Morning prayer to Kanaka Lakshmi
Translated by P. R. Ramachander
Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth. Adi Sankara as a boy addressed her in this form to bless a poor Brahmin widow with wealth. “Kanaka” means Gold,
Angam hare pulaka bhooshanamasrayanthi, Bhringanga neva mukulabharanam thamalam, Angikrithakhila vibhuthirapanga leela, Mangalyadasthu mama mangala devathaya.
To the Hari who wears supreme happiness as Ornament,
The Goddess Lakshmi is attracted,
Like the black bees getting attracted,
To the unopened buds of black Tamala tree,
Let her who is the Goddess of all good things,
Grant me a glance that will bring prosperity.