Kubera
God of Wealth
The treasurer of the gods and king of the Yakshas, guardian of all the world's riches. He is also Ravana's half-brother - and Lanka was originally HIS city!
- Sanskrit/Telugu name: కుబేరుడు
- Also known as: Vaishravana, Dhanapati, Lord of Yakshas
- Vehicle (vahana): Pushpaka Vimana (flying palace)
- Symbols: Money bag, Gada, Mongoose spitting jewels
Story
Kubera is the banker of the universe - every gem, every gold coin, every treasure buried in the earth is in his care. He is shown as a cheerful, round-bellied king with a money bag, and he rules the Yakshas, magical beings who guard hidden treasure. Here's the twist kids love: Kubera and Ravana are half-brothers, sons of the same sage father, Vishrava. Kubera originally ruled the golden city of Lanka and owned the Pushpaka Vimana, a flying palace that traveled wherever its owner wished. But his half-brother Ravana grew jealous and powerful, drove Kubera out, and took both the city and the flying vimana - the very vimana Ravana later used to kidnap Sita. Kubera moved north and built the splendid city of Alaka in the Himalayas, becoming the guardian of the northern direction. Telugu families know him well: the famous legend says Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala borrowed from Kubera for his wedding to Padmavati, and devotees' offerings in the Tirumala hundi help repay that loan even today!
Fun fact
The offerings at Tirumala are lovingly explained as EMI payments - legend says Venkateswara is still repaying his wedding loan from Kubera, one devotee's offering at a time.
Family and connections
- Sibling: Ravana (half-brother)