Kubera

Kubera (Sanskrit: कुबेर), also known as Vaiśravaṇa, Dhanapati, and Yakṣarāja, is the Hindu god of wealth, treasures, and prosperity. He is the king of the Yakshas, a class of nature spirits, and the regent of the northern direction (dikpala). His origins are found in the Rigveda, where he is mentioned as a lord of hidden treasures (Rigveda 1.42.3). In the Atharvaveda, he is associated with wealth and the underworld. The Mahabharata (Vana Parva) narrates that Kubera was originally a mortal prince, the son of sage Vishrava (hence Vaiśravaṇa) and the half-brother of Ravana. Through severe penance to Brahma, he obtained the boon of becoming the god of wealth, the ruler of Alakapuri (his celestial city in the Himalayas), and the guardian of the earth's treasures.

The Ramayana (Uttara Kanda) describes his conflict with Ravana, who usurped his Pushpaka Vimana. Iconographically, Kubera is depicted with a white or golden complexion, a potbelly, and four arms. He holds a mace (gada), a mongoose (nakula) that vomits jewels, and a pot of gems (nidhi). Sometimes he is shown with one or two arms, holding a citron (bijapuraka) and a money bag. His vahana is a man or a horse. Symbolically, the mongoose represents the ability to overcome the serpent of greed, and the pot of jewels signifies inexhaustible wealth.

Kubera's consort is Bhadra (also called Riddhi or Yakshi). In Hindu cosmology, he is one of the eight Lokapalas, guarding the north. He presides over the nine treasures (nidhis) and the eight types of wealth (ashta-lakshmi). The Skanda Purana and the Shiva Purana recount his devotion to Shiva, who granted him the lordship of the Yakshas. Regional worship traditions include Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, when Kubera is invoked for prosperity. In Tibet and Buddhist traditions, he is known as Jambhala and is revered as a wealth deity.

Kubera's role emphasizes the divine sanction of material abundance as a support for dharma, yet he also reminds devotees of the transience of wealth, as seen in the Bhagavata Purana (10.22), where Krishna's pastimes highlight the supremacy of spiritual wealth.

The name Kubera (Sanskrit: कुबेर) is of uncertain origin. It is often derived from the root 'kumba' meaning 'to conceal,' alluding to his role as the guardian of hidden treasures.

Alternatively, 'ku' (earth) and 'vira' (hero) have been proposed. The variant 'Kuvera' (कुवेर) appears in later Sanskrit and is interpreted as 'deformed' or 'ill-shaped,' referencing his physical peculiarities.

His patronymic Vaiśravaṇa (वैश्रवण) derives from his father Viśravas, meaning 'son of fame.' In Pali, he is Vessavaṇa. The epithet Ekakṣipiṅgala ('one yellow eye') stems from a myth where he lost an eye due to jealousy.

Other names include Dhanapati ('lord of wealth'), Yakṣarāja ('king of the Yakshas'), and Rājarāja ('king of kings'). Regional variants include Kuberan in Tamil and Jambhala in Tibetan Buddhism.

Kubera first appears in the Rigveda (1.42.3) as a lord of hidden treasures, associated with the underworld and evil spirits. In the Atharvaveda (8.10.28), he is invoked for wealth and linked to the Yakshas.

The Mahabharata (Vana Parva, chapters 274-275) narrates his rise: originally a mortal prince, son of sage Viśravas and half-brother of Rāvaṇa, he performed severe penance to Brahma and obtained the boon of becoming god of wealth, ruler of Alakāpurī, and guardian of the north. The Rāmāyaṇa (Uttara Kāṇḍa, sarga 12) describes his conflict with Rāvaṇa, who usurped his Puṣpaka Vimāna.

In the Purāṇas, such as the Skanda Purāṇa (Kāśī Khaṇḍa, chapter 20) and Śiva Purāṇa (Rudra Saṃhitā, chapter 15), he is depicted as a devotee of Śiva, who grants him lordship over the Yakshas. His status evolved from a chief of evil spirits in Vedic times to a full-fledged deity of wealth in the epics and Purāṇas.

Kubera is typically depicted with a plump body, a potbelly, and a white or golden complexion resembling lotus leaves. He has three legs, eight teeth, and one yellow eye. He wears elaborate ornaments and a crown.

In his four arms, he holds a mace (gadā), a money bag or pot of gems (nidhi), and a mongoose (nakula) that vomits jewels. The mongoose symbolizes victory over the serpent of greed. His vahana is a man (nara) or a horse.

The Viṣṇudharmottara Purāṇa (Chapter 71) prescribes that he should be seated with his wife Riddhi on his left lap, holding a jewel-pot. In South Indian bronzes, he is often shown with two arms, holding a citron (bījapūraka) and a club. In North Indian miniatures, he is depicted as a regal figure with a retinue of Yakshas.

The Agni Purāṇa (Chapter 51) states that his image should be made of gold and seated on a goat. In Buddhist iconography, he is known as Jambhala, holding a mongoose and a citron.

In Advaita Vedanta, Kubera represents the illusory nature of wealth, which is a product of māyā and should be used for dharma. In Viśiṣṭādvaita, he is a subordinate deity serving Viṣṇu, who bestows prosperity on devotees.

In Dvaita, he is a distinct soul with a specific role as a lokapāla, subordinate to Viṣṇu. In Śākta traditions, he is associated with Lakṣmī and the goddess of wealth.

In Tantric texts, Kubera is a yakṣa lord invoked for material gains and is often paired with the goddess Kubjikā. The Śiva Purāṇa (Rudra Saṃhitā) emphasizes his devotion to Śiva, who granted him lordship.

Symbolically, Kubera embodies the divine sanction of material abundance as a support for dharma, yet his deformed body reminds devotees of the transience of wealth. He is the guardian of the north, the direction of stability and prosperity.

Kubera appears in Bharatanatyam and Kathakali performances depicting episodes from the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. In Carnatic music, compositions like 'Kubera Gāna' praise his wealth. In Tanjore paintings, he is depicted with a potbelly and jewels.

In Pahari miniatures, he is shown as a regal figure. Folk forms like Yakshagana feature him as a character. In Bali, he is known as Kubera and worshipped in temples.

In Cambodia, he is part of the Hindu-Buddhist pantheon. In Thailand, he is called Phra Phai and associated with the north. In Tibetan Buddhism, he is Jambhala, a wealth deity.

The festival Dhanteras, the first day of Diwali, is dedicated to him for prosperity. His role emphasizes the ethical use of wealth for the welfare of society.