Adi Shankaracharya was born to a pious couple named Sivaguru and Aryambal in Kaladi, Kerala. They named him Shankara, the one who is born with God Shiva’s grace.
As Shankara grew up, he attraced everybody with his intelligence and kindness. At the age of three, he was given "Aksharabyas", i.e., the learning of writing and reading. At the age of five, he was initiated in Brahmacharyam that is, the holy thread ceremony was conducted and he was sent to Gurukul for learning of scriptures. As per the practice, the brahmachari has to go from house to house and take alms and submit this to his guru.
On a Dwadasi day Shankara happened to go to the house of a very poor lady and asked for alms. The lady did not have a single grain of rice in her house to give. However she had kept a single Amla fruit (Gooseberry) for herself, as it was a Dwadasi day. She unhesitatingly gave this Amla fruit to Shankara, as she could not send a Brahmachari empty handed.
Shankara was moved by her selflessness and the poverty of the lady and prayed to Goddess Lakshmi and composed a beautiful 21 versed stotram or hymn which is called "Kanaka Dhara stotram”, Kanaka means Gold and Dhara means a steady flow. On completion of this stotram, Goddess Lakshmi appeared in person and showered a rain of golden Gooseberries on the poor lady's house.
Hara Hara Mahadeva Shambho Shankara 🙏🏻