Ganesha and Kubera

8/12/2019 Ganesha and Kubera

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Ganesha and Kubera

In Hindu Mythology, Kubera is the God of Wealth. He

controlled all the riches in the world. He was also one of theprotectors of the world [Lok Pala]. Kubera lived in the

Himalaya mountains with Shiva and Parvati as hisneighbours.

Kubera wanted to show off to the world how rich and

hospitable he was. So he organized lavish parties and made

sure everyone attended it. Though all the Devas came and

appreciated Kubera's palace and his hospitality, he was notsatisfied. Only if I get Shiva and the Goddess to my parties,

would people praise me even more...When people realize thateven the great God and the Goddess looked at my palace in

awe, well people would respect me even more....

With this in mind, he went to Kailash Shiva's home. As heentered the home, he saw the simple surroundings and

smirked.Even the Great God and the Goddess lives here inthe open mountains, whereas I live in a lavish palace...Being

such a great God can't he not even provide a better home for

his family....Why, the living room of my palace is larger than

Shiva's home...

Shiva and Parvati were sitting and talking, when Kubera came

inside. He bowed before the Lord and the Goddess.

'What brings you here, Kubera?' Shiva asked looking atKubera with a smile.

Kubera spoke slowly, 'My Lord! I have organized a party....'

Parvati spoke interrupting Kubera, 'Party? What is the

occasion Kubera?'
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Kubera was stumped. He fumbled as he stared at the Goddess.He could not explain that he had given a party merely to show

off how wealthy he was...That would be so embarrassing...

'Goddess! I... I wanted to celebrate....celebrate life...because itis so enjoyable....So I am throwing a party....' Kubera said

rather lamely.

Shiva looked at Parvati. They both understood immediatelythat Kubera had kept the party for no reason other than to

show off his wealth. Parvati nodded her head at Shiva and

smiled. She looked at Kubera.

'Kubera! I would be so glad to come with you....its just that

we are so busy...' Parvati said firmly.

'My Lord! My Goddess! I know you are so busy. Please Iorganized this party so that you could come and

relax....Please...' Kubera folded his hands and looked at

Parvati desperately.

'Well Kubera! Right now my son Ganesha is going to come

home. He has to eat...I will have to feed him....' Parvati said

with a quiet smile which Kubera missed.

Kubera laughed, 'Oh my Goddess! Then please come to my

party with Ganesha so that you can all have dinner there.'

Parvati smiled at Kubera, who had not realized that he hadwalked into a trap.

Shiva spoke, 'Well Ganesha likes parties and he likeseating...Why don't you take him with you to the party. Yousee both of us have other things to do now....'

Kubera beamed and nodded.If I cannot get the Lord and the

Goddess, Ganesha would be great!


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Just then Ganesha returned home, 'Mother! I am home! I am

hungry! Whats for dinner....How was your....'

Ganesha saw his parents talking with Kubera. He looked athis mother who was looking at him with twinkling,

mischievous eyes. He silently raised his eyes as his mother

nodded towards Kubera. Ganesha understood and greeted

Kubera.

'Welcome Kubera! What a splendid surprise! What are you

doing here?' Ganesha asked Kubera politely.

Kubera said, 'Sir! I had organized a party...'

Ganesha clapped his hands with glee, 'Party? I love

parties...But what is the occasion?' He asked as he frowned.

Both Shiva and Parvati refrained from looking at each other,

or they would have burst out laughing. Kubera said haltingly,

'Sir, I have a party for celebrating life...because it is soenjoyable...'

Ganesha looked at Kubera for a minute and immediately

understood everything. He then said, 'My parents are very

busy! I guess then I will have to come with you...'

Kubera beamed and nodded. Nodding to his parents, Ganesha

set off with Kubera. Soon both of them arrived at Kubera'spalace. Kubera arrived ans started, 'Sir, do you see thisfountain in the park...It is built by the most precious stones....'

'Kubera!' Ganesha said sternly, 'You heard me tell my motherI was hungry! Do you really think I can admire all these

things...' Ganesha asked waving his hands all over the palace,

'...with a hungry stomach...'


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Kubera flustered and shook his head. He summoned all hisservants. He said in a hurry. 'Quick lay out the plates and

bring out the food. Ganesha is going to eat the food with us...'

Kubera said smirking at Ganesha.How much could the littleelephant-headed boy eat?

Kubera was about to find out the answer to that question thehard way...

Ganesha said down and started eating the food placed before

him. It is customary to feed a person till he says he has had

enough.

Ganesha started eating all the food placed before him, the

food which was actually made for hundreds of people.However Ganesha wanted some more food and looked at

Kubera after the plate was empty. Kubera ordered his servants

to bring more food. The servants brought in some more food,

which Ganesha finished even before Kubera could blink. The

servants were getting apprehensive as they brought in the lastamount of food they had cooked. Kubera also watched thiswith mild apprehension, hoping Ganesha would get satisfiedwith this food.

After finishing his plate Ganesha still looked hungry. 'Food!'

He bellowed angrily. The servants flustered and whispered to

Kubera that the food in the palace was over. Looking at thefuriously eating Ganesha, the servants even dumped theuncooked food on his plate, which vanished into Ganesha's

stomach like the rest of the food!

Kubera was alarmed. 'Go to the surrounding villages and getsome food immediately!'

The servants and the soldiers ran out. In a hurry, they broughtsome food and laid it down before Ganesha. It too vanished


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inside Ganehsa's stomach, who was looking more and moreannoyed. 'Is this all you have? That was just an appetizer! I

want FOOD!' Ganesha yelled. As Kubera backed away with

fright.

Kubera said with a frightened tone, 'Sir! All my food is over.

The soldiers are going to get some food for you....'

'OVER!' Ganesha yelled, 'OVER! How could this muchquantity be enough for me? You cook so little and you called

the Lord, Goddess and me for dinner?' Ganesha looked more

and more furious with every second, 'Kubera! You promisedmy mother you would feed me! Now I am still hungry so I am

going to eat you...'

'Aaah!...' Kubera yelled as he ran out of the palace. He ran and

ran and ran straight to the only person who could protect him

from Ganesha.

Kubera ran to Kailash and flung himself on Shiva's andParvati's feet. 'My Lord and Goddess! Please save

me...Please...' Kubera struggled with his breath as he triedspeaking.

'What is the matter?' Shiva asked with a twinkling eye.

Kubera almost broke down crying, 'Lord please do not make

fun of me! I was vain and proud, thinking I could do anythingbecause I had all the money in the world....Please I have learnt

my lesson! I will never be proud of my wealth...Please...'

Kubera looked back to see if Ganesha was still behind

him...'Please save me from Ganesha!'

Shiva took some rice from his house and gave it to Kubera.'Go and give this to Ganesha, after you have given up your

pride!'


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'Sir! I gave him a lunch fit for hundreds of people and he isstill hungry! Do you really think this will satisfy him...'

Kubera wailed.

Shiva smiled, 'You gave Ganesha a feast with pride, to show-off your money, which will never satisfy him. If you give

Ganesha anything with a clean mind and pure heart, whateveryou give him will satisfy him....

Kubera looked at the three-eyed God, as if looking at him for

the first time understood how wise the Lord and the Goddess

were. He took the rice. Ganesha had entered the house andwas looking at Kubera. But when Ganesha saw the subdued

Kubera, Ganesha stopped and gave him a dazzling smile!

Kubera hesitatingly came forward and offered Ganesha the

rice. 'Sir! I hope this satisfies you!

Ganesha smiled and ate the rice without any question. He

patted his stomach and said to Kubera, 'I am full! Thank you!'

Kubera went home a wiser man as Ganesha enjoyed his feast

and had eaten to his full!

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Ganesha and Kubera