✦ Lord Kubera ✦
✦ Lord of wealth, king of Yakshas, guardian of the north ✦
✦ About Lord Kubera ✦
Epithets: Dhaneshwara, Vittesha, Yaksharaja, Vaishravana, Dhanada, Rajaraja, Alpakaya
Lord Kubera is the treasurer of the gods and presiding deity of all wealth in Hindu Puranic tradition. He is king of the Yakshas, ruler of the north, and one of the eight Dikpalas. According to the Puranas, Kubera is the son of Vishrava, son of sage Pulastya — Ravana is his half-brother.
Kubera attained his position through severe tapas that won Shiva's grace. He thus became the wealthiest of gods. His capital "Alaka-puri" lies north of Mount Meru — built of gems and gold. From there he manages all the wealth-stores of the cosmos.
Like Lakshmi, Kubera grants wealth — but there is a distinction. Lakshmi is the goddess of "flowing" wealth (coming and going), while Kubera is lord of "stored" wealth (treasury, vault). Hence on Diwali, Kubera-puja is performed alongside Lakshmi-puja.
✦ Iconography ✦
Short, stout-bodied, white-complexioned. Three legs and eight teeth (in some images). Holds a mace and a money-pouch (nakula-dhana-thaila). Bejeweled earrings, crown, gold ornaments. Vahana — a man (nara-vahana) or buffalo. In some forms, a lion.
✦ Family & Relations ✦
✦ Principal Mantras ✦
ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं क्लीं श्रीं क्लीं वित्तेश्वराय नमः
Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitteshvaraya Namah
Meaning: Salutations to Lord Kubera, lord of wealth — bestow inexhaustible riches.
ॐ यक्षाय कुबेराय वैश्रवणाय धन धान्याधिपतये धन धान्य समृद्धिं मे देहि दापय स्वाहा
Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya · Dhana-Dhanya-adhipataye · Dhana-Dhanya-Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha
Meaning: Lord of wealth and grain, king of Yakshas, Kubera — grant me prosperity of wealth and food.
✦ Symbolism & Meaning ✦
Kubera symbolizes "stable wealth" — earned, protected, accumulated through effort. His stout form indicates that wealth-accumulation depends not on physical size but on firmness of mind. Three legs — wealth stable across past, present, and future. The north direction — stability, the Pole-star, the symbol of immovable property.