Lord Kuber

Lord Kuber

Bihar, 10th Century AD

    Lord Kuber has almost faded out of Hinduism. Yet once upon a time he was an important deity as is evident from his numerous sculptures in Ajanta Caves.

     A step-brother of Ravana, a 'daitya' (an evil spirit), Kuber was worshiped as a benevolent spirit as he is the god of wealth. Since he lives under the ground, he is the lord of gems, and if precious metals. Thus, the Mongoose is his vehicle. But unlike Goddess Lakshmi, he represents a man proud and arrogant about his wealth. His arrogance gets him into trouble.

      Here he is shown as a benevolent figure: smiling and looking down at his worshippers. He holds the Mongoose in his lap. Why the seven urns at his foot and why one of them has fallen is unclear, unless they represent the seven days of the week, hence Time. The transient nature of wealth.