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{{other uses}}
{{other uses}}
{{Cleanup|reason=AI generated text|date=November 2025}}
{{short description|Hindu god of wealth}}
{{short description|Hindu god of wealth}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
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{{Infobox deity
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| type = Hindu
| image = SAMA Kubera 1.jpg
| image = File:Kubera, God of Wealth, and His Consort Riddhi.jpg
| caption = A 10th century statue of Kubera at San Antonio Museum of Art
| caption = 10th century [[sandstone]] sculpture of Kubera with his consort
| affiliation = [[Yaksha]], [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], [[Lokapala]]
| affiliation = [[Yaksha]], [[Deva (Hinduism)|Deva]], [[Lokapala]]
| god_of = God of Wealth<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kubera | title=Kubera, Kuvera, Kuberā: 52 definitions | date=15 June 2012 }}</ref><br>Treasurer of the Devas<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Myth_Mithya/8wKK7KNnMzAC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=kubera+treasurer+devas&pg=PT42&printsec=frontcover|title=MYTH=MITHYA|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|date=2006| publisher=Penguin UK | isbn=9788184750218 }}</ref>
| god_of = God of Wealth<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kubera | title=Kubera, Kuvera, Kuberā: 52 definitions | date=15 June 2012 }}</ref><br>Treasurer of the Devas<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8wKK7KNnMzAC&dq=kubera+treasurer+devas&pg=PT42|title=MYTH=MITHYA|first=Devdutt|last=Pattanaik|date=2006| publisher=Penguin UK | isbn=9788184750218 }}</ref>
| abode = [[Lanka]] and later [[Alaka]]
| abode = [[Lanka]] and later [[Alaka]]
| mantra = {{IAST|Oṃ Shaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ}}
| mantra = {{IAST|Oṃ Shaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ}}
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| consort = [[Bhadra]]
| consort = [[Bhadra]]
| children = [[Nalakuvara]], [[Manibhadra]], Mayuraja, and Minakshi
| children = [[Nalakuvara]], [[Manibhadra]], Mayuraja, and Minakshi
| mount = [[Wild Boar]], [[Mongoose]]
| mount = [[Mongoose]],[[Human]]
| member_of = [[Lokapalas]]
| member_of = [[Lokapalas]]
| siblings = [[Ravana]], [[Kumbhakarna]]
}}
}}
'''Kubera''' ({{lang-sa|कुबेर|translit=Kuberā}}) also known as  '''Kuvera''', '''Kuber''' and ''' Kuberan''', is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine [[yakshas]] in [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmUssUXUFFYC&pg=PA359 |title=The Poems of Sūradāsa|publisher=Abhinav publications|year=1999|isbn=9788170173694}}</ref> He is regarded as [[Guardians of the directions|the regent of the north (''Dikpala'')]], and a protector of the world (''[[Lokapala]]''). His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species, and the owner of the treasures of the world. Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club.
'''Kubera''' ({{langx|sa|कुबेर}}, {{IAST3|Kubera}}) also known as  '''Kuvera''', '''Kuber''' and ''' Kuberan''', is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine [[yakshas]] in [[Hinduism]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qmUssUXUFFYC&pg=PA359 |title=The Poems of Sūradāsa|publisher=Abhinav publications|year=1999|isbn=9788170173694}}</ref> He is regarded as [[Guardians of the directions|the regent of the north (''Dikpala'')]], and a protector of the world (''[[Lokapala]]''). His many [[epithet]]s extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species, and the owner of the treasures of the world. Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club.


Originally described as the chief of evil spirits in [[Veda|Vedic]]-era texts, Kubera acquired the status of a ''[[Deva (Hinduism)|deva]]'' (god) only in the [[Puranas|''Purana''s]] and the [[Hindu epic]]s. The scriptures describe that Kubera once ruled [[Lanka]], but was overthrown by his half-brother [[Ravana]], later settling in the city of [[Alaka]] in the [[Himalayas]]. Descriptions of the "glory" and "splendour" of Kubera's city are found in many scriptures.
Originally described as the chief of evil spirits in [[Veda|Vedic]]-era texts, Kubera acquired the status of a ''[[Deva (Hinduism)|deva]]'' (god) only in the [[Puranas|''Purana''s]] and the [[Hindu epic]]s. The scriptures describe that Kubera once ruled [[Lanka]], but was overthrown by his half-brother [[Ravana]], later settling in the city of [[Alaka]] in the [[Himalayas]]. Descriptions of the "glory" and "splendour" of Kubera's city are found in many scriptures.


Kubera has also been assimilated into the [[Buddhist]] and [[Jain]] pantheons. In Buddhism, he is known as [[Vaisravana]], the patronymic used of the Hindu Kubera and is also equated with [[Pañcika]], while in Jainism, he is known as '''Sarvanubhuti'''.
Kubera has also been assimilated into the [[Buddhist]] and [[Jain]] pantheons. In Buddhism, he is known as [[Vaisravana]], the patronymic used of the Hindu Kubera and is also equated with [[Pañcika]], while in Jainism, he is known as '''Sarvanubhuti'''. In Indonesia, Kubera is also known as '''Daneswara'''.


==Iconography==
==Iconography==
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.<ref name="knapp" /><ref name="Britannica" /> The description of deformities like the broken teeth, three legs, three heads and [[Chaturbhuja|four arms]] appear only in the later ''Puranic'' texts.<ref name="H147">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|p=147}}</ref> Kubera holds a mace, a pomegranate, or a money bag in his hand.<ref name="knapp" /> He may also carry a sheaf of jewels or a [[mongoose]] with him. In Tibet, the mongoose is considered a symbol of Kubera's victory over [[nāga]]s—the guardians of treasures.<ref name="Thomas" /> Kubera is usually depicted with a mongoose in Buddhist iconography.<ref name="Britannica" />
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 described riding a man.<ref name="knapp" /><ref name="Britannica" /> The description of deformities like the broken teeth, three legs, three heads and [[Chaturbhuja|four arms]] appear only in the later ''Puranic'' texts.<ref name="H147">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|p=147}}</ref> Kubera holds a mace, a pomegranate, or a money bag in his hand.<ref name="knapp" /> He may also carry a sheaf of jewels or a [[mongoose]] with him. In Tibet, the mongoose is considered a symbol of Kubera's victory over [[nāga]]s—the guardians of treasures.<ref name="Thomas" /> Kubera is usually depicted with a mongoose in Buddhist iconography.<ref name="Britannica" />


[[File:British Museum Ganesha Matrikas Kubera.jpg|thumb|A bronze [[Matrika]] goddess group along with [[Ganesha]] (left) and Kubera (right) currently at the [[British Museum]]. Originally from Eastern India, it was dedicated in 43rd year of reign of [[Mahipala]] I (c. 1043 AD).|280x280px]]
[[File:British Museum Ganesha Matrikas Kubera.jpg|thumb|A bronze [[Matrika]] goddess group along with [[Ganesha]] (left) and Kubera (right) currently at the [[British Museum]]. Originally from Eastern India, it was dedicated in 43rd year of reign of [[Mahipala]] I ({{circa|1043 AD}}).|280x280px]]
In the ''[[Vishnudharmottara Purana]]'', Kubera is described as the embodiment of both ''[[Artha]]'' ("wealth, prosperity, glory") and ''[[Arthashastra]]''s, the treatises related to it—and his iconography mirrors it. Kubera's complexion is described as that of lotus leaves. He rides a man—the [[State (polity)|state]] personified, adorned in golden clothes and ornaments, symbolizing his wealth. His left eye is yellow. He wears an armour and a necklace down to his large belly. The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' further describes his face to be inclined to the left, sporting a beard and mustache, and with two small tusks protruding from the ends of his mouth, representing his powers to punish and to bestow favours. His wife Riddhi, representing the journey of life, is seated on his left lap, with her left hand on the back of Kubera and the right holding a ''ratna-patra'' (jewel-pot). Kubera should be four-armed, holding a ''gada'' (mace: symbol of  ''dandaniti''—administration of justice) and a ''[[shakti]]'' (power) in his left pair, and standards bearing a lion—representing ''Artha'' and a ''shibika'' (a club, the weapon of Kubera). The ''[[nidhi]]'' treasures Padma and Shankha stand beside him in human form, with their heads emerging from a lotus and a conch respectively.<ref name="prakash">{{cite book|last=Prakash|first=Om|editor=Nagendra Kumar Singh|title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism |year=2000|publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD|isbn=81-7488-168-9|pages=41–4|chapter=Artha and Arthasastra in the Puranic Iconography and their symbolic implications|chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=UG9-HZ5icQ4C&q=kubera&pg=PA43|volume = 31–45}}</ref>
 
In the ''[[Vishnudharmottara Purana]]'', Kubera is described as the embodiment of both ''[[Artha]]'' ("wealth, prosperity, glory") and ''[[Arthashastra]]''s, the treatises related to it—and his iconography mirrors it. Kubera's complexion is described as that of lotus leaves. He rides a man—the [[State (polity)|state]] personified, adorned in golden clothes and ornaments, symbolizing his wealth. His left eye is yellow. He wears an armour and a necklace down to his large belly. The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' further describes his face to be inclined to the left, sporting a beard and mustache, and with two small tusks protruding from the ends of his mouth, representing his powers to punish and to bestow favours. His wife Riddhi, representing the journey of life, is seated on his left lap, with her left hand on the back of Kubera and the right holding a ''ratna-patra'' (jewel-pot). Kubera should be four-armed, holding a ''gada'' (mace: symbol of  ''dandaniti''—administration of justice) and a ''[[shakti]]'' (power) in his left pair, and standards bearing a lion—representing ''Artha'' and a ''shibika'' (a club, the weapon of Kubera). The ''[[nidhi]]'' treasures Padma and Shankha stand beside him in human form, with their heads emerging from a lotus and a conch respectively.<ref name="prakash">{{cite book|last=Prakash|first=Om|editor=Nagendra Kumar Singh|title=Encyclopaedia of Hinduism|year=2000|publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD|isbn=81-7488-168-9|pages=41–4|chapter=Artha and Arthasastra in the Puranic Iconography and their symbolic implications|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UG9-HZ5icQ4C&q=kubera&pg=PA43|volume=31–45}}{{Dead link|date=May 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  


The ''[[Agni Purana]]'' states that Kubera should be installed in temples as seated on a goat, and with a club in his hand.<ref name = "Mani"/> Kubera's image is prescribed to be that of gold, with multi-coloured attributes.<ref name="Alain"/> In some sources, especially in [[Jain]] depictions, Kubera is depicted as a drunkard, signified by the "nectar vessel" in his hand.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sutherland|1991|p=65}}</ref>
The ''[[Agni Purana]]'' states that Kubera should be installed in temples as seated on a goat, and with a club in his hand.<ref name = "Mani"/> Kubera's image is prescribed to be that of gold, with multi-coloured attributes.<ref name="Alain"/> In some sources, especially in [[Jain]] depictions, Kubera is depicted as a drunkard, signified by the "nectar vessel" in his hand.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sutherland|1991|p=65}}</ref>
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The exact origins of the name Kubera are unknown.<ref name="Alain"/> "Kubera" or "Kuvera" (कुवेर) as spelt in later Sanskrit, means "deformed or monstrous" or "ill-shaped one"; indicating his deformities.<ref name="Alain"/><ref name = "monier">[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0291-kudri.jpg Monier-Williams Dictionary: Kubera]</ref> Another theory suggests that Kubera may be derived from the verb root ''kumba'', meaning to conceal. Kuvera is also split as ''ku'' (earth), and ''vira'' (hero).<ref name = "S63"/>
The exact origins of the name Kubera are unknown.<ref name="Alain"/> "Kubera" or "Kuvera" (कुवेर) as spelt in later Sanskrit, means "deformed or monstrous" or "ill-shaped one"; indicating his deformities.<ref name="Alain"/><ref name = "monier">[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw0291-kudri.jpg Monier-Williams Dictionary: Kubera]</ref> Another theory suggests that Kubera may be derived from the verb root ''kumba'', meaning to conceal. Kuvera is also split as ''ku'' (earth), and ''vira'' (hero).<ref name = "S63"/>


As the son of [[Vishrava]] ("Fame"), Kubera is called ''[[Vaisravana]]'' (in the [[Pali language]], Vessavana) and as the son of Ilavila, ''Ailavila''.<ref name = "H142">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|pp=142–3}}</ref> Vaisravana is sometimes translated as the "Son of Fame".<ref name="Alain"/> The ''Sutta Nitapa'' commentary says that ''Vaisravana'' is derived from a name of Kubera's kingdom, ''Visana''.<ref name = "S63"/> Once, Kubera looked at Shiva and his wife [[Parvati]] with jealousy, so he lost one of his eyes. Parvati also turned this deformed eye yellow. So, Kubera gained the name ''Ekaksipingala'' ("one who has one yellow eye").<ref name = "Mani"/> He is also called ''Bhutesha'' ("Lord of spirits") like Shiva. Kubera usually is drawn by spirits or men (''nara''), so is called ''Nara-vahana'', one whose ''[[vahana]]'' (mount) is ''nara''. [[Edward Washburn Hopkins|Hopkins]] interprets ''nara''s as being water-spirits, although Mani translates ''nara'' as men.<ref name = "Mani"/><ref name = "H144"/> Kubera also rides the elephant called ''Sarvabhauma'' as a ''loka-pala''.<ref name = "H142"/> His garden is named Chaitrarath.<ref name="Madan"/>
As the son of [[Vishrava]] ("Fame"), Kubera is called ''[[Vaisravana]]'' (in the [[Pali language]], Vessavana) and as the son of Ilavila, ''Ailavila''.<ref name = "H142">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|pp=142–3}}</ref> Vaisravana is sometimes translated as the "Son of Fame".<ref name="Alain"/> The ''Sutta Nitapa'' commentary says that ''Vaisravana'' is derived from a name of Kubera's kingdom, ''Visana''.<ref name = "S63"/> Once, Kubera looked at Shiva and his wife [[Parvati]] with jealousy, so he lost one of his eyes. Parvati also turned this deformed eye yellow. So, Kubera gained the name ''Ekaksipingala'' ("one who has one yellow eye").<ref name = "Mani"/> He is also called ''Bhutesha'' ("Lord of spirits") like Shiva. Kubera usually is drawn by spirits or men (''nara''), so is called ''Nara-vahana'', one whose ''[[vahana]]'' (mount) is ''nara''. [[Edward Washburn Hopkins|Hopkins]] interprets ''nara''s as being water-spirits, although Mani translates ''nara'' as men.<ref name = "Mani"/><ref name = "H144"/> Kubera also rides the elephant called ''Sarvabhauma'' as a ''loka-pala''.<ref name = "H142"/> His garden is named Chaitraratha.<ref name="Madan"/>


Kubera also enjoys the titles "king of the whole world", "king of kings" (''Rajaraja''), "Lord of wealth" (''Dhanadhipati'') and "giver of wealth" (''Dhanada''). His titles are sometimes related to his subjects: "king of [[yaksha]]s" (''Yaksharajan''), "Lord of [[rakshasa]]s" (''Rakshasadhipati''), "Lord of [[Guhyaka]]s" (''Guhyakadhipa''), "king of [[Kinnara]]s"(''Kinnararaja''), "king of animals resembling men" (''Mayuraja''), and "king of men" (''Nararaja'').<ref name="Alain"/><ref name = "H142"/><ref name = "H144"/> Kubera is also called ''Guhyadhipa'' ("Lord of the hidden"). The ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' calls him the "god of hiding".<ref name = "H144"/>
Kubera also enjoys the titles "king of the whole world", "king of kings" (''Rajaraja''), "Lord of wealth" (''Dhanadhipati'') and "giver of wealth" (''Dhanada''). His titles are sometimes related to his subjects: "king of [[yaksha]]s" (''Yaksharajan''), "Lord of [[rakshasa]]s" (''Rakshasadhipati''), "Lord of [[Guhyaka]]s" (''Guhyakadhipa''), "king of [[Kinnara]]s"(''Kinnararaja''), "king of animals resembling men" (''Mayuraja''), and "king of men" (''Nararaja'').<ref name="Alain"/><ref name = "H142"/><ref name = "H144"/> Kubera is also called ''Guhyadhipa'' ("Lord of the hidden"). The ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' calls him the "god of hiding".<ref name = "H144"/>
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===Early descriptions and parentage===
===Early descriptions and parentage===
In the ''Atharvaveda''—where he first appears<ref name="Alain">{{cite book|last= Daniélou|first=Alain|title=The myths and gods of India|year=1964|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Company|pages=135–7|chapter=Kubera, the Lord of Riches}}</ref>—and the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', Kubera is the chief of evil spirits or spirits of darkness, and son of Vaishravana.<ref name = "monier"/><ref name = "williams"/> The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' calls him the Lord of thieves and criminals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbr/sbe44/sbe44104.htm|title=Satapatha Brahmana Part V (SBE44): Thirteenth Kâ''n''''d''a: XIII, 4, 3. Third Brâhmana (13.4.3.10)|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2017-06-23}}</ref> In the ''[[Manusmriti]]'', he becomes a respectable ''lokapala'' ("world protector") and the patron of merchants.<ref name = "S63">{{Harvnb|Sutherland|1991|p=63}}</ref> In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Kubera is described as the son of ''[[Prajapati]]'' [[Pulastya]] and his wife Idavida, and the brother of sage [[Vishrava]]. Kubera is described as born from a cow. However, from the ''Purana''s, he is described as the grandson of Pulastya and the son of Vishrava and his wife [[Ilavida]] (or Ilivila or Devavarnini), daughter of the sage [[Bharadvaja]] or Trinabindu.<ref name = "Mani">{{cite book|author = Mani, Vettam|title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|publisher = Motilal Banarsidass|year = 1975|location = Delhi|isbn = 0-8426-0822-2|pages = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/434 434]–7}}</ref><ref name="Alain"/><ref name = "H142"/><ref name = "williams">{{cite book|last=Williams|first=George Mason|title=Handbook of Hindu mythology|year=2003|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1-85109-650-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576071068/page/190 190–1]|chapter=Kubera|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576071068/page/190}}</ref>
In the ''Atharvaveda''—where he first appears<ref name="Alain">{{cite book|last= Daniélou|first=Alain|title=The myths and gods of India|year=1964|publisher=Inner Traditions / Bear & Company|pages=135–7|chapter=Kubera, the Lord of Riches}}</ref>—and the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', Kubera is the chief of evil spirits or spirits of darkness, and son of Vaishravana.<ref name = "monier"/><ref name = "williams"/> The ''Shatapatha Brahmana'' calls him the Lord of thieves and criminals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/sbr/sbe44/sbe44104.htm|title=Satapatha Brahmana Part V (SBE44): Thirteenth Kânda: XIII, 4, 3. Third Brâhmana (13.4.3.10)|website=www.sacred-texts.com|access-date=2017-06-23}}</ref> In the ''[[Manusmriti]]'', he becomes a respectable ''lokapala'' ("world protector") and the patron of merchants.<ref name = "S63">{{Harvnb|Sutherland|1991|p=63}}</ref> In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Kubera is described as the son of ''[[Prajapati]]'' [[Pulastya]] and his wife Idavida, and the brother of sage [[Vishrava]]. Kubera is described as born from a cow. However, from the ''Purana''s, he is described as the grandson of Pulastya and the son of Vishrava and his wife [[Ilavida]] (or Ilivila or Devavarnini), daughter of the sage [[Bharadvaja]] or Trinabindu.<ref name = "Mani">{{cite book|author = Mani, Vettam|title = Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|url = https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|publisher = Motilal Banarsidass|year = 1975|location = Delhi|isbn = 0-8426-0822-2|pages = [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/434 434]–7}}</ref><ref name="Alain"/><ref name = "H142"/><ref name = "williams">{{cite book|last=Williams|first=George Mason|title=Handbook of Hindu mythology|year=2003|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=1-85109-650-7|pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576071068/page/190 190–1]|chapter=Kubera|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576071068/page/190}}</ref>


By this time, though still described as an ''[[asura]]'', Kubera is offered prayers at the end of all ritual sacrifices.<ref name = "williams"/> His titles, such as "best of kings" and "Lord of kings" (The''[[Harivamsa]]'' indicates that Kubera is made "Lord of kings"), in contrast to the god-king of heaven, [[Indra]], whose title of "best of gods" led to the later belief that Kubera was a man. The early texts ''Gautama [[Dharmaśāstra|Dharmashastra]]'' and ''[[Apastamba]]'' describe him as a man. Only the ''[[Grhya Sutras#Grhya Sutras|Grihyasutra]]''s of Shankhayana and Hiranyakesin call him a god, and suggest offerings of meat, sesame seeds and flowers to him.<ref name="prakash"/><ref name = "H146">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|p=146}}</ref>
By this time, though still described as an ''[[asura]]'', Kubera is offered prayers at the end of all ritual sacrifices.<ref name = "williams"/> His titles, such as "best of kings" and "Lord of kings" (The''[[Harivamsa]]'' indicates that Kubera is made "Lord of kings"), in contrast to the god-king of heaven, [[Indra]], whose title of "best of gods" led to the later belief that Kubera was a man. The early texts ''Gautama [[Dharmaśāstra|Dharmashastra]]'' and ''[[Apastamba]]'' describe him as a man. Only the ''[[Grhya Sutras#Grhya Sutras|Grihyasutra]]''s of Shankhayana and Hiranyakesin call him a god, and suggest offerings of meat, sesame seeds and flowers to him.<ref name="prakash"/><ref name = "H146">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|p=146}}</ref>
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The ''Purana''s and the epics ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Ramayana]]'' grant Kubera unquestioned godhood.<ref name="prakash" /> Kubera also acquired the status of the "Lord of riches" and the wealthiest Deva. He also becomes a ''lokapala'' ("world protector") and [[Guardians of the directions|guardian (''dikapala'') of the North direction]], although he is also sometimes associated with the East.<ref name="H142" /><ref name="williams" /> Kubera's status as a ''lokapala'' and a ''dikpala'' is assured in the ''Ramayana'', but in the ''Mahabharata'', some lists do not include Kubera. Thus, Kubera is considered a later addition to the original list of ''Loka-pala''s, where the gods [[Agni]] or [[Soma (deity)|Soma]] appear in his place.<ref>For Loka-palas, {{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|pp=149–52}}</ref> This status, the ''Ramayana'' records, was granted to Kubera by [[Brahma]]—the creator-god and father of Pulastya—as a reward for his severe penance. Brahma also conferred upon Kubera the riches of the world (''[[Nidhi]]s''), "equality with gods", and the [[Pushpaka Vimana]], a flying chariot. Kubera then ruled in the golden city of [[Lanka]], identified with modern-day [[Sri Lanka]].<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="Alain" /><ref name="H142" /> The ''Mahabharata'' says that Brahma conferred upon Kubera the lordship of wealth, friendship with Shiva, godhood, status as a world-protector, a son called ''Nalakubera''/''Nalakubara'', the Pushpaka Vimana and the lordship of the ''Nairrata'' demons.<ref name="H142" />
The ''Purana''s and the epics ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and ''[[Ramayana]]'' grant Kubera unquestioned godhood.<ref name="prakash" /> Kubera also acquired the status of the "Lord of riches" and the wealthiest Deva. He also becomes a ''lokapala'' ("world protector") and [[Guardians of the directions|guardian (''dikapala'') of the North direction]], although he is also sometimes associated with the East.<ref name="H142" /><ref name="williams" /> Kubera's status as a ''lokapala'' and a ''dikpala'' is assured in the ''Ramayana'', but in the ''Mahabharata'', some lists do not include Kubera. Thus, Kubera is considered a later addition to the original list of ''Loka-pala''s, where the gods [[Agni]] or [[Soma (deity)|Soma]] appear in his place.<ref>For Loka-palas, {{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|pp=149–52}}</ref> This status, the ''Ramayana'' records, was granted to Kubera by [[Brahma]]—the creator-god and father of Pulastya—as a reward for his severe penance. Brahma also conferred upon Kubera the riches of the world (''[[Nidhi]]s''), "equality with gods", and the [[Pushpaka Vimana]], a flying chariot. Kubera then ruled in the golden city of [[Lanka]], identified with modern-day [[Sri Lanka]].<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="Alain" /><ref name="H142" /> The ''Mahabharata'' says that Brahma conferred upon Kubera the lordship of wealth, friendship with Shiva, godhood, status as a world-protector, a son called ''Nalakubera''/''Nalakubara'', the Pushpaka Vimana and the lordship of the ''Nairrata'' demons.<ref name="H142" />


Both the ''Purana''s and the ''Ramayana'' feature the half-blood siblings of Kubera. Vishrava, Kubera's father, also married the ''[[rakshasa]]'' (demigod) princess [[Kaikesi]], who mothered four ''rakshasa'' children: [[Ravana]], the chief antagonist of the Ramayana, and his siblings, [[Kumbhakarna]], [[Vibhishana]], and [[Soorpanaka|Shurpanaka]].<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="williams" /> The ''Mahabharata'' regards Vishrava as the brother of Kubera, so Kubera is described as the uncle of Ravana and his siblings. It records that when Kubera approached Brahma for the favour of superseding his father Pulastya, Pulastya created Vishrava. To seek the favour of Vishrava, Kubera sent three women to him, by whom Vishrava begot his demon children.<ref name="H142" /><ref name="wilkins">{{cite book|last=Wilkins|first=W. J. |title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hmvp/hmvp39.htm|year=1990|publisher=Sacred texts archive|pages=388–93|isbn=1-4021-9308-4}}</ref> Ravana, after acquiring a boon of Brahma, drove Kubera away from Lanka and seized his Pushpaka Vimana, which was returned to Kubera after Ravana's death. Kubera then settled on Gandhamandana mountain, near [[Mount Kailash]] – the abode of the god [[Shiva]]—in the [[Himalayas]]. Sometimes, Kailash itself is called Kubera's residence. His city is usually called [[Alaka]] or Alaka-puri ("curl-city"), but also ''Prabha'' ("splendour"), ''Vasudhara'' ("bejeweled") and ''Vasu-sthali'' ("abode of treasures").<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="Alain" /><ref name="H142" /><ref name="Madan">{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/65 65]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> There, Kubera had a grove called ''Caitraratha'', where the leaves were jewels and the fruits were girls of heaven. There is also a charming lake called ''Nalini'' in the grove.<ref name="H142" /><ref name="wilkins" /> Kubera is often described as a friend of Shiva in the epics.<ref name="knapp" /> The ''[[Padma Purana]]'' says that Kubera prayed to Shiva for many years, and Shiva granted him the kingship of yakshas.<ref name="Mani" />
Both the ''Purana''s and the ''Ramayana'' feature the half-blood siblings of Kubera. Vishrava, Kubera's father, also married the ''[[rakshasa]]'' (demigod) princess [[Kaikesi]], who mothered four ''rakshasa'' children: [[Ravana]], the chief antagonist of the Ramayana, and his siblings, [[Kumbhakarna]], [[Vibhishana]], and [[Soorpanaka|Shurpanaka]].<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="williams" /> The ''Mahabharata'' regards Vishrava as the brother of Kubera, so Kubera is described as the uncle of Ravana and his siblings. It records that when Kubera approached Brahma for the favour of superseding his father Pulastya, Pulastya created Vishrava. To seek the favour of Vishrava, Kubera sent three women to him, by whom Vishrava begot his demon children.<ref name="H142" /><ref name="wilkins">{{cite book|last=Wilkins|first=W. J. |title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/hmvp/hmvp39.htm|year=1990|publisher=Sacred texts archive|pages=388–93|isbn=1-4021-9308-4}}</ref> Ravana, after acquiring a boon of Brahma, drove Kubera away from Lanka and seized his Pushpaka Vimana, which was returned to Kubera after Ravana's death. Kubera then settled on Gandhamandana mountain, near [[Mount Kailash]] – the abode of the god [[Shiva]]—in the [[Himalayas]]. Sometimes, Kailash itself is called Kubera's residence. His city is usually called [[Alaka]] or Alaka-puri ("curl-city"), but also ''Prabha'' ("splendour"), ''Vasudhara'' ("bejeweled") and ''Vasusthali'' ("abode of treasures").<ref name="Mani" /><ref name="Alain" /><ref name="H142" /><ref name="Madan">{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/65 65]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> There, Kubera had a grove called ''Caitraratha'', where the leaves were jewels and the fruits were girls of heaven. There is also a charming lake called ''Nalini'' in the grove.<ref name="H142" /><ref name="wilkins" /> Kubera is often described as a friend of Shiva in the epics.<ref name="knapp" /> The ''[[Padma Purana]]'' says that Kubera prayed to Shiva for many years, and Shiva granted him the kingship of yakshas.<ref name="Mani" />


[[File:Kubera, the God of Riches LACMA M.69.13.8 (1 of 9).jpg|thumb|left|An 11th century Kubera, [[Karnataka]].]]
[[File:Kubera, the God of Riches LACMA M.69.13.8 (1 of 9).jpg|thumb|left|An 11th century Kubera, [[Karnataka]].]]
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Kubera is the treasurer of the gods, and the overlord of the semi-divine yakshas, the ''[[guhyaka]]''s, ''[[kinnara]]''s and gandharvas, who act as his assistants and protectors of the jewels of the earth, as well as guardians of his city. Kubera is also the guardian of travelers and the giver of wealth to individuals, who please him. The rakshasas also serve Kubera,<ref name="knapp">{{cite book|last=Knapp|first=Stephen |title=The Heart of Hinduism: The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment and Illumination| year=2005|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=0-595-79779-2|pages=192–3}}</ref> however, some cannibalistic rakshasas are described to have sided with Ravana in the battle against Kubera.<ref name="H142" /> Kubera also developed as minor marriage-divinity. He is invoked with Shiva at weddings and is described as ''Kameshvara'' ("Lord of ''[[Kama]]'' – pleasure, desire etc.").<ref name="H148">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|p=148}}</ref> He is associated with fertility of the aquatic type.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sutherland|1991|p=61}}</ref>
Kubera is the treasurer of the gods, and the overlord of the semi-divine yakshas, the ''[[guhyaka]]''s, ''[[kinnara]]''s and gandharvas, who act as his assistants and protectors of the jewels of the earth, as well as guardians of his city. Kubera is also the guardian of travelers and the giver of wealth to individuals, who please him. The rakshasas also serve Kubera,<ref name="knapp">{{cite book|last=Knapp|first=Stephen |title=The Heart of Hinduism: The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment and Illumination| year=2005|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=0-595-79779-2|pages=192–3}}</ref> however, some cannibalistic rakshasas are described to have sided with Ravana in the battle against Kubera.<ref name="H142" /> Kubera also developed as minor marriage-divinity. He is invoked with Shiva at weddings and is described as ''Kameshvara'' ("Lord of ''[[Kama]]'' – pleasure, desire etc.").<ref name="H148">{{harvnb|Hopkins|1915|p=148}}</ref> He is associated with fertility of the aquatic type.<ref>{{Harvnb|Sutherland|1991|p=61}}</ref>


The ''Purana''s and the ''Mahabharata'' record that Kubera married [[Bhadra]] ("auspicious"), or Kauberi ("wife of Kubera"), daughter of the [[Danava (Hinduism)|demon]] Mura. She is also called ''Yakshi'' – a female yaksha and ''Charvi'' ("splendour"). They had three sons: [[Nalakuvara|Nalakubara]] ("Reed-axle"), [[Manibhadra|Manigriva]] ("Bejewled-neck") or Varna-kavi ("Colourful poet"), and Mayuraja ("king of animals resembling men"); and a daughter called Minakshi ("fish-eyed").<ref name="knapp" /><ref name="Alain" /><ref name="wilkins" />
The ''Purana''s and the ''Mahabharata'' record that Kubera married [[Bhadra]] ("auspicious"), or Riddhi ("prosperity"), daughter of the [[Danava (Hinduism)|demon]] Mura. She is also called ''Yakshi'' – a female yaksha, ''Kauberi'' ("wife of Kubera") and ''Charvi'' ("splendour"). They had three sons: [[Nalakuvara|Nalakubara]] ("Reed-axle"), [[Manibhadra|Manigriva]] ("Bejewled-neck") or Varna-kavi ("Colourful poet"), and Mayuraja ("king of animals resembling men"); and a daughter called Minakshi ("fish-eyed").<ref name="knapp" /><ref name="Alain" /><ref name="wilkins" />


==Worship==
==Worship==
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Kubera is recognized outside India and Hinduism as well. Kubera is a popular figure in Buddhist as well as Jain mythology.<ref name = "Britannica">Kubera.(2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica.  Retrieved July 08, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/324235/Kubera</ref> The [[Oriental studies|Orientalist]] Dr. Nagendra Kumar Singh remarked that, "Every [[Indian religion]] has a Kubera after the Hindu prototype".<ref name="jain"/>
Kubera is also recognized outside India and outside Hinduism. Kubera is a popular figure in Buddhist and Jain mythology.<ref name = "Britannica">Kubera.(2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica.  Retrieved July 08, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/324235/Kubera {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506144901/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/324235/Kubera |date=6 May 2015 }}</ref> The [[Oriental studies|orientalist]] Nagendra Kumar Singh remarked that, "Every [[Indian religion]] has a Kubera after the Hindu prototype."<ref name="jain"/>


=== Buddhism ===
=== Buddhism ===
{{see also|Jambhala|Vaiśravaṇa}}
{{see also|Jambhala|Vaiśravaṇa}}


Kubera is the Buddhist Vaiśravaṇa or Jambhala, and the Japanese Bishamon. The Buddhist Vaisravana, like the Hindu Kubera, is the regent of the North, a ''lokapala'' and the Lord of yakshas. He is one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]], each associated with a cardinal direction.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chaudhuri|first=Saroj Kumar|title=Hindu gods and goddesses in Japan  |year=2003|publisher=Vedams eBooks (P) Ltd|isbn=81-7936-009-1|chapter=Chapter 2: Vaisravana, the Heavenly King}}</ref> In Buddhist legends, Kubera is also equated with [[Pañcika]], whose wife [[Hariti]] is the symbol of abundance.<ref>Sutherland pp. 63–4, 66</ref> The iconography of Kubera and Pancika is so similar that in certain cases, A. Getty comments, it is extremely difficult to distinguish between Pancika and Kubera.<ref name = "Thomas">{{cite book|last=Donaldson|first=Thomas E. |title=Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa|year=2001|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=81-7017-406-6|pages=329–30|chapter=Jambhala/Pancika}}</ref> The Japanese Bishamon, also known as Tamon-Ten,<ref name=biswas184/> is one of the Jūni-Ten (十二天), a group of 12 Hindu deities adopted in Buddhism as guardian deities (''[[deva (Buddhism)|deva]]'' or ''ten'') who are found in or around Buddhist shrines. The Juni-Ten group of twelve deities were created by adding four deities to the older grouping of Happou-Ten, the eight guardians of the directions. Bishamon rules over the north, like his Hindu counterpart Kubera.<ref name=biswas184>S Biswas (2000), Art of Japan, Northern, {{ISBN|978-8172112691}}, page 184</ref><ref>[http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100031/000/000?mode=detail&d_lang=en Twelve Heavenly Deities (Devas)] Nara National Museum, Japan</ref><ref>[[Adrian Snodgrass]] (2007), The Symbolism of the Stupa, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120807815}}, pages 120–124, 298–300</ref>  
Kubera is identified as the Buddhist Vaiśravaṇa (or Jambhala) and the Japanese Bishamon. The Buddhist Vaisravana, like the Hindu Kubera, is the regent of the North, a ''lokapala,'' and the Lord of yakshas. He is one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]], who are each associated with a cardinal direction.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chaudhuri|first=Saroj Kumar|title=Hindu gods and goddesses in Japan  |year=2003|publisher=Vedams eBooks (P) Ltd|isbn=81-7936-009-1|chapter=Chapter 2: Vaisravana, the Heavenly King}}</ref> In Buddhist legends, Kubera is also equated with [[Pañcika]], whose wife [[Hariti]] is a symbol of abundance.<ref>Sutherland pp. 63–4, 66</ref> A. Getty comments that the iconography of Kubera and Pancika is so similar that in certain cases it is extremely difficult to distinguish between them.<ref name = "Thomas">{{cite book|last=Donaldson|first=Thomas E. |title=Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa|year=2001|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=81-7017-406-6|pages=329–30|chapter=Jambhala/Pancika}}</ref> The Japanese Bishamon, also known as Tamon-Ten,<ref name=biswas184/> is one of the [[Twelve Devas|Jūni-ten]] (十二天), a group of twelve Hindu deities adopted in Buddhism as guardian deities (''[[deva (Buddhism)|deva]]'' or ''ten'') who are found in or around Buddhist shrines. The Juni-Ten group of twelve deities were created by adding four deities to the older grouping of Happou-Ten, the eight guardians of the directions. Bishamon rules over the north, like his Hindu counterpart Kubera.<ref name=biswas184>S Biswas (2000), Art of Japan, Northern, {{ISBN|978-8172112691}}, page 184</ref><ref>[http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100031/000/000?mode=detail&d_lang=en Twelve Heavenly Deities (Devas)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304201634/http://www.emuseum.jp/detail/100031/000/000?mode=detail&d_lang=en |date=4 March 2016 }} Nara National Museum, Japan</ref><ref>[[Adrian Snodgrass]] (2007), The Symbolism of the Stupa, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120807815}}, pages 120–124, 298–300</ref>


=== Jainism ===
=== Jainism ===
In Jainism, Kubera is the attendant yaksha of the 19th [[Tirthankar]] [[Mallinath]].<ref name="jain">{{cite book|editor=Nagendra Kumar Singh|title=Encyclopaedia of Jainism|volume=1|year=2001|publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD.|isbn=81-261-0691-3|page=7280}}</ref> He is usually called ''Sarvanubhuti'' or ''Sarvahna'', and may be depicted with four faces, rainbow colours and eight arms. The [[Digambara]] sect of Jainism gives him six weapons and three heads; while the [[Svetambara]]s portray him with four to six arms, numerous choices of weapons, though his attributes, the money bag and citron fruit are consistent. He may ride a man or an elephant.<ref name="jain"/><ref name = "Jose">{{cite book|last=Pereira|first= José|title=Monolithic Jinas The Iconography of the Jain Temples of Ellora|year=1977|publisher=Motilal Banarsidas|isbn=0-8426-1027-8|pages=60–1}}</ref> He is related to the Buddhist Jambhala rather than the Hindu Kubera.<ref name = "Jose"/>
In Jainism, Kubera is the attendant yaksha of the 19th [[Tirthankar]] [[Mallinath]].<ref name="jain">{{cite book|editor=Nagendra Kumar Singh|title=Encyclopaedia of Jainism|volume=1|year=2001|publisher=Anmol Publications PVT. LTD.|isbn=81-261-0691-3|page=7280}}</ref> He is usually called ''Sarvanubhuti'' or ''Sarvahna'', and may be depicted with four faces, rainbow colours and eight arms. The [[Digambara]] sect of Jainism gives him six weapons and three heads, while the [[Śvetāmbara]]s portray him with four to six arms and numerous choices of weapons. However, his attributes such as the money bag and citron fruit are consistent. He may ride a man or an elephant.<ref name="jain"/><ref name = "Jose">{{cite book|last=Pereira|first= José|title=Monolithic Jinas The Iconography of the Jain Temples of Ellora|year=1977|publisher=Motilal Banarsidas|isbn=0-8426-1027-8|pages=60–1}}</ref> He is related to the Buddhist Jambhala rather than the Hindu Kubera.<ref name = "Jose"/>
{{clear}}
{{clear}}


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|30em}}


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book|last=Hopkins |first=Edward Washburn|author-link=Edward Washburn Hopkins|title=Epic mythology |url=https://archive.org/stream/epicmythology00hopkuoft#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Kubera|year=1915|publisher=Strassburg K.J. Trübner|isbn=0-8426-0560-6}}
*{{cite book|last=Hopkins |first=Edward Washburn|author-link=Edward Washburn Hopkins|title=Epic mythology |url=https://archive.org/stream/epicmythology00hopkuoft#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Kubera|year=1915|publisher=Strassburg K.J. Trübner|isbn=0-8426-0560-6}}
* {{cite book|last=Sutherland|first=Gail Hinich|title=The disguises of the demon: the development of the Yakṣa in Hinduism and Buddhism|year=1991|publisher=[[SUNY]] Press|isbn=0-7914-0622-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Sutherland|first=Gail Hinich|title=The disguises of the demon: the development of the Yakṣa in Hinduism and Buddhism|year=1991|publisher=[[SUNY]] Press|isbn=0-7914-0622-9}}
==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
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[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Characters in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Yakshas]]
[[Category:Yakshas]]
[[Category:Heavenly attendants in Jainism]]
[[Category:Jain minor deities]]
[[Category:Vaiśravaṇa]]
[[Category:Vaiśravaṇa]]
[[Category:Mythological kings]]

Latest revision as of 16:32, 24 February 2026

For other uses, see Kubera (disambiguation).


Kubera
God of Wealth[1]
Treasurer of the Devas[2]
Member of Lokapalas
10th century sandstone sculpture of Kubera with his consort
AffiliationYaksha, Deva, Lokapala
AbodeLanka and later Alaka
MantraOṃ Shaṃ Kuberāya Namaḥ
WeaponGadā (Mace or club)
MountMongoose,Human
Personal information
Parents
SiblingsRavana, Kumbhakarna
ConsortBhadra
ChildrenNalakuvara, Manibhadra, Mayuraja, and Minakshi

Kubera (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist., IAST: Kubera) also known as Kuvera, Kuber and Kuberan, is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine yakshas in Hinduism.[3] He is regarded as the regent of the north (Dikpala), and a protector of the world (Lokapala). His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species, and the owner of the treasures of the world. Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club.

Originally described as the chief of evil spirits in Vedic-era texts, Kubera acquired the status of a deva (god) only in the Puranas and the Hindu epics. The scriptures describe that Kubera once ruled Lanka, but was overthrown by his half-brother Ravana, later settling in the city of Alaka in the Himalayas. Descriptions of the "glory" and "splendour" of Kubera's city are found in many scriptures.

Kubera has also been assimilated into the Buddhist and Jain pantheons. In Buddhism, he is known as Vaisravana, the patronymic used of the Hindu Kubera and is also equated with Pañcika, while in Jainism, he is known as Sarvanubhuti. In Indonesia, Kubera is also known as Daneswara.

Iconography[edit | edit source]

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 described riding a man.[4][5] The description of deformities like the broken teeth, three legs, three heads and four arms appear only in the later Puranic texts.[6] Kubera holds a mace, a pomegranate, or a money bag in his hand.[4] He may also carry a sheaf of jewels or a mongoose with him. In Tibet, the mongoose is considered a symbol of Kubera's victory over nāgas—the guardians of treasures.[7] Kubera is usually depicted with a mongoose in Buddhist iconography.[5]

A bronze Matrika goddess group along with Ganesha (left) and Kubera (right) currently at the British Museum. Originally from Eastern India, it was dedicated in 43rd year of reign of Mahipala I (c. 1043 AD).

In the Vishnudharmottara Purana, Kubera is described as the embodiment of both Artha ("wealth, prosperity, glory") and Arthashastras, the treatises related to it—and his iconography mirrors it. Kubera's complexion is described as that of lotus leaves. He rides a man—the state personified, adorned in golden clothes and ornaments, symbolizing his wealth. His left eye is yellow. He wears an armour and a necklace down to his large belly. The Vishnudharmottara Purana further describes his face to be inclined to the left, sporting a beard and mustache, and with two small tusks protruding from the ends of his mouth, representing his powers to punish and to bestow favours. His wife Riddhi, representing the journey of life, is seated on his left lap, with her left hand on the back of Kubera and the right holding a ratna-patra (jewel-pot). Kubera should be four-armed, holding a gada (mace: symbol of dandaniti—administration of justice) and a shakti (power) in his left pair, and standards bearing a lion—representing Artha and a shibika (a club, the weapon of Kubera). The nidhi treasures Padma and Shankha stand beside him in human form, with their heads emerging from a lotus and a conch respectively.[8]

The Agni Purana states that Kubera should be installed in temples as seated on a goat, and with a club in his hand.[9] Kubera's image is prescribed to be that of gold, with multi-coloured attributes.[10] In some sources, especially in Jain depictions, Kubera is depicted as a drunkard, signified by the "nectar vessel" in his hand.[11]

Etymology and other names[edit | edit source]

The exact origins of the name Kubera are unknown.[10] "Kubera" or "Kuvera" (कुवेर) as spelt in later Sanskrit, means "deformed or monstrous" or "ill-shaped one"; indicating his deformities.[10][12] Another theory suggests that Kubera may be derived from the verb root kumba, meaning to conceal. Kuvera is also split as ku (earth), and vira (hero).[13]

As the son of Vishrava ("Fame"), Kubera is called Vaisravana (in the Pali language, Vessavana) and as the son of Ilavila, Ailavila.[14] Vaisravana is sometimes translated as the "Son of Fame".[10] The Sutta Nitapa commentary says that Vaisravana is derived from a name of Kubera's kingdom, Visana.[13] Once, Kubera looked at Shiva and his wife Parvati with jealousy, so he lost one of his eyes. Parvati also turned this deformed eye yellow. So, Kubera gained the name Ekaksipingala ("one who has one yellow eye").[9] He is also called Bhutesha ("Lord of spirits") like Shiva. Kubera usually is drawn by spirits or men (nara), so is called Nara-vahana, one whose vahana (mount) is nara. Hopkins interprets naras as being water-spirits, although Mani translates nara as men.[9][15] Kubera also rides the elephant called Sarvabhauma as a loka-pala.[14] His garden is named Chaitraratha.[16]

Kubera also enjoys the titles "king of the whole world", "king of kings" (Rajaraja), "Lord of wealth" (Dhanadhipati) and "giver of wealth" (Dhanada). His titles are sometimes related to his subjects: "king of yakshas" (Yaksharajan), "Lord of rakshasas" (Rakshasadhipati), "Lord of Guhyakas" (Guhyakadhipa), "king of Kinnaras"(Kinnararaja), "king of animals resembling men" (Mayuraja), and "king of men" (Nararaja).[10][14][15] Kubera is also called Guhyadhipa ("Lord of the hidden"). The Atharvaveda calls him the "god of hiding".[15]

Literature[edit | edit source]

Kubera, 1st century CE, Mathura Museum.

Early descriptions and parentage[edit | edit source]

In the Atharvaveda—where he first appears[10]—and the Shatapatha Brahmana, Kubera is the chief of evil spirits or spirits of darkness, and son of Vaishravana.[12][17] The Shatapatha Brahmana calls him the Lord of thieves and criminals.[18] In the Manusmriti, he becomes a respectable lokapala ("world protector") and the patron of merchants.[13] In the epic Mahabharata, Kubera is described as the son of Prajapati Pulastya and his wife Idavida, and the brother of sage Vishrava. Kubera is described as born from a cow. However, from the Puranas, he is described as the grandson of Pulastya and the son of Vishrava and his wife Ilavida (or Ilivila or Devavarnini), daughter of the sage Bharadvaja or Trinabindu.[9][10][14][17]

By this time, though still described as an asura, Kubera is offered prayers at the end of all ritual sacrifices.[17] His titles, such as "best of kings" and "Lord of kings" (TheHarivamsa indicates that Kubera is made "Lord of kings"), in contrast to the god-king of heaven, Indra, whose title of "best of gods" led to the later belief that Kubera was a man. The early texts Gautama Dharmashastra and Apastamba describe him as a man. Only the Grihyasutras of Shankhayana and Hiranyakesin call him a god, and suggest offerings of meat, sesame seeds and flowers to him.[8][19]

Puranic and epic descriptions[edit | edit source]

The Puranas and the epics Mahabharata and Ramayana grant Kubera unquestioned godhood.[8] Kubera also acquired the status of the "Lord of riches" and the wealthiest Deva. He also becomes a lokapala ("world protector") and guardian (dikapala) of the North direction, although he is also sometimes associated with the East.[14][17] Kubera's status as a lokapala and a dikpala is assured in the Ramayana, but in the Mahabharata, some lists do not include Kubera. Thus, Kubera is considered a later addition to the original list of Loka-palas, where the gods Agni or Soma appear in his place.[20] This status, the Ramayana records, was granted to Kubera by Brahma—the creator-god and father of Pulastya—as a reward for his severe penance. Brahma also conferred upon Kubera the riches of the world (Nidhis), "equality with gods", and the Pushpaka Vimana, a flying chariot. Kubera then ruled in the golden city of Lanka, identified with modern-day Sri Lanka.[9][10][14] The Mahabharata says that Brahma conferred upon Kubera the lordship of wealth, friendship with Shiva, godhood, status as a world-protector, a son called Nalakubera/Nalakubara, the Pushpaka Vimana and the lordship of the Nairrata demons.[14]

Both the Puranas and the Ramayana feature the half-blood siblings of Kubera. Vishrava, Kubera's father, also married the rakshasa (demigod) princess Kaikesi, who mothered four rakshasa children: Ravana, the chief antagonist of the Ramayana, and his siblings, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, and Shurpanaka.[9][17] The Mahabharata regards Vishrava as the brother of Kubera, so Kubera is described as the uncle of Ravana and his siblings. It records that when Kubera approached Brahma for the favour of superseding his father Pulastya, Pulastya created Vishrava. To seek the favour of Vishrava, Kubera sent three women to him, by whom Vishrava begot his demon children.[14][21] Ravana, after acquiring a boon of Brahma, drove Kubera away from Lanka and seized his Pushpaka Vimana, which was returned to Kubera after Ravana's death. Kubera then settled on Gandhamandana mountain, near Mount Kailash – the abode of the god Shiva—in the Himalayas. Sometimes, Kailash itself is called Kubera's residence. His city is usually called Alaka or Alaka-puri ("curl-city"), but also Prabha ("splendour"), Vasudhara ("bejeweled") and Vasusthali ("abode of treasures").[9][10][14][16] There, Kubera had a grove called Caitraratha, where the leaves were jewels and the fruits were girls of heaven. There is also a charming lake called Nalini in the grove.[14][21] Kubera is often described as a friend of Shiva in the epics.[4] The Padma Purana says that Kubera prayed to Shiva for many years, and Shiva granted him the kingship of yakshas.[9]

An 11th century Kubera, Karnataka.

A description of Kubera's magnificent court appears in the Mahabharata as well as the Meghaduta. Here, gandharvas and apsaras entertain Kubera. Shiva and his wife Parvati often frequent Kubera's court, which is attended by semi-divine beings like the vidyadharas; kimpurushas; rakshasas; pishachas; as well as Padma and Shankha; personified treasures (nidhi); and Manibhadra, Kubera's chief attendant and chief of his army. Like every world-protector, Kubera has seven seers of the North in residence. Alaka is recorded to be plundered by Ravana once, and attacked by the Pandava prince, Bhima once.[8][9][10][14][15] Kubera's Nairrata army is described to have defeated king Mucukunda, who then defeated them by the advice of his guru Vashishta. Shukra, the preceptor of the asuras, is also recorded to have defeated Kubera and stolen his wealth.[6][9] Another major tale in the scriptures records how Kubera entertained the sage Ashtavakra in his palace.[6][9]

Kubera is the treasurer of the gods, and the overlord of the semi-divine yakshas, the guhyakas, kinnaras and gandharvas, who act as his assistants and protectors of the jewels of the earth, as well as guardians of his city. Kubera is also the guardian of travelers and the giver of wealth to individuals, who please him. The rakshasas also serve Kubera,[4] however, some cannibalistic rakshasas are described to have sided with Ravana in the battle against Kubera.[14] Kubera also developed as minor marriage-divinity. He is invoked with Shiva at weddings and is described as Kameshvara ("Lord of Kama – pleasure, desire etc.").[22] He is associated with fertility of the aquatic type.[23]

The Puranas and the Mahabharata record that Kubera married Bhadra ("auspicious"), or Riddhi ("prosperity"), daughter of the demon Mura. She is also called Yakshi – a female yaksha, Kauberi ("wife of Kubera") and Charvi ("splendour"). They had three sons: Nalakubara ("Reed-axle"), Manigriva ("Bejewled-neck") or Varna-kavi ("Colourful poet"), and Mayuraja ("king of animals resembling men"); and a daughter called Minakshi ("fish-eyed").[4][10][21]

Worship[edit | edit source]

As the treasurer of the riches of the world, Kubera is prescribed to be worshipped. Kubera is also credited money to the deity Venkateshwara (a form of Vishnu) for his marriage with Padmavati. In remembrance of this, the reason devotees go to Tirupati to donate money in Venkateshwara's Hundi ("Donation pot"), is so that he can pay it back to Kubera.[24] He is also associated with Lakshmi for this reason, and is sometimes represented with her as Kubera Lakshmi.

While Kubera still enjoys prayers as the god of wealth, his role is largely taken by the god of wisdom, fortune and obstacle-removal, Ganesha, with whom he is generally associated.[4][17]

Beyond Hinduism[edit | edit source]

Jambhala, the Buddhist Kubera, depicted similar to Kubera
Kubera on an elephant in the Jain caves of Ellora.
Indonesia often uses Hindu symbolism, such as Daneswara or Kuwera, to symbolise bank and wealth

Kubera is also recognized outside India and outside Hinduism. Kubera is a popular figure in Buddhist and Jain mythology.[5] The orientalist Nagendra Kumar Singh remarked that, "Every Indian religion has a Kubera after the Hindu prototype."[25]

Buddhism[edit | edit source]

See also: Jambhala and Vaiśravaṇa

Kubera is identified as the Buddhist Vaiśravaṇa (or Jambhala) and the Japanese Bishamon. The Buddhist Vaisravana, like the Hindu Kubera, is the regent of the North, a lokapala, and the Lord of yakshas. He is one of the Four Heavenly Kings, who are each associated with a cardinal direction.[26] In Buddhist legends, Kubera is also equated with Pañcika, whose wife Hariti is a symbol of abundance.[27] A. Getty comments that the iconography of Kubera and Pancika is so similar that in certain cases it is extremely difficult to distinguish between them.[7] The Japanese Bishamon, also known as Tamon-Ten,[28] is one of the Jūni-ten (十二天), a group of twelve Hindu deities adopted in Buddhism as guardian deities (deva or ten) who are found in or around Buddhist shrines. The Juni-Ten group of twelve deities were created by adding four deities to the older grouping of Happou-Ten, the eight guardians of the directions. Bishamon rules over the north, like his Hindu counterpart Kubera.[28][29][30]

Jainism[edit | edit source]

In Jainism, Kubera is the attendant yaksha of the 19th Tirthankar Mallinath.[25] He is usually called Sarvanubhuti or Sarvahna, and may be depicted with four faces, rainbow colours and eight arms. The Digambara sect of Jainism gives him six weapons and three heads, while the Śvetāmbaras portray him with four to six arms and numerous choices of weapons. However, his attributes such as the money bag and citron fruit are consistent. He may ride a man or an elephant.[25][31] He is related to the Buddhist Jambhala rather than the Hindu Kubera.[31]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Kubera, Kuvera, Kuberā: 52 definitions". 15 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Pattanaik, Devdutt (2006). MYTH=MITHYA. Penguin UK. ISBN 9788184750218.
  3. ↑ The Poems of Sūradāsa. Abhinav publications. 1999. ISBN 9788170173694.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Knapp, Stephen (2005). The Heart of Hinduism: The Eastern Path to Freedom, Empowerment and Illumination. iUniverse. pp. 192–3. ISBN 0-595-79779-2.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kubera.(2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved July 08, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/324235/Kubera Archived 6 May 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Hopkins 1915, p. 147
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Donaldson, Thomas E. (2001). "Jambhala/Pancika". Iconography of the Buddhist Sculpture of Orissa. Abhinav Publications. pp. 329–30. ISBN 81-7017-406-6.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Prakash, Om (2000). "Artha and Arthasastra in the Puranic Iconography and their symbolic implications". In Nagendra Kumar Singh (ed.). Encyclopaedia of Hinduism. Vol. 31–45. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. pp. 41–4. ISBN 81-7488-168-9.[permanent dead link]
  9. ↑ 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 Mani, Vettam (1975). Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary With Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 434–7. ISBN 0-8426-0822-2.
  10. ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 Daniélou, Alain (1964). "Kubera, the Lord of Riches". The myths and gods of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Company. pp. 135–7.
  11. ↑ Sutherland 1991, p. 65
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Monier-Williams Dictionary: Kubera
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Sutherland 1991, p. 63
  14. ↑ 14.00 14.01 14.02 14.03 14.04 14.05 14.06 14.07 14.08 14.09 14.10 14.11 Hopkins 1915, pp. 142–3
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Hopkins 1915, pp. 144–5
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 65.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 Williams, George Mason (2003). "Kubera". Handbook of Hindu mythology. ABC-CLIO. pp. 190–1. ISBN 1-85109-650-7.
  18. ↑ "Satapatha Brahmana Part V (SBE44): Thirteenth Kânda: XIII, 4, 3. Third Brâhmana (13.4.3.10)". www.sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  19. ↑ Hopkins 1915, p. 146
  20. ↑ For Loka-palas, Hopkins 1915, pp. 149–52
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Wilkins, W. J. (1990). Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic. Sacred texts archive. pp. 388–93. ISBN 1-4021-9308-4.
  22. ↑ Hopkins 1915, p. 148
  23. ↑ Sutherland 1991, p. 61
  24. ↑ Fairs and Festivals of India. Pustak Mahal. September 2006. p. 32. ISBN 81-223-0951-8.
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Nagendra Kumar Singh, ed. (2001). Encyclopaedia of Jainism. Vol. 1. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 7280. ISBN 81-261-0691-3.
  26. ↑ Chaudhuri, Saroj Kumar (2003). "Chapter 2: Vaisravana, the Heavenly King". Hindu gods and goddesses in Japan. Vedams eBooks (P) Ltd. ISBN 81-7936-009-1.
  27. ↑ Sutherland pp. 63–4, 66
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 S Biswas (2000), Art of Japan, Northern, ISBN 978-8172112691, page 184
  29. ↑ Twelve Heavenly Deities (Devas) Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Nara National Museum, Japan
  30. ↑ Adrian Snodgrass (2007), The Symbolism of the Stupa, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120807815, pages 120–124, 298–300
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Pereira, José (1977). Monolithic Jinas The Iconography of the Jain Temples of Ellora. Motilal Banarsidas. pp. 60–1. ISBN 0-8426-1027-8.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

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