Sandohabandhuram = Enveloped by the wondrous; Sindhurasanam = To the Elephant faced Genes’a; Vande = I Salute.

Srimat Sankaracarya prayed to Srimaha Ganapati the elephant faced one before addressing Gouri the form of the kalpavrksa who fulfills all the desires of her devotees. Ganesa pleasth Gouri with his fulfilent, over powering groups of his followers. Sankaracarya felt it fit to pray Ganapati at the beginning of Kanakadhara Stotra.

Angam hareh pulaka bhusana masrayanti       Bhrunga nganeva mukula Bjharanam tamalam
Angikruta khila vibhuti rapangalila          Mangalyada stumama mangala devatayah ||

Angam = In the body; Hareh = Belonging to Hari; Pulakabhusanam = The chill feeling as ornament; Asrayanti = Well attached (closetted); Bhrunganganeva = like the female locust; Mukula = folded buds; Abharanam = As ornament; Tamalam = Like the Kanguru tree; Angikrutakhila vibhutih = With the well known sumptuous and abundant wealth; Mangala devatayah = Belonging Sri Maha Lakshmi; Apangaleela = The enormous beauty through her askance; Mama = To me; Mangalyada stu = Let all auspicious things be descended.

OH! Maha Lakshmi kindly direct your benevolent looks towards me. Grant me all auspiciousness and every happiness to me. You are well seated on the chest of Sri Maha Visnu who is thrilled with Ananda like the female cater pillars attached to the black(Kamiga) tree looking as lightening flowering buds.

Mugdha muhurvidadhati vadane murareh |      Prematrapa prani hitani gata gatani |
Maladrusor madhu Kariva mahotpaleya |        Samesriyam disatusagara sambhavayah ||

Mahotpale = In the famous black lotus; Madhukariva = Resembling the caterpillor; Mugdha = Beautiful; Sagara Sambhavayah = born in milky ocean; Ya = which; Druso = Belonging to your looks; Mala = Straight in regular order; Muraareh = The foe of murasura i.e. Sri Maha Visnu; Vadane = Face; Prematra paprani hitani = Due to pride and shyness; Gata gatani = The ongoing and outgoing; Muhur = Again and again; Vidadhati = Making it; Sa = That pointing looks of Lakshmi Devi; Me = For me; Sriyam = Wealth; Disatu = May be granted.

Just as the caterpillar very ;much eager to stay on the black lotus, Lakshmi devi with her beautiful looks of her eyes is impatient to see her lover Visnu Murti. Lsri Maha Visnu too equally looks at her and at the very sight itself Lakshmi devi is moving with Lshyness. Let the looks of love of both Lakshmi Devi and Maha Visnu fall on me, purify me and grant all riches.

Visva marendra pada vibhrama dana daksha         Manandha hetu radhikam mura vidviso pi
Esannis idatu mayi kshana mikshan ardha          Mind ivarodara sahodara mindirayah ||

Visvamarendra pada = The entire empire belonging to Indra; Vibhrama = Elegance; Dana = In the name of charity; Daksham = Having capability; Muravidvisopi = The enemy of Murasura(Visnu); Adhikam = enhanced giety; Ananda hetuh = Brings pleasure; Indivarandara sahodaram = Equal to the inner part of black lotus; Indirayah = Pertains to Sree Maha Lakshmi; Eekshanardham = For her half opened looks benevolent (Askances); kshanam = For a while; Eesat = In a small measure; Nisudati = may be kept.

Sri Maha Visnu is capable of granting the entire empire comprising the three lokas (earth, astral and celestial worlds) to Devendra. I plead Lakshmi who gives happiness to Visnu and being equal to the inner part of the black lotus, keep her benevolent askances (looks) on me for a while.

Amilita ksha madhigamya muda mukunda          Mananda kanda manimesa mananga tantram | Akekarashita Kan inika pakshma Netram         Bhutyai bhavenma bhujanga sayanganayah ||

Amilitaksham = Half opened eyes; Anandakandam = Responsible for granting pleasure; Mukunda = Sri Maha Vishnu; Muda = With great pleasure; Adhigamya = Having possessed; Animesam = without closing the eye lids; Anangata tantram = Succumbed to the efforts of romance; Akekarasthita = half closed like; Kaninika = With such eye balls; Pakshma ; = Having such eye lids; Bhujanga nganayah = Taking rest on Adisesa Narayana, the lover of Mahalakshmi; Netram = Her looks; Mama = For my; bhutyai = For wealth; Bhavet = Let it be.

Having possessed with sensuous desire with half closed eyes, the beautiful, elegant visnu with all his love being enhanced and directed towards her, Rama devi Lakshmi having noticed it, with all Shyness shutting half of her eye lids looks at sesasayi Vishnu who is resting on Sesu(The great Snake). Let that looks of Sri Lakshmi grant me all health.

Kalambuda li lalito rasi kaitabhare          Rdharadhare sphuratiya tati dageneva
Matussa masta jagatam mahaniya murti         Rbhadrani me disatubhargava nandanayah ||

Kalambuda li = Nine groups ofblack clouds, Lalitorasi = on the beautifical chest, Kaitabhareh = The foe of Rakshasa khaitabhaie visnu; Spurati = Illumining; Dharadhare = In the cloud; Ya = The one Maha Lakshmi whose elegant looks; Samasta Jagatam = For all the worlds; Matu = Being mother; Bhargavanandanayah = The Daughter of Bhrugu Maha Lakshmi; Sa = Similar; Mahaniya murtih = The glamourous figure; Me = for me; Bhadrani = All auspicious things; Disatu = Let them be granted.

SriMaha Lakshmi with her beautiful askances looks like the electric spark of the clouds. Sri Maha Vishnu resembles the groups of black clouds. Let this mother of all the worlds, the daughter of Bhrugu Maharsi who is seated on the chest of Sri Maha Visnu, the most splendrous personality grant us all auspicious things.

Bahvantare murajitah srita kowstubheya         Haravaliva harinilamayi vibhati
Kamaprada bhagavato pi katakshamala          Kalyana mavahatu me-kamala layayah ||

Ya = The ever lasting continuous askances (endearing looks) of that Lakshmi Devi; Srita koustubhe = Having got the precious stone mani koustubha; Murajitah = Sri Maha Visnu who has emerged victoriously by conquering murasura the brother of Narakasura; Bahvantare = The space between the two broad shoulders i.e. on the chest; Hari Nilaya = fit to be studded in blue precious stones; Haravaliva = As theline of garlands; Vibhati = Looking like; Bhagavatopi = Also for Sri Maha Visnu; Kamaprada = grants desires; Kamalalaya = Lakshmi Devi having lotuses as her abode (House); Katakshamala = ever lasting continuous merciful looks; Me = For me; Kalyanam = Auspiciousness; Avahu = Let it happen.

OH! Maha Lakshmi your piercing looks are directed towards Sri Maha Visnu who is shinning brilliantly with his koustubha garland decended on his chest and though is ye who is responsible for the immense light emanating from the Indra Nila precious stones around his neck. Further the very looks of yours are fulfilling the desires of Sri Maha Visnu.

OH! Such endearing, benevolent looks of Sri Maha Lakshmi fall on me and grant me all auspicious celebrities.

Praptam padam prathamatah khalu yat prabhavat | Mangalya bhaji madhu madhini man madhena |
Mayya patetta diha mandhara miksha nardham         Mandalasam ca makar a laya kanya kayah ||

Prathamatah = First step in the creation of the world; Yatprabhavat = Which Maha Lakshmi’s powerful piercing looks; Mangalya bjhaji = Be got auspicious things; Madhumadhini = Visnu who killed the Rakshasa by name Madhu; Manmadhena = By the son of Visnu Kama Padam = State; Praptam = being possessed; Makaralaya Kanyakayah = Lakshmi the daughter of Samudra, the dwelling place of crocodiles; Mandalasam = Very thick; Mandharam = Mild; Tat = That; Eekshanardham = For slightly seeing; Eha = here; Mayi = In me; Apatet = May be fall.

Whose Maha Lakshmi’s powerful lasting looks influenced the celebrite Maha Visnu with the great desire to rule the entire creation such Maha Lakshmi’s mild and pleasing looks slowly fall on me.

        Dadya ddayanu pavano dravinambu dhara |         Masminna kincana vahanga sisow visanne |
         Duskarma gharma mapaniya ciraya ;duram |         Narayana pranayini nayanambu vahah ||

Daya nupavanah = Promoted by the air like benevolence; Narayana = Sri Maha Visnu; Pranayani = Beloved; Nayanan buvahah = eye named as cloud; Visanne = with great sorrow; Asmin = This; Akincina vihnga sisow = Like the poorcataka bird i.e. (the young one which has not developed wings); Ciraya = Being for a long tome; Duskarma gharma = The sin like that of sweat; Duram = To a distance; Apaniya = Driven away; Dravina mbhudharam = Wealth like continuous water fall; Dadyat = let it be rained.

When the wings less bird suffers due to intense heat, the cloud that comes in contact rains and subsides its heat and satisfies its thirst with the water. Like wise the benevolence of Lakshmi Devi is promoted by the air generated by the clouds and thus erasing my long standing sins like the subdued heat and let wealth be rained similar like the wingless bird who has been satisfied.

Esta visista matayo pi naraya yadrag         Drust a sthrivistapa padam sulabham bhajante |
         Drustih prahrsta kamalodara dipti ristam   Pustim krsista mama puskara vistarayah ||

Ista visista matayo pi = Inspite of the dislike in the mind to perform the pious yajnas that ensure heavenly abode; Narah = Humans; Yaya = Through which looks of Lakshmi Devi; Drak = Quickly; Trivista padam = The post of Devendra to rule the three worlds; Sulabham = Without any difficulty; Bhajante = Getting; Sa = Like that; Prahrstah = Perfectly flowered; Kamalodara diptih = Similar to the inner light emanating from the lower part of the lotus flowers; Puskara vistarayah = Ramadevi having lotus as her sear; Drustih = Her looks; Istam = Desirous of it; Pustim = wealth; Krusista = Let it be fall.

Humans inspite of their desire lessness to perform the sacred duties of yajnas, they are getting the impossible post of Devendra, the ruler of heaven when the merciful looks of Lakshmi Devi falls on them. Let the merciful looks of Sri Devi who possesses the colour of lotus flower and who is well seated on it grant me the wishful wealth desired by me.

Girdevatiti garuda dhwaja sundariti |         Sakambhariti sasisekhara vallabheti
Sristi stiti pralaya kelisu samsthtaya          Tasmai nama sthribhu vanaika gurostarunyai ||

Girdevateti = The authority of speech OH! Saraswati; Sakambariti Girdevateti = The incarnation of Lakshmi Devi, incharge of time (Kalasvarupini) Sakambari; Ya = Which Maha Lakshmi; Srusti, stiti, pralaya Kelisu = In the play of creation, protection and destruction; Sanstita = Incharge; Tribhu Vanaika guroh = The preceptor (Guru) of three worlds i.e., Sri Maha Visnu; Tarunyai = To bne loved Lakshmi Devi; Namah = Salutations.

In the name of Sarasvati the wife of Brahma; In the form of Lakshmi Devi the wife of Sri Narayana who protects the world; and as a kalarupini by name Sakambari incharge of time and as beloved parvati Devi Wife of Parameswara who is incharge of annihilation of the world, Salutations to such Sri Maha Lakshmi the queen of Visnu Murti the ruler of the three worlds.

         Srutyai Namo stusubhakarma phala prasutyai          Ratyai Namo stu Ramaniya gun a rnava yai
         Saktai Namo stu s’atapatra niketanayai         Pustyai Namo stu purusottama vallabhayai ||

Srutyai = possessing theform of Vedasie Maha Lakshmi; Subha karma prasutyai = The cause for the duties of pious yajnas and yagas responsible for Several benefits; Namostu = Verily! Salutations; Ramaniya = The most cherished; Gunarvayai = The oceans for all benevolent acts; Ratyai = The blissful Lakshmi Devi; Namostu = Let the salutations be hers; Satapatra Niketanayai = Having lotus as her seat and positioned in padmasana posture; Saktyai = Possessing sakti (the all powerful energy) as her form i.e. Maha Lakshmi; Purosottama Vallabhayai = The wife of Srimannarayana, the greatest among purusas (men); pustyai = the sumptuous Sri Devi; Nampstu = Let this namaskaras be hers.

Salutations to Maha Lakshmi, the very incarnation of Vedas who is responsible for the benefits of yagas, Salutations to Sri maha Lakshmi who is ocean with qualities of mercy and kindness and the most lovable one. Salutations to Sri Maha Lakshmi the replica of all powerful energy. Salutations to Sri Maha Lakshmi, the seat of Sumptuousness and wife of Sriman narayana.

         Namostu nalika nibhananayai         Namostu dugdho dadhi janma bhumyai
         Namostu soma mtrta sodarayai         Namostu narayana vallabhayai ||

Nalikanibha nanayai = Sri Devi having her face equal to that of lotus flower; Dugdhodhi = The milky ocean; janma bhumyai = Lakshmi Devi having it her birth place; Namostu = Let these salutations be verily hers; somamruta sodarayai = The sister of Candra and divine Nectre (Amruta); Namostu = Salutations to her; Narayana vallabhayai = To the queen of Sri Maha Visnu; To that Sri Maha Lakshmi; Namostu = Let my salutations be hers.

Salutations to Lakshmi Devi whohas her face similar to lotus; born together with Candra (Moon) and divine Nectre (Amrta) and the queen of Visnu.

          Namo stu hema mbuja pitthikayai         Namo stu bjhumandala nayikayai
         Namo stu devadidaya parayai         Namo stu saranga yudha vallabhayai ||

Hemambuja pitthikayai = Auspicious Devata giving Golden lotus as her seat; Namo stu = Salutations; Bhumandala Nayikayai = SriDevi the supreme diety and ruler of the whole universe; Namo stu = Salutations to you; Devadi parayai = RamaDevi the diety having mainly mercy towards Deva; Namo stu = Verily! Salutations to her; Saranga yudha vallabhayai = Sri Maha Lakshmi being beloved to Vaikunttah who carries the weapon saranga; Namo stu = Let my salutation go to her.

Being seated on the golden lotus throne, the presiding diety of the entire universe, possessing extreme mercy towards devas, the queen of sarangasura i.e., vaikunttah To such Sri Maha Lakshmi I offer my pranams.

         Namo stu devyai bhrugunandanayai         Namo stu visnorurasi sthitayai
         Namo stu lakshmyai kamala layayai         Namo stu Damodara vallabhayai ||

Bhrugunandanayai = To the daughter of Bhrugurusi; Devyai = To Sri Lakshmi Devi; Namo stu = I bow to her; Visnoh = Belonging to Visnu; Urasi = on the chest; stitayai = stationed Sri Devi; Namo stu = I salute; Kamala layayai = Having lotus as her abode; Lakshmai = The lady of wealth; Namo stu = Salutations; Damodara vallabhayai = Embeded vanamala in the stomach i.e., Srimannarayana whose wife is Lakshmi Devi; Namo stu = To her belongs my salutations.

The daughter of Bhrugu MahaRsi, the dweller on the chest of Vishnu, possessing lotus as her seat, the better half of Sri Maha Visnu To such Sri Devi I bow.

          Namo stu kanyai kamalekshanayai          Namo stu bhutyai bhuvana prasutyai
         Namo stu devadibhi rarcitayai         Namo stu nandatmaja vallabhayai ||

Kamalekshanayai = Hfaving lotus petelled like eyes; Kanyai = possessing illumination as her form; To such Sri Lakshmi Namo stu = My Salutations; Bhuvana prasutyai = The mother of all worlds; Bhutyai = Rama Devi the very replica of wealth; Namo stu = Salutations; Deva dibhih = By devas and others; Arcitayai = Being worshipped, To such Sri Devi; Namo stu = My prostrations; Nanda tmajayai = Rukmini Devi the beloved of Sri Krishna the son of Nandakumara the king of vrepalle; Namo stu = In deed my prostrations to her.

Whose eyes resembling the petals of lotuses, very brilliant with radiating form, the universal mother being worshipped by Devas and others, the most beloved to the preacher of Gita Sri Krisna. To the Sri Lakshmi I offer my pranamas.

         Sampatka rani sakalendirya nandanani         Samrajya da naniratani saroruhakshi
         Tvadvandanani durita paharonodyatani         Mamevamata ranisam kalayantumanye ||

Sampatkarani = Causing riches; Manye = Fit for worshipping; Saroruhakshi = Possessing eyes like lotuses; Sakalendriya nandanani = Makes all organs enjoyable; Samrajya = The post of an emperor; Dana = In giving; Niratani = Firm in her decision; Duritaharanodyatani = The offer of my prostrations to you; Anisam = At all times; Mameva = Me alone; Kalayantu = Let it make me purify.

Having eyes resempbling the petals of lotuses; being extolled by all the worlds OH! Mother the people who will serve you will obtain every pleasure and they will be absolved of all sins. Hence OB! Maha Lakshmi; I always prostrate your feet. Kindly purify me.

       Yatkataksha samupasana vidhih         Sevakasya sakalardha sampadah
         Santanoti vacana nga manasow         Stvam murari hrdayesvarim bhaje ||

Yat = Yhou are that; kataksha samupasana vidhih = Worshipping your merciful looks; Seva kasya = To devotee; Sakala rdha Sampadah = All things and entire riches; To devotee; Santanoti = Very nicely conferring; Tam = Like that; Murari hrdayesvarim = You are the wife of mara vairi i.e., Visnu; Tvam = yourself; vacana ngamanasaiah = By words, by deeds, by mind and heart; Bhaje = I am worshipping you.

OH! Lakshmi Devi when your merciful looks are directed towards your devotees they are enriched in several ways; Such of ye, I always worship with my words, deeds, mind and heart.

           Sarasija nayane | Saroja haste         Dhavala taramsuka gandhamalya sobhe |
         Bhagavati | Harivallabhe | Manojne |         Tribhuvana bhutikari | Prasida mahyam ||

Sarasijanayane = Having eyes resembling lotuses; Sarojahaste = Having lotus in the hands; Dhavala tarankusa gandha malya sobhe = with white clothes, with Sri Gandha frangrance and emitting light of flower garlands; Manojne = Possessing bewitching beauty; Tribhuvana bhutikai = Granting riches to all the three worlds, Bhagavati = Empowered to be fit to be worshipped, Hari vallabhe = Wife ofMaha Visnu; Mahyam = For my sake; Prasida = Be merciful.

Possessing lotus like eyes, having lotuses in the hands, Adorned with white clothes, SriGandha fragrance and with flower garlands, granter of riches toall the three worlds; OH! Damsel of the highest order! Vaisnavi! Have mercy on me and grant me all riches and wealth.

20.       Dighastibhih kanaka kumbha mukha varusta         Svarvahini vimala carujala plutangim
         Pratarnamami jagatam janani masesa          Lokadhi nadha gruhini mamrutabdhi putrm ||

Dighastibhih = By the eight sponsors who takes the weight of all the eight corners; Kanaka kumbha mukha vasrusta = Descended straight from face of the golden posts; Svarvahini = from the Ganga of heaven; Vimala = pure; Caru = Beautiful; jala = By water; Pluta = made wet; Angeem = Having the body; Jagatam = for the fourteen worlds; Jananim = Mother; Asesa lokadhinadha = Lord of all the worlds visnu; Gruhinim = House wife; Amrtabdhi putrim = The daughter of milky samudra i.e., Sridevi; Pratah = In the morning; Namam = I as saluting toyou.

The eight (elephants) who support the eight corners, bring Ganga water from heaven with golden pots and with trunks well lifted pour it as Abhiseka and as a result she has all the organs of the body well wet, the mother of all the worlds, the wife of Sri MahaVisnu the ruler of the three worlds, the daughter of the milky samudra. To such Sri Lakshmi I offer any salutations.

            Kamale! Kamalaksha vallabhe | tvam         Karunapura tarangitai rapamgai
         Avalokaya mama kincananam         Prathamam patra makrutrimam dayayah ||

Kamale = OH! Lakshmi Devi; Kamala kshavallabhe = Having lotus like eyes, the wife of Sri Maha Visnu; Pradhamam = The first person; Dayayah = For your benevolence; Akrtrimam patram = non deceitful one; Mam = Me; Karunapura = with your continuous stream of kindness; Tarangi taih = like the waves of your mercy; Apangaih = with your kind consideration; Avalokaya = Look at me;

OH! Maha Lakshmi who is endowed with lotus like eyes and the wife Sri Maha Visnu direct your looks on me. I am fit to be the first person for your mercy. I am not a deceitful person. Your benevolence flows like running waters with ocillating waves. Let your kind looks fall on me and make me wealthy.

            Stuvanti ye stutibhi ramubhi ranvaham          Trayi mayim tribhuvana mataram Ramam |
          Gunadhika gurutara bhagya bhajino          Bhavanti to bhuvi budha bhavita sayah ||

Ye = who ever; Anvaham = Every day; Tray imayim = The very Vedas as her form; Amibhihstutibhih = with these praises; Stuvanti = Applauding; te = They; Bhuvi = In this world of humans; Adhikah = with plenty of good qualities; Gurutarabhagya bhajinah = With abundant riches; Budha bhavita sayah = Being praised by the scholars as persons of great integrity and character; Bhavanti = They are reputed to be like wise.

Who ever worships Sri Maha Lakshmi the mother of the three worlds and the replica of Vedas daily with these praises of slokas, such devotees will be endowed with good qualities of character and will possess lot of wealth and also being applauded by scholars and worthy of reputation.

23.       Suvarna dhara stotramya         Cchankaracarya nirmitam
         Trisandyam yah patthe nityam         Sakubera samo bhavet ||

Yat = which; Suvarna dhara stotram = Kanakadhara stotram; Sankaracarya, nirmitam = Composed by Sankaracarya Bhagavad pada; Yah = who ever; Trisandhyah = Three times morning, afternoon and evening; pattehth = Recites; sah = Such devotee; Kubera samah = Equal to Kubera who presides the North side; Bhavet = Becomes.

Who ever recites this kanakadhara stotra composed by Bhagavadpada Sankaracarya three tomes i.e., morning, midday and in the evening will be equal to Kubera.

Om Shanti ! Shanti ! Shanti !

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