According to legend, Adi Shankaracharya, as a young boy, went door-to-door for alms (bhiksha). At one house, a poor woman could only offer a single dried gooseberry (amla). Moved by her poverty but immense generosity, Shankara instantly composed 21 verses in praise of Goddess Lakshmi. Pleased with his devotion, the Goddess appeared and showered golden gooseberries (or golden light) upon the poor woman’s house, banishing her poverty forever.

(Note: The above is the standard Sanskrit in Odia script. For all 21 verses, devotees are encouraged to refer to a complete Odia prayer book.)

ଅଙ୍ଗଂ ହରେଃ ପୁଲକମାଙ୍ଗମଲୀନଗାତ୍ରା ବେଣୀମୃଗେକ୍ଷଣା କୁଚୋରଭୁବନା ଦଧାନା । ହୀରାମୟୀଂ ମହିମଳଂ ବହୁଳାଂ ତନୋତୁ ତ୍ରୈଲୋକ୍ୟରକ୍ଷଣକଳାଞ୍ଚି ଦବୀୟସୀ ନଃ ॥