| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Author: | Adi Shankara |
| Language: | Sanskrit |
| Caption: | Painting depicting the legend of the Kanakadhara Stotra |
| Verses: | 22 |
| Kanakadhara Stotra | |
The Kanakadhara Stotra (sa|कनकधारा स्तोत्रम्|translit=Kanakadhārāstotram) is a Hindu hymn (stotram) composed in Sanskrit by the Hindu guru Adi Shankara.[1]
means "the stream of gold ", and the hymn is called by this name since legend has it that when Adi Shankara recited it, the goddess Lakshmi showered a stream of gold within the hut of his poor Brahmana benefactor.[2]
The hymn is attributed to Adi Shankara, a revered Hindu philosopher.
According to tradition, as a young boy, Adi Shankara was out seeking alms to prepare his lunch and happened upon the doorstep of a very poor Brahmana woman. Having nothing edible in her home, the lady frantically searched her house, only to find a single gooseberry fruit, which she then offered to Shankara. Shankara was so moved by the incredible selflessness of this woman that he burst forth into poetry and sang 22 stanzas in praise of the goddess Lakshmi. Pleased by the beauty of the hymn, the goddess instantly showered the lady's house with gooseberries made of pure gold.[3]
The first hymn of the Kanakadhara Stotra is as follows:[4]