Lord Kuber

Lord Kuber

Pratihara Dynasty, 10th Century CE, Bhopal Museum

            Lord Kuber is the Hindu God of Wealth.  He is an interesting character in Hindu pantheon.  For, He is step-brother of Ravan. He is said to live underground and not in the sky as other gods do. He is a demi-god. It is easy to recognise him as he has a protruding belly (as in this sculpture ),  usually carries a bag full of money or gems; the bag being made of a mongoose skin. 

          He lives underground as precious metals and gems are found under the earth. Mongoose has the ability to burrow under the ground. Hence, bag full of gems and money-- bag made of mongoose skin. 

           Kuber symbolises "arth" ( economics); the second goal of Hindu life. The ancient Hindus recognised the importance of trade and commerce, of money. Unlike the Greeks and Romans, we have two dieties for wealth: Goddess Lakshmi and Kuber. But while Goddess Lakshmi symbolises the benign aspect of money,  Kuber depicts the voracious or the greedy aspect of money. He is thus shown as indulging in drinking as well: "drunk" with the power of money. His arrogance is also well known. Thus His character is also a warning to the people, not to be arrogant about one's wealth.

            To acquire wealth is certainly a laudable goal. But to be greedy and arrogant and ostentatious are wrong characteristics in a person. Wealth which is hoarded is called "Kulakshmi", a sister of Goddess Lakshmi who personifies poverty and pestilence. For money which is locked up is useless to the society.  Like blood, money too should circulate to keep the society healthy. Money spent on charity, on the poor and the downtrodden, earns good deeds or Karma. Money spent on oneself is said to be wasted. It reflects egoism and arrogance. Money spent wisely is a boon, spent foolishly, it is a curse. 

           Kuber symbolises both the be aspects of arth, money: the beneficial and the destructive.  This is why He is a demi-god, and yet related to Ravan.