Who Is Lord Kubera? God of Wealth, Family and Story

Who Is Lord Kubera?

Lord Kubera was born to the great sage Vishrava and Ilavida. He is one of the Ashtadikpalas, overseeing the North Direction, and is also known as Dhanapati (lord of wealth).

King of the Yakshas, He first ruled the golden city of Lanka and owned the flying chariot (Pushpaka Vimana) given by Lord Brahma, until his half-brother Ravana took both from Him. He then set up the city of Alakapuri in the Himalayas near Mount Kailash. In the Bhagavad Gita (10.23), Lord Krishna says that among the Yakshas and Rakshasas, He is Kubera, which shows Kubera’s high place in scripture.

As the treasurer of the Gods, he is so trusted that even Lord Venkateswara (Vishnu) is said to have taken a loan from him to marry Goddess Padmavati, which devotees believe they repay today through donations at Tirupati Temple.

Why Is Kubera Called the God of Wealth?

Lord Kubera’s story also varies across many Puranas and scriptures, but according to the Shiva Purana, Lord Kubera was born in the city of Kampilya to a Brahmin sage Yajnadutta. He was named Gunanidhi, meaning " one who has good attributes”. But as he grew up, he got indulged in the sinful act of gambling. He sold all his household essentials and his father's ring.

Seeing this, his father threw him out of the house. After days of hunger, one day Gunanidhi came across a Lord Shiva temple and saw a lot of delicious food kept inside the temple sanctum. To get that food, he joined the devotees, sang sacred mantras and songs of Lord Shiva with them, and after they fell asleep, he entered the temple sanctum.

The room was very dark, with just one oil lamp burning. To see, he wanted more light, so he tore a piece of dirty cloth from his clothes and made a wick from it, unintentionally performing a ritual on the holy day of Shivaratri. He got food, but in a hurry, he tipped over a sleeping devotee in the temple, waking everyone. Temple guards caught him and beat Him to death.

The story took a huge turn when the Yamadutas came to take his soul; Lord Shiva’s Bhutaganas stopped them, saying that, while alive, Gunanidhi unknowingly fasted all day, chanting Lord Shiva's mantras and lighting lamps for Him.

After this, Shiva guards took him to Shivaloka, where he served Lord Shiva and Parvati. In His service, he was reborn as King Dama, ruler of the Kingdom of Kalinga, who again performed severe penance and worshipped Lord Shiva and Parvati. Both appeared, but the King looked at Goddess Parvati with an impure eye, so Goddess Parvati destroyed his left eye to teach him a lesson, giving him the name Ekakshi Pingala.

But when Lord Shiva saw that his ego was finally gone, he granted him a boon, making him the God of Wealth and the Treasurer of the Gods. However, Kubera and Lakshmi are connected, as one manages and the other creates.

Lord Kubera’s Family and Connection with Ravana

Lord Kuber's family included his wife, Kauberi (also known as Bhadra), and four children: three sons, Nalakubara, Manibhadra, and Mayuraja, and one daughter, Meenakshi. In addition, Lord Kubera and Ravana were related because they shared the same father Sage Vishrava.

Rakshasa King Sumali, who lost Lanka and all his power to Kubera, planned to marry his daughter to the great sage Vishrava.

Kaikesi tried to charm Sage Vishrava with Her Beauty and asked Him to give Her Children of His lineage. Sage Vishrava knew her intent and told her that children conceived during an inappropriate time would be very cruel and would contain Rakshasa traits.

Kaikesi did not understand and begged Him, so they had four children together, namely Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Shurpanakha, and Vibhishana. This made them all half-brothers of Lord Kubera.

Lord Kubera’s Connection with Lord Shiva

Lord Kubera and Lord Shiva shared several moments, as Kubera is one of Lord Shiva's greatest devotees. One story says that once, Lord Shiva taught Lord Kubera a lesson in humility.

Long ago, Lord Kubera hosted a grand feast to show off his wealth to the gods and invited Lord Shiva. Knowing his unwavering pride, Lord Shiva declined the invitation and sent His young son, Lord Ganesha.

Lord Ganesha ate all the feast alone and began eating the household goods and furniture. Seeing this, Kubera sought Lord Shiva's help. Then, Lord Shiva gave Lord Ganesha a handful of roasted rice prepared with love by Parvati, which instantly satisfied him.

Lord Kubera realized that wealth and pride cannot please God; only humility and devotion can.

Conclusion

Lord Kubera’s story shows that devotion and humility matter more than riches. His journey from Gunanidhi to the Treasurer of the Gods, his bond with Lord Shiva, and his place beside Goddess Lakshmi teach that wealth is a sacred trust.

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