Kubera

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Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

Kubera (कुबेर) is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine Yakshas in Hinduism.[1] Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club. 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.

Variants

History

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 Nagari 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.

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.[2][3] 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.[4] Another major tale in the scriptures records how Kubera entertained the sage Ashtavakra in his palace.[5]

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").[6]

Etymology and other names

The exact origins of the name Kubera are unknown.[7]

  • "Kubera" or Kuvera (कुवेर) as spelt in later Sanskrit, means "deformed or monstrous" or "ill-shaped one"; indicating his deformities.[8][9]
  • 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).[10]
  • As the son of Vishrava ("Fame"), Kubera is called Vaisravana (in the Pali language, Vessavana) and as the son of Ilavila, Ailavila.[11] Vaisravana is sometimes translated as the "Son of Fame".[12] 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").[14]

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.[15][16] Kubera also rides the elephant called Sarvabhauma as a loka-pala.[17] His garden is named Chaitrarath.[18]

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).[19][20][21] Kubera is also called Guhyadhipa ("Lord of the hidden"). The Atharvaveda calls him the "god of hiding".[22]

External links

References

  1. ↑ The Poems of Sūradāsa. Abhinav publications. 1999. ISBN 9788170173694.
  2. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 142–3
  3. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 144–5
  4. ↑ Hopkins 1915, p. 147
  5. ↑ Hopkins 1915, p. 147
  6. ↑ Wilkins, W. J. (1990). Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic. Sacred texts archive. pp. 388–93. ISBN 1-4021-9308-4.
  7. ↑ Daniélou, Alain (1964). "Kubera, the Lord of Riches". The myths and gods of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Company. pp. 135–7.
  8. ↑ Daniélou, Alain (1964). "Kubera, the Lord of Riches". The myths and gods
  9. ↑ Monier-Williams Dictionary: Kubera
  10. ↑ [Sutherland, Gail Hinich (1991). The disguises of the demon: the development of the Yakṣa in Hinduism and Buddhism. SUNY Press. ISBN 0-7914-0622-9. p.63]
  11. ↑ [Sutherland, Gail Hinich (1991). The disguises of the demon: the development of the Yakṣa in Hinduism and Buddhism. SUNY Press. ISBN 0-7914-0622-9. pp. 142–3]
  12. ↑ Daniélou, Alain (1964). "Kubera, the Lord of Riches". The myths and gods of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Company. pp. 135–7.
  13. ↑ Sutherland 1991, p. 63
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 144–5
  17. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 142–3
  18. ↑ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam (ed.). India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 65.
  19. ↑ Daniélou, Alain (1964). "Kubera, the Lord of Riches". The myths and gods of India. Inner Traditions / Bear & Company. pp. 135–7.
  20. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 142–3
  21. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 144–5
  22. ↑ Hopkins 1915, pp. 144–5

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