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Kubera Pooja

Lakshmi

Kubera is the treasurer of the gods and the guardian of wealth. Many families pray to him along with Lakshmi, especially on Dhanteras and Diwali. This page gives a simple Kubera Pooja and his story.

Pooja steps

Language

About

Lord Kubera is the king of the Yakshas and the keeper of the wealth of the gods. He guards the north direction. People pray to him together with Goddess Lakshmi: Lakshmi gives wealth, and Kubera is asked to guard it and to give us the wisdom to use it well. This pooja is a prayer for steady income, a safe home and a generous heart.

When to do it

Many families do it on Dhanteras (two days before Diwali) and on the evening of Diwali along with the Lakshmi Pooja. It can also be done on any Friday, or on the day you start a new business or a new job. Check your panchangam for the good time.

What you need

A picture, idol or yantra of Kubera (or of Lakshmi and Kubera together), a clean seat or plank, a lamp with ghee or oil, flowers, kumkum, turmeric, rice, incense and camphor. A few coins or a small bag of coins, a bowl for the offering, sweets (kheer or jaggery sweets are popular) and fruits.

Steps

1. Clean the place and sit facing north, the direction of Kubera. Place his picture or yantra on a clean plank or cloth.

2. Light the lamp and pray to Ganesha first. On Grivam you can read Shuklambaradharam.

3. Offer flowers, kumkum, turmeric and rice to Kubera. Place a few coins, or your cash box, safe or purse, near him.

4. Say the Kubera mantra slowly, 11 or 108 times if you can: Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhanadhanyadhipataye Dhanadhanyasamriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Svaha.

5. Pray to Lakshmi too. On Grivam you can read Mahalakshmi Ashtakam and Lakshmi Gayatri. On Diwali, see Diwali Lakshmi Pooja.

6. Offer the naivedyam and do the arati with camphor.

7. Close with a prayer to use your wealth with honesty and kindness. Share the prasad and give a little to someone in need.

Katha

Language

The story of Kubera

Kubera is the son of the sage Vishrava and the half-brother of Ravana. Pleased with his hard penance, Lord Brahma made him the guardian of the wealth of the world. His city, Alakapuri, lies in the north, and his flying chariot was the Pushpaka.

A famous story tells of his earlier birth. He was Gunanidhi, a young man who had fallen into bad company and stole even from his own family. One night, running from the guards, he reached a Shiva temple. There was no lamp, so to steal the offerings he burned a piece of his cloth for light, and the glow fell on the Shiva linga. The story says Shiva was pleased even by that small light, lit without any devotion. In the next birth Gunanidhi was born as Kubera, and Shiva became his close friend.

Another popular story is told at Tirupati. Lord Venkateswara is believed to have borrowed money from Kubera for his wedding with Padmavati, and devotees who give offerings at Tirumala feel they are helping to repay that loan.

These stories remind us that wealth is to be used with honesty and shared.

These stories are retold in simple words. Details differ between regions and families. For the full traditional method and the exact date, please ask your elders, priest, temple or panchangam.
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