Lakshmi Kubera Pooja is one of the auspicious festivals in India celebrated during the time of Diwali. Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of prosperity, and Lord Kubera, the god of wealth, are worshipped together to ease any financial difficulties and gain prosperity.
While Goddess Laksmi is said to have been born from the ocean of milk, along with other riches, when the Devas churned the ocean, Kubera is said to be the grandson of Pulastya and the son of Vishrava and his wife Ilavida.
Follow this blog to learn more about the significance of Lakshmi Kuber Pooja.
The significance of Lakshmi and Kuber
Both Goddess Lakshmi and Kuber hold significance in Hindu mythology, with myriad stories, insights, and lessons surrounding them.
Goddess Lakshmi
Lakshmi is the supreme goddess in Vasishnavism, and she is the deity of prosperity, fortune, wealth, abundance, beauty, and power. She is part of Tridevi alongside Goddess Parvati and Goddess Saraswathi.
Goddess Lakshmi is depicted as beautiful and elegantly dressed, either in a standing position or seated in a Lotus. She holds a lotus in her hand, which symbolizes self-knowledge and spiritual liberation. Her arms represent the four virtues that humanity must hold and achieve in life. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha.
The birth of Goddess Lakshmi traces back to the time when Sage Durvasa met Lord Indra. The sage, with a lot of reverence for the King of Gods, Indra, offered him a garland. Lord Indra gave the garland to his elephant, Airavat, who in turn threw the garland into the earth. Sage Durvasa was taken aback and angered by their arrogant actions. Lord Indra cursed him as follows.
“You have an inflated ego, and in your arrogance, you have not respected the garland, which was the dwelling of the goddess of fortune. Your kingdom will be ruined.”
After the sage left angrily, Indra returned to Amaravati, the capital, only to find the changes taking place. The gods lose their vigor, vegetables die, and people’s minds get corrupted and engage in sensory pleasures. Everyone’s desires are let loose with no reins, and soon catastrophe strikes Amaravati. During this phase of weakness, demons invaded and defeated the gods. This also signifies that evil and goodness reside within humans, and we should have self-control over our desires to lead a virtuous life.
Not knowing what to do after the defeat, the gods went to Lord Vishnu. He suggested churning the ocean, a legendary moment in Hindy mythology. Soon, using the serpent Vasuki and the mount Mandara, the demons and gods churned the ocean of milk. Soon, riches, valuables, and even the poison that Lord Shiva consumed, Halhala, came to the surface. The gods regained their power and attained immortality.
Among the riches was a beautiful woman holding a blossom. She was the deity of prosperity, both material and spiritual, beauty, and fortune. Goddess Lakshmi chose Lord Vishnu as her consort. Along with the avatars of Lord Vishnu, Maa Lakshmi takes an avatar. When Lord Vishnu was Krishna, she was Radha. When Lord Vishnu was Rama, she was Sita.
Lord Kuber
Lord Kubera is the king of the Yaksha clan and is also the god of material wealth. He is usually depicted with a plump body, adorned with precious jewels, a complexion of lotus leaves, and a dwarfish structure. With broken teeth, three legs, three heads, and four arms, he is depicted holding a money bag in his hand filled with gold coins. He is also regarded as the guard of all the treasures of the universe and the protector of the North.
Lord Kubera is a descendant of Lord Brahma, born to Vishrava and Illavida, and is said to be the half-brother of Ravana, Kumbhakarna, Vibhishana, and Surpanakha.
When it came to his wealth, Lord Kubera paid severe penance to Lord Shiva. Pleased by his penance and devotion, Lord Shiva asked Kubera for his wish to grant a boon. He wished to have fame, a name, and recognition.
“I want name and fame, and that is possible only if you have a lot of wealth. Everyone is a slave to wealth, and I want to be so wealthy that I should command anyone’s wealth and prosperity. Then, people will give me respect.“.
So, Lord Shiva granted the boon and made him the Dhanpathi, God of wealth.
As the story goes, Kubera once visited Himalaya, the abode of Lord Shiva. When he laid eyes on Maa Parvati, he was awe-struck by her beauty and looked at her with lust. Angered by his behavior, Maa Parvati destroyed one of his eyes. Lord Kubera later pleaded that his intentions weren’t wrong, and Goddess Parvati restored his eye, but it was still a little smaller than the other eye.
Preparing for the pooja
Follow the below steps to prepare for Lakshmi Kuber Pooja and invoke the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kuberar.
- Clean your house, as Goddess Lakshmi is said to visit houses that are clean and decorate the Pooja area with rangoli, flowers, and lamps.
- Next, place pictures or idols of Lakshmi and Kuberar, and place a kalash with water and mango leaves around the rim and a coconut on top.
- Offer fruits and vegetables to the gods.
- Lights the diyas, camphor
- Place Panchamrit, a mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar.
- Place coins, currency notes, or anything that is of material value.
- Chant mantras (Lakshmi and Kubera mantras) to invoke blessings and do aarti.
- Distribute Prasad to family members and those who are in need.
- Seek blessings from elders and look forward to wealth and prosperity.
Conclusion
By performing the Lakshmi Kubera Pooja with devotion and sincerity, you can invoke the blessings of prosperity, abundance, and happiness in your home.
This year, receive the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera by buying yourself exquisite-looking Lakshmi Kubera paintings, sketched in the traditional Tanjore style. These paintings are royal-looking, adorned with 22-carat gold and precious stones.
May Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera bless you with wealth and success.
Visit our website to explore beautiful Tanjore Paintings.