Story behind KANAKADHARA STOTRAM

In those days, it was the practice for students to  collect alms from different houses for their daily meal. One day Sankara was on his rounds for Bhiksha. He reached the house of a poor lady.She was so poor, she was not having a proper dress and anything worth the name to give as biksha. Looking at the young boy, she felt sorry that there was nothing in her house to give him. But she did not want to send him away empty-handed. 

                 She could think only of a small amalaka fruit which was in the kitchen. She hesitated to give him such a worthless thing. But she liked the boy so much that she felt compelled to give him something. She brought the fruit from inside the house and gave it to the boy with all respect and love. Her devotion touched Sankara’s heart. He closed his eyes and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi. He composed a Stotra begging Her to shower Her grace on the poor lady. Lo! a miracle happened. In answer to Sankara’s prayer, Goddess Lakshmi poured golden amalaka fruits into her courtyard. 

                 Thus ended the poverty of the poor lady. The Stotra which Sankara composed in praise of Goddess Lakshmi is called “Kanakadhara Stotra”. It is a lovely poem which you can learn to chant.