Kanagadhara Stotram is a popular hymn, written by Sri Adhi Sankaracharya, praising Goddess Lakshmi. The stotram consists of 21 hymns, praising the goddess. The background, structure, and significance of reciting the stotra are discussed in this blog.

LEGEND BEHIND THE STOTRA

One day, as a young boy, Adhi Sankaracharya went to take Bhiksha to prepare his food. He came across a hut and asked the woman in the house Bhiksha (food). In those days, not offering food to a Brahmin, who comes to beg you, was considered to be unethical. So, the lady was upset because there was nothing edible in the house.

After searching her house thoroughly, she could find only one gooseberry fruit. She hesitantly offered it to Sankara. Sankara, on seeing the plight of the woman, wanted to help her back. So he sang twenty-one hymns praising the supreme mother. As a result, Sri Lakshmi appeared before him. He asked the Goddess to grant riches to the poor woman.

The Goddess initially refused to grant her riches, as it was the woman’s karma that made her poor. Sankara convinced her by saying that she is the supreme power to decide on one’s fate. Then convinced Sri Lakshmi showered the lady’s house with pure gold.

HOW TO CHANT THE MANTRA?

There are no specific rules to chant the mantra. Kanagadhara stotram is easier to learn by anyone. If one listens to the mantra with concentration, keeping a copy of the sloga to read, it might take not more than a week to grasp the tone of the stotra. The devotee needs just the following two, to chant the mantra.

• Clean mind (Antha Soucham),
• Clean body, clean place and clean clothes (Baahya Soucham).
• The best time to chant the sloka is suggested to be early morning, after a bath.
• Using pink flowers to worship the goddess, while chanting the stotra, is appreciable.
• The stotra is short that it does not take more than 10-15 minutes to chant them.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STOTRA

• Like all the slokas, Kangadhara stotram helps you to have a peaceful life.

• The stotra is specifically recited to attain wealth and prosperity in one’s life.

• The stotra is said to provide also health benefits to those who chant them.