Kubera

**Kubera** is the Lord of Wealth and the king of the Yakshas in Hinduism. He is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club. According to the Pandava Quintet, he is also a member of the Council of Guardians. He is expected to make an appearance in Aru Shah and the City of Gold.

He is also one of the main characters in A Crown of Wishes.

## History

### Early descriptions and parentage

In the *Atharvaveda*—where he first appears—and the *Shatapatha Brahmana*, Kubera is the chief of evil spirits or spirits of darkness, and son of Vaishravana. The *Shatapatha Brahmana* calls him the Lord of thieves and criminals. In the *Manusmriti*, he becomes a respectable *Loka-pala*) and the patron of merchants. 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.

By this time, though still described as an *asura*, Kubera is offered prayers at the end of all ritual sacrifices. His titles, such as "best of kings" and "Lord of kings" (*Harivamsa* indicate 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 *Grihyasutra*s of Shankhayana and Hiranyakesin call him a god, and suggest offerings of meat, sesame seeds and flowers to him.

### In the Puranas & Epics

The *Purana*s and the epics *Mahabharata* and *Ramayana* grant Kubera unquestioned godhood. Kubera also acquired the status of the "Lord of riches" and the wealthiest Deva. He also becomes a *Loka-pala* and guardian (*dik-pala*) of the North direction, although he is also sometimes associated with the East. Kubera's status as a *Loka-pala* and a *dik-pala* 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 appear in his place. 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. 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.

Both the *Purana*s and the *Ramayana* feature the half-blood siblings of Kubera. Vishrava, Kubera's father, also married the *Rakshasa* (demon) princess Kaikesi, who mothered four *Rakshasa* children: Ravana, the chief antagonist of the Ramayana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana and Soorpanaka. 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. 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, but also *Prabha*, *Vasudhara* and *Vasu-sthali*. 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. Kubera is often described as a friend of Shiva in the epics. The *Padma Purana* says that Kubera prayed to Shiva for many years, and Shiva granted him the kingship of Yakshas.

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*; *Rakshasa*s; *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. 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. Another major tale in the scriptures records how Kubera entertained the sage Ashtavakra in his palace.

Kubera is the treasurer of the gods and overlord of the semi-divine *Yaksha*s, the *Guhyaka*s, *Kinnara*s and *Gandharva*s, 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 *Rakshasa*s also serve Kubera, however, some cannibalistic *Rakshasa*s are described to have sided with Ravana in the battle against Kubera. 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."). He is associated with fertility of the aquatic type.

The *Purana*s and the *Mahabharata* record that Kubera married Bhadra, or Kauberi, daughter of the demon Mura. She is also called *Yakshi* – a female Yaksha and *Charvi*. They had three sons: Nalakubara, Manigriva or Varna-kavi, and Mayuraja and a daughter called Minakshi.

## The Star-Touched Queen Duology

### A Crown of Wishes

Lord Kubera is seen hosting the Tournament of Wishes, in which Gauri and Vikram participate.

## The Pandava Quintet

### Aru Shah and the City of Gold

Lord Kubera is expected to make an appearance in Aru Shah and the City of Gold.