Lord Kubera.

suryakala · Apr 17, 2012

Dear Friends, We often hear somebody saying a Wealthy person “Heis Big information Kuberan.” I wanted to know more about Kuberan and cameacross very interesting- “Do you Know Kuberan has got Three Legs; squint eyes,and always travel in Plane? I give below” The story of Kuberan” as Found in Shiva Puran as mentioned by one of my fellow Members Yahoo.

LordKubera

Kubera is often depicted as a fat man, adorned with jewels and carrying a money-pot or money-bag, and a club. According to Hindu mythology, Kubera is the God ofwealth and son of Sage Vishrava who is the son of Lord Brahma.

Kubera is widely known as the gods appointed guardian of the treasures of the godsand the nine special treasures of indefinite significance. But he is also the King of Yakshas and one of the Ashta-Dikpalas, representing the north direction.He is also referred to as Kuvera, Kuber, Dhanapati and Vaisravana. Kuber’sresidence Lanka which he captured from the Demons was captured back by his halfbrother Ravana. When Ravana captured Lanka, Kubera moved to palace on MountKailash, in the Himalayas. Kubera is normally assumed as a dwarf with an uglyand deformed body having three legs, one eye smaller than the other and havingonly eight teeth. Because of his deformity Lord Brahma gifted him the ChariotPushpak built by Vishwakarma, the architect of Gods. The magic Chariot Pushpakwas stolen by Ravana and used for his misdeeds. This chariot, however, washanded back to him by Lord Ram after defeating Ravana. As the God of wealth andmaterial, his responsibilities are to distribute them while creating wealth iswith Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that Kubera flies in his Pushpak todistribute wealth to his devotees assisted by the Kinnaras and their femalecounterparts, the Kinnoris.

Kubera is said to havegiven a loan to Lord Venkateshwara for his marriage with Padmavati. Accordingto the Vishnupuran the repayment will go on till the end of Kaliyuga. It issaid that one who worships Kubera and Lakshmi together can never fall short ofmoney and material comforts. By worshipping Goddess Lakshmi and Kubera togetherbrings prosperity to the devotee by drawing new avenues and sources of income.Special puja of Kubera is performed by Hindus on festivals like Deepawali,Dusshera and Dhantriyodasi
Shiva Puran:
Gunanidhi , The Brahmin’sSon

Naradji asked lord Brahma, when did lord Shiva make Kailash as his abodeand what was the reason of friendship between Shivji and Kubera.

Brahmaji narrated the following story-

There used to live a Brahminby the name Yagyadutt in Kampilya nagar, who was proficient in the performanceof Somyagya. He followed strict Brahman rules and he was expert in all theVedas and puranas. He had a son named Gunanidhi. Though he was a scholar but atthe same time he was irreligious and kept bad company. He used to indulge inevil activities like gambling. His father - Yagyadutt was unaware of his evilactivities. Whenever he asked his wife about Gunanidhi habits and conduct, hiswife used to tell lies and praised the conduct of Gunamidhi. Thus Gunamidhi'scondition became worst day by days. Yagyadutt married Gunanidhi with a girlbelonging to a well to do family. But his habits had not changed. His mothertried her best to make him understand, but it was of no avail. One dayYagyadutt saw, a gambler wearing his ring. He asked him about that ring. Thegambler told him that his son - Gunanidhi had lost it to him, in the gamble. Healso informed him that he had also lost numerous ornaments and other propertiesin the gamble. Yagyadutt became very angry. He married another woman afterabandoning his wife and son.

Gunanidhi’s Salvation

When Gunanidhi came to know about his father's second marriage, he movedto another place, cursing his fate. He kept on walking till he became tired. Hesat under a tree and started thinking about his further course of action. Hisheart was full of remorse and he repented for his past actions. As his mind wasengrossed in such kind of thoughts. He saw some villagers going towards thetemple. They were carrying Prasad intheir hands. "Since Gunanidhi was hungry, he followed them and afterreaching the temple he sat at the main gate of the temple. In the night, afterthe accomplishment of the Pujan, the devotees went to sleep. Gunanidhi enteredthe premise of the temple. The flame of the lamp was gradually becoming dim asthe result of which he could not see properly. He tore some pieces of cloth, hewas wearing and made a thick wick and put it in the lamp. Now the light wassufficient to enable him to see whatever had been offered to the deity.""He carried as much fruits and other eatables as possible and tried tosneak out from the temple. Unfortunately, he dashed against a devotee who wokeup and chased him - shouting thief-thief." "Hearing his cries all theother devotees woke up and caught Gunanidhi. He was given such a nice thrashingthat proved to be fatal and as a result Gunanidhi died." The Yamadut'sarrived to take his soul to yamloka. But right then, the Shivaganas arrived andprevented the Yamadutas from carrying his soul. They informed the Yamdutas thatGunanidhi was entitled for Shivaloka as he had devoutly observed the Shivaratrifast, had listened to the tales of Shiva and lighted up the lamp which wasabout to go off. The Shivaganas also informed the Yamdutas that, in his nextbirth Gunamidhi would become the king of Kalinga." "In this wayGunanidhi attained to Shivaloka.

In his next birth he was born as a son of kingArindam- the king of Kalinga. He was named as Dama." "When he wasstill young, his father Arindam died. So Dama succeeded as the king of Kalinga.He renovated all the Shiva-temples, which came under his jurisdiction andpassed a stricture which made the worship of lord Shiva compulsory for all thesubjects. By the blessings of lord Shiva, he became the king of Alkapuri andwas known as Kubera."

Shiva Blesses Gunanidhi
"During the Padma kalpa, Sage Vishrawa wasborn to sage Pulastya- the manasputra of lord Brahma. Vishrawa's son -Vishrawan ruled over Alkapuri for a long time. This city was constructed by thedeity Vishwakarma. Vishrawan was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.""During the kalpa named Meghawahan,Gunanidhi did a tremendous penance for ten lack years. As a result of this penance his bodywas reduced to skeleton." "Lord Shiva became very pleased with himand appeared before him, accompanied by his consort Parvati. He told Gunanidhito ask for any boon, which will be fulfilled." "When Gunanidhi heardShiva's Voice he opened his eyes, but his eyes were dazzled by the sheerradiance of lord Shiva. He requested Shiva to restore the power of sight in hiseyes. Shiva blessed him, as a result of which he was now able to see the divinesight of lord Shiva.
Kuber had not seen Goddess Parvati before and was astounded by the splendourand beauty of Goddess Parvati who was bedecked with jewels. Goddess Parvatimistook Kuber’s staring for evil intention and she cursed that let one of his eyesburst. Kuber was now left with one eye and he explained that he had no evilintention and he had starred as he had not seen such fine gold jewellery before.Goddess Parvati realized her mistake and immediately the one eye that Kuber hadlost grew but remained smaller than the other one. Shiva also made Kuber one ofthe Ashta Dikpalas and he guards the northern direction.
Goddess Parvati made him the god of wealth and material possessions."LordShiva then blessed Gunanidhi to become the king of the kings. He also assuredhim that he will always be present in the vicinity of Alkapuri. After blessing Gunanidhi,- both Shiva and Parvati went to a place called Vaishveshwar. Kailash Mountainwas situated near AlkaNagri.
Shiva goes to Kailash.
WhenRudra - the Ansha of the Almighty Brahma, heard about the tremendous penance,Kubera was doing he started to play his 'damaru' (drum), the sound of whichreached all the three worlds. Rudra then reached the place where Kubera wasdoing penance." "Hearing the sound of his damaru, all the deitiesincluding Brahma, Vishnu and Sadashia appeared before him." "WhenKubera saw lord Rudra before himself, he offered his seat to him and worshippedhim. He also worshipped the other deities. Rudra was so pleased with Kuberathat he decided to stay near him. He called Vishwakarma and ordered him toconduct his abode at Kailash Mountain, so that he could live in the vicinity ofhis great devotee-Kubera. Kubera constructed a beautiful city as per hisinstruction. An auspicious moment was chosen and Shiva went to live at theKailash mountain. He was coroneted by the deities." Brahmaji in this way told Narada about Shiva's departure to Kailash mountain.
Kubera Gayathri Mantra:

Om Yaksha Rajaya Vidhmaya

Alikadeesaya Deemahe

Tanna Kubera Prechodayath.

It is believed thatchanting this mantras 108 times daily attracts Wealth and prosperity. One mayalso place a Sri Lakshmi Kubera Yantra in the Puja room for better results.

May Lord Shiva Bless youAll.