Kanakadhara Stotram is a hymn that Adi Sankara recited and Goddess Lakshmi created a shower of golden fruits for him.

Legend

During his Brahmacari Bhikshatana, Adi Sankaracarya once visited the house of a poor Brahmin lady. Her husband had gone to the village for Bhiksha. There was nothing available in the house to offer to her guest. She was very upset that she could not offer him anything. She earnestly searched for something to be given in her house. Finally, she found an Amla fruit, and offered it with humility.  Adi Sankaracarya was very much moved at the sight of the poverty, stricken woman and immediately in an extempore way started imploring Goddess Lakshmi to be merciful towards this poor Brahmin lady to drive away her poverty. He recited twenty two slokas in praise of Goddess Lakshmi Who was very much pleased and appeared (Satkshathkara) before Sankaracarya and asked for his cause and all of prayer. Sankaracarya pleaded her to grant riches to the Brahmin lady.

Goddess Lakshmi said that this Brahmin lady did not qualify to get any riches in this life as she did not to do any charities in her previous life and carry consideration and she deserves sufferance and justified her stand of not conferring any wealth on her. Sankaracarya said that this act of hers alone would justify his choice of showering riches upon her. Hearing this, Goddess Lakshmi was moved and was immensely pleased and gave a rain of amla fruits.

Thus the stotra of Sankaracarya towards Goddess Lakshmi was sacred, famous and popular known as Kanakadhara Stotra. Bhagavatpada Sankaracarya’s Kanakadhara Stotra also called by him as Surarnadhara Stotra studded with Anugraha Bijakshar as aiming at Sri Lakshmi.

Best days to chant (if you are unable to chant daily)

Fridays and/or Full Moon Days

Best day for initiating this mantra

Full Moon Day (Purnima / Pournami thithi)

Best time to chant

6.00 a.m. – 7.00 a.m and / or 6.00 p.m. – 7.00 p.m.

Number of times to chant

1, 3, or 9 times

Who can chant this mantra

Anyone regardless of their gender and age

How to worship

You can either use the photo or yantra of Goddess Lakshmi

To attain mantra siddhi

108 times for 3 mandala ; 1 mandala is about 45 days to 48 days depending on the Moon’s movement

Naivedya (food offerings)

Sweet Pongal, Laddu, Candies, and other sweet food

Flowers

Pink lotus, Champa, or any fragrant flowers can be offered

Chant this mantra facing

North

Japa Mala

One can use Tulasi japa mala or rosary beads made out of citrine or yellow topaz

Benefits

This stotra is chanted in order to beget the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi (to beget wealth, fortunes, and to be granted boons as well as to alleviate misfortunes, suffering, and poverty.

To read the stotra with meaning click here