This is a very auspicious strotram or the hymn of praise is offered to Goddess Laxmi. This Strotram is recited as ultimate praise to Goddess Laxmi. The Verses of the Kanakadhara Strotram has the descriptions of different “Guna” or Qualities of the Goddess.
She is called by different names, each name used in the Kanakadhara Strotram has a meaning as those names are given to her due to her qualities or the acts of victory directed towards the protection of all her children on earth.
Kanakadhara Strotram describes how she resides in the arms of the Lord Narayana, who is the nurturer of the Universe. The verses are devoted to describing her Love towards Lord Narayana.
The Verses of the Kanakadhara strotram lyrics in sanskrit have the praise of the Goddess who is one with the Shakti or the energy of the Lord of the Universe. She is also described as the most beautiful female form of Lord Narayan. She is the ideal form of femininity and even the Lord is attracted to love her. She resides in the heart of Murari or, Lord Narayan.
The Kanakadhara Strtram lyrics Sanskrit is generally not fully understood as the essence of the lyrics is not literal. Lord Laxmi is described as the symbol of all that is auspicious, attractive, good, loving, and beautiful to the senses. This evokes a sense of loving relationship between Narayana and Narayani which is often idealized in Hindu Religion.
In Sanatan Drama, the devotees idealize their beloved deities and often follow them as their ideal in relationships. So, often a beautiful loving couple is compared with Narayan and Narayani.
Kanakadhara Strotram
First Verse:
Anggam Hareh Pulaka-Bhuussannam-Aashrayantii
The Goddess resides on the body of Hari similar to beautiful ecstatic tingles or “Pulaka”.
Bhrngga-Angganeva Mukulaabharannam Tamaalam |
The state is compared to the black bees that cover the half-bloomed flowers of the ‘Tamala tree”.
Anggii-Krta-Akhila-Vibhuutir-Apaangga-Liilaa
She is the personification of all that is auspicious in the world and she showers blessings of opulence on the Universe by casting her peeking glance on them.
Maanggalya-Daastu Mama Manggala-Devataayaah ||1||
May that glance of the auspicious goddess bring all kinds of auspiciousness in my life.
Second Verse:
Mugdhaa Muhur-Vidadhatii Vadane Muraareh
My praises and Salutations to the Goddess who casts her glances at her beloved Murari (another name of Narayan).
Prema-Trapaa-Prannihitaani Gataagataani |
Her eyes would cast shy glances towards Hari ( another name of Narayan) in the expression of love and sometimes move away out of shyness.
Maalaa Drshor-Madhukariiva Mahotpale Yaa
The beautiful Glances resemble the visits of the female bees to meet a Mahatpala which is a large water Liliy in sanskrit.
Saa Me Shriyam Dishatu Saagara-Sambhavaayaah ||2||
May the Goddess who has come out from the ocean during Manthan or the great churnings cast her fortuitous glances on me.
Third Verse:
Vishva-Amarendra-Pada-Vibhrama-Daana-Dakssam_
The goddess is powerful and can easily enjoy the supremely powerful position of all three Lokas
Aananda-Hetur-Adhikam Mura-Vidvissopi |
The Goddess who merrily destroys the perils of the Vishnu
Iissan-Nissiidatu Mayi Kssannam-Iikssanna-Ardham_
May the Goddess cast a short Merciful glance
Indiivarodara-Sahodaram-Indiraayaah ||3||
Her eyes are as beautiful as the blue lotuses.
Fourth Verse:
Aamiilita-Akssam-Adhigamya Mudaa Mukundam_
The Goddess in her eyes, has captured “Mukunda” or Narayana.
Aananda-Kandam-Animessam-Anangga-Tantram |
The eyes are at present showering love and care
Aakekara-Sthita-Kaniinika-Pakssma-Netram
May the beautiful glance from the corner of eyes of
Bhuutyai Bhaven-Mama Bhujangga-Shaya-Angganaayaah ||4||
the companion or of the Lord residing on the Serpent (Lord Narayan).
Fifth Verse:
BaahvAntare Madhu-Jitah Shrita-Kaustubhe Yaa
The Goddess resides in the arms of the Lord who had destroyed the Mahasur named “Madhu”
Haaraavali-Iva Hariniilamayii Vibhaati |
She who shines like Yellow-blue Strands of pearls.
Kaama-Pradaa Bhagavatopi Kattaakssa-Maalaa
The glances of Maa Laxmi, who evokes love in the heart of the Lord Narayan
Kalyaannam-Aavahatu Me Kamalaalayaayaah ||5||
The goddess may cast her side glances from her lotus -eyes.
Sixth Verse:
Kaala-Ambu-Da-Ali-Lalitorasi Kaittabha-Arer_
The Goddess who resides on the chest of Lord Narayan who is a dark intense cloud.
Dhaaraadhare Sphurati Yaa Taddid-Angganeva
Mother you are like the lightening amidst a dark sky
Maatuh Samasta-Jagataam Mahaniiya-Muurtir_
The Goddess has a form that is most beautiful in the Universe.
Bhadraanni Me Dishatu Bhaargava-Nandanaayaah ||6||
May the goddess bless me with her auspicious glance.
Seventh Verse:
Praaptam Padam Prathamatah Kila Yat-Prabhaavaan
By your effect, one could ever get the blessings and reside on the feet of Hari
Maanggalya-Bhaaji Madhu-Maathini Manmathena |
The Destroyer of Madhu could bless the Manmatha
Mayyaa-Patet-Tad-Iha Mantharam-Iikssanna-Ardham
May blessings of her half closed beautiful eyes fall on me
Manda-Alasam Ca Makaraalaya-Kanyakaayaah ||7||
Let the blessings of the goddess of the ocean fall on me.
Eighth Verse:
Dadyaad Daya-Anupavano Dravinna-Ambu-Dhaaraam_
May the rain and wind of the mercy of the Goddess cast on me
Asminn-Akin.cana-Vihangga-Shishau Vissannnne |
I am fallen, poor like a helpless baby bird.
Dusskarma-Gharmam-Apaniiya Ciraaya Duuram
Take away all the heat of the dark and of the insidious.
Naaraayanna-Prannayinii-Nayana-Ambu-Vaahah ||8||
Please shower and wind of the blessings of the dearest of Narayan be cast on me.
Ninth Verse:
Issttaa Vishisstta-Mata-Yopi Yayaa Dayaardra_
The desires that are next to impossible can also be obtained by the virtue of that glance.
Drssttyaa Trivissttapa-Padam Sulabham Labhante |
The most powerful position among the residents of heaven is obtained by the merciful glance.
Drssttih Prahrsstta-Kamalodara-Diipti-Rissttaam
The goddess has a glance resembling a blooming lotus.
Pussttim Krssiisstta Mama Pusskara-Vissttaraayaah ||9||
The merciful glance of the Goddess residing on a lotus fulfills all my wishes.
Tenth Verse:
Giir-Devateti Garudda-Dhvaja-Sundariiti
The beautiful goddess is sometimes called as the Goddess of speech who is the beloved of Narayan
Shaakambhariiti Shashi-Shekhara-Vallabheti |
She is one with the Shashishekhara Vallabha, or the beloved of Shiva.
Srsstti-Sthiti-Pralaya-Kelissu Samsthitaayai
She alone tolerates the power of creation-maintenance of the creation and destruction of the same.
Tasyai Namas-Tri-Bhuvanaika-Guros-Tarunnyai ||10||
The three worlds offer salutations to the Young companion of the Supreme MEntor of the three worlds.
Eleventh Verse:
Shrutyai Namostu Shubha-Karma-Phala-Prasuutyai
You are the vedas (shruti) and you create the reflection of the vedas in the lives of the human beings.
Ratyai Namostu Ramanniiya-Gunna-Arnnavaayai |
I salute you “rati” as you are the only one with all positive qualities.
Shaktyai Namostu Shata-Patra-Niketanaayai
Accept my salutations “shakti” as you are the lotus flower of hundreds of petals, symbol of kulakundalini.
Pussttyai Namostu Purussottama-Vallabhaayai ||11||
Accept my salutations the nourisher and the beloved of te lord Narayana (Purushattama).
Twelfth Verse:
Namostu Naaliika-Nibhaananaayai
Accept my salutations o goddess whose face is like a lotus!
Namostu Dugdhodadhi-Janma-Bhuutyai |
Accept my salutations O goddess who took birth from the ocean of thick sweet milk.
Namostu Soma-Amrta-Sodaraayai
Accept my salutations as you live in the sweetness of the moon.
Namostu Naaraayanna-Vallabhaayai ||12||
Accept my salutations the goddess beloved of Narayana!
Thirteenth Verse:
Sampat-Karaanni Sakalendriya-Nandanaani
Narayani O Goddess you are the only reason for the feeling of happiness of all senses.
Saamraajya-Daana-Vibhavaani Saroruha-Akssi |
Those beautiful eyes resemble a lotus and conquer the Kingdoms.
Tvad-Vandanaani Duritaa-Harannodyataani
You are the only one who can banish the tendencies to do all sinful activities.
Maam-Eva Maatar-Anisham Kalayantu Maanye ||13||
Accept me as I sing your praises and serve you always.
Fourteenth Verse:
Yat-Kattaakssa-Samupaasanaa-Vidhih
O your merciful glance! So pretty and
Sevakasya Sakala-Artha-Sampadah |
Gives all the glories to your devotees
Samtanoti Vacana-Angga-Maanasais_
Let the mind, the speech and the body be covered by the mercy of the
Tvaam Muraari-Hrdayeshvariim Bhaje ||14||
I worship Goddess residing in the heart of Narayana.
Fifteen Verse:
Sarasija-Nilaye Saroja-Haste
You sit on the blossomed lotus and hold similar lotuses in your hands.
Dhavalatama-Amshuka-Gandha-Maalya-Shobhe |
The fragrant flowers make her garlands and bright white metal ornaments.
Bhagavati Hari-Vallabhe Manojnye
You are the most beloved of the Narayana
Tri-Bhuvana-Bhuuti-Kari Prasiida Mahyam ||15||
The riches of three worlds are at your feet, please be pleased by my words.
Sixteenth Verse:
Dighastibhih Kanaka-Kumbha-Mukha-Avasrsstta
The Goddess bathes in the water coming from the golden pots by the elephants that signify the different directions.
Svar-Vaahinii-Vimala-Caaru-Jala-Pluta-Anggiim |
While she bathes in the auspicious waters from heaven she appears to be shining bright.
Praatar-Namaami Jagataam Jananiim-Ashessa
You are the mother of the creation, accept my morning salutation.
Loka-Adhinaatha-Grhinniim-Amrta-Abdhi-Putriim ||16||
You are the beloved of Lord Narayana and born from the sweet milk ocean.
Seventeenth Verse:
Kamale Kamala-Akssa-Vallabhe
O lotus-eyed goddess, the dearest of the Narayana!
Tvam Karunnaa-Puura-Taranggitair-Apaanggaih |
Look at me with mercy
Avalokaya Maam-Akin.canaanaam
Look at me as I am poorest of the poor
Prathamam Paatram-Akrtrimam Dayaayaah ||17||
I must get your merciful attention.
Eighteenth Verse:
Stuvanti Ye Stutibhir-Amuubhir-Anvaham
The devotee who listens or recites the praises every day
Trayiimayiim Tri-Bhuvana-Maataram Ramaam |
The praises of Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of the three worlds, and the goddess of vedas.
Gunna-Adhikaa Gurutara-Bhaagya-Bhaagino
The goddess will provide all virtues to the person . Even if the person is the poorest of the poor
Bhavanti Te Bhuvi Budha-Bhaavitaa-Shayaah ||18||
The Goddess will give the fallen the unattainable wisdom and enlightenment and make him wise.
