Kubera: The Story of the Hindu God of Money and Treasure
Most people know Lord Kubera as the Hindu god who brings wealth and money. But his story is way more interesting than just being rich. Let us learn about this special god who went from being bad to becoming one of the most loved gods in Hindu stories.
How Kubera's Story Started
Kubera's story began a very long time ago in old Hindu books called the Vedas. But back then, he was not seen as a good person. The old books said he was the leader of evil spirits and bad people. It is a lot different from how we see him today.
Later books told a different story. They made Kubera into a real god that people could pray to. Books like the Ramayana and Mahabharata talk about him as a respected god.
The name "Kubera" means someone who looks strange or different. And when you see how he's described, you will understand why.
What Kubera Looks Like
Kubera does not resemble the handsome gods typically depicted in most pictures. He is short and has a big belly. He only has one eye, three legs, and eight teeth. His skin is said to be the color of a lotus flower.
How did he lose his eye? There's a funny story about that! One day, he looked at Parvati (Shiva's wife) in a way he shouldn't have. Shiva got really angry and took away one of Kubera's eyes as punishment. But Parvati felt sorry for him later and gave him his eye back.
You will usually see Kubera riding a mongoose (a small furry animal). Sometimes he rides a goat instead. He always carries a pot full of gold or jewels in his hands.
The God Who Controls All Money
Today, Kubera is famous for being the god of wealth. People pray to him when they want more money or success in business. During a festival called Dhanteras (which comes right before Diwali), families buy gold and jewelry to honor Kubera and seek his blessings.
Hindu stories say Kubera is the richest of all the gods. He is like the bank manager for all the other gods - he keeps track of all their treasure and money.
Kubera - King of the Yakshas
Kubera is also the king of creatures called Yakshas. These are magical beings that live in nature. Some Yakshas are helpful and nice, while others can cause trouble. They have special powers that humans do not have. You can see statues of Yakshas at many temples across Asia.
Even though the oldest books said Kubera was bad, later stories made him much more important. He became a great follower of Shiva and spent years praying to him. Shiva was so happy with Kubera's prayers that he gave him the job of protecting the northern direction of the world.
The Story of Lanka and Ravana
Here is where Kubera's story gets really interesting - Long ago, Kubera prayed so hard to Brahma that the Creator God appeared and granted him three amazing gifts: all the riches in the world, a flying chariot called Pushpak Viman, and the beautiful golden city of Lanka.
However, Kubera had a half-brother named Ravana (yes, the same person from the Ramayana). Ravana was jealous of Kubera's wealth and city. So, Ravana attacked Lanka, displaced Kubera, and stole his flying chariot as well.
After losing Lanka, Kubera moved near Mount Kailash and built a new city called Alkapuri. This new city was so beautiful that even Shiva and Parvati would often visit there.
When Ganesha Taught Kubera a Lesson
One of the best stories about Kubera teaches us not to show off our wealth. Once, Kubera threw a huge party to brag about how rich he was. He invited Shiva and Parvati, but Shiva said he was busy and sent his son Ganesha instead.
When Ganesha arrived, he started eating and eating and eating. He ate all the food, then started eating the plates, tables, and everything else he could find. Kubera got scared and ran to Shiva for help.
Shiva laughed and gave Kubera a simple bowl of rice that Parvati had made with love. He told Kubera to give it to Ganesha with a humble heart, not showing off. When Kubera did this, Ganesha finally stopped eating. The lesson? Love and humility matter more than fancy, expensive things.
Kubera and the Tirupati Temple
There is a connection between Kubera and one of India's most famous temples - Tirupati. The story goes that Venkateswara (another form of Vishnu) needed money for his wedding, so he borrowed it from Kubera. That is why people donate money at the Tirupati temple - they believe it helps Venkateswara pay back his loan to Kubera.
Why Kubera Matters Today
Kubera's story shows us that people can change and grow. He went from being the leader of bad spirits to becoming a respected god. He learned that real wealth comes with responsibility and that showing off is not the right thing.
When people pray to Kubera today, they are not just asking for money. They are asking for the wisdom to use wealth properly and share it with others. That's what makes Kubera such a special and loved god in Hindu culture.
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