Kubera: The God of Wealth & Treasure

Hindu Mythology regards Kubera as the god of wealth and the treasurer of Lord Vishnu and Lakshmi. Kubera in Ramayana is depicted as the elder step brother of Ravana and was outcast from his kingdom of Lanka by Ravana. Kubera is regarded as the regent of the North (Dikpalas), and a protector of the world (Lokpala) and is the husband to Kuberi. Kubera is a true representation of wealth, prosperity and glory who not only distributes, but also maintains and guards all the treasures of this universe. According to Purana, Kubera was a Yaksha. He had a ugly and stout body, so he was always ignored by people and because of this, he was ever unhappy. He wanted to have name, fame and recognition. So, Kubera started a rigorous penance for Shiva. After few years of penance, Shiva pleased with Kubera gives Darshan to him. Shiva says “ Hey Kubera, I'm happy with your penance.

What's your wish ?”. Kubera says “ Hey Mahadev ! You can see that, I'm not happy with my physical appearance and because of this, people hate and ignore me”. Shiva says “ why are you giving importance to physical body, your heart must be pure “ . Kubera says “ I want name and fame, and that is possible only if have lot of wealth. Everyone is a slave to wealth, and I want to be so wealthy that I should command anyone's wealth and prosperity. Then, people will give me respect “. Shiva says “ Ok. I will give you immense wealth, and make you Dhanapati, God of Wealth.”

Kubera popularly known as the god of wealth was the chief of the Yakshas and the Guhyakas. A benefic deity, he resided in Alaka or Vasudhara and had the Kinnaras serving him. He was the half brother of Ravana. It is said that he performed austerities for thousand of years and obtained a boon from Brahma that he would be immortal. He was one of the guardian deities of the world and the god of wealth. His vehicle was a self propelled aerial car called Pushpaka. His wife was Yakshi. He is represented as a white man, deformed in body, having three legs and eight teeth. He is monstrous, lazy and slow in movement. His body is covered with ornaments and he does not receive any worship. The name of Kubera, a variant of Kutanu implies ‘vile body', referring to his ugliness. Synonyms : Dhanapati, Iccha vasu, Yaksha Raja, Mayuraja, Ratna Garbha.

Kubera is known as the Lord of wealth and the king of Yakshas (semi-divine species). Kubera once ruled over Lanka and was later overthrown by his demon half-brother Ravana. He lived in the city of Alaka Puri in a magnificent palace with majestic courts frequented by the gods and other divine creatures. As a treasurer, he lent riches to Lord Venkateswara for his marriage with goddess Padmavati. It is believed that Lord Venkateswara still owes a debt to Kubera and is repaying it through the donations made by the devotees in the Tirupati Hundi and this will go on till the end of Kaliyuga. Bhadra is Lord Kubera's wife. She is the daughter of Lord Suryadev and Chayya. She is a very big devotee of Lord Shiva and resides in Aalkapuri. She still resides in Aalkapuri with her family ie. Lord Kuber consort Bhadra and two children Nalkubera (wife Rambha)and Manibhadra.

Kubera is the Lord of Wealth. He is a protector of the world. Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club. According to Vedic texts, Kubera acquired the status of God only in the Purans and Hindu epics. They describe that Kubera once ruled Lanka but was overthrown by Ravana. Kubera is often depicted as a dwarf, with complexion of lotus leaves and a big belly. He is described as having three legs, only eight teeth, one eye, and being adorned with jewels. He is sometimes depicted riding a man. The description of deformities like the broken teeth, three legs, three heads and four arms appear only in the later Puranic texts. Kubera holds a mace, a money bag in his hand.