Guru – The changer of destiny

God heard her prayers, and she found a small amla fruit which had rolled away into a corner and lay hidden on the ground in her backyard. Quickly she picked up the fruit, washed it and rushed out to the young lad. Her steps faltered as she neared the door. What could he do – what could anyone do with a tiny amla fruit? And yet that was all she had to offer him. She checked her flowing tears and gently dropped the fruit into Shankara’s bowl, too ashamed to look up at him.

At one glance, Shankara realised her condition. His tender heart was filled with affection and pity for the poor lady who had offered him, literally, all that she had at home. Spontaneously he called upon Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity, to shower her grace and wealth on the poverty-stricken family. Thus was composed the beautiful Kanaka Dhara Stotra – born out of compassion.

It is said that Goddess Lakshmi actually appeared before Shankara to tell him that the woman’s poverty was the fruit of her previous birth’s karma and that this could not be changed or interfered with. But Shankara pointed out to the Goddess that the pure and selfless gesture in offering the fruit was sufficient for her to merit wealth in this birth.

Goddess Lakshmi was both moved and delighted by Shankara’s fervent pleas on behalf of the poor woman. She sent a veritable shower of golden amla fruits in the poor woman’s courtyard, changing her life forever.