Kubera & Lakshmi: Inviting Wealth and Prosperity This Diwali

The Divine Union of Wealth and Abundance

As the lamps illuminate our homes this Diwali, we invoke not just one but two powerful deities of prosperity—Goddess Lakshmi, the bestower of wealth and fortune, and Lord Kubera, the celestial treasurer and guardian of riches. While Lakshmi represents the flowing grace of abundance, Kubera symbolizes the preservation and righteous management of wealth. Together, they form the perfect balance of acquisition and retention, blessing devotees with lasting prosperity.

The Divine Stories

The Legend of Goddess Lakshmi

Born from the churning of the cosmic ocean (Samudra Manthan), Goddess Lakshmi emerged seated on a lotus, radiating divine brilliance. The gods and demons watched in awe as she rose from the milky waters, holding lotus flowers in her hands. Lord Vishnu immediately recognized her as his eternal consort, and she chose him as her divine partner.

Lakshmi’s restlessness is legendary. She does not remain where there is discord, laziness, or uncleanliness. She blesses those who maintain purity in thought and action, who work diligently, and who treat others with respect. This is why devotees clean their homes thoroughly before Diwali—to welcome her divine presence.

The story goes that once Lakshmi visited a poor Brahmin’s home. Though he had nothing to offer, his home was spotlessly clean, and his heart was pure. Impressed by his devotion despite poverty, Lakshmi blessed him abundantly. From that day, his life transformed, but he never forgot the values of humility and cleanliness that attracted the Goddess.

The Legend of Lord Kubera

Kubera, the Lord of Yakshas and guardian of Earth’s treasures, earned his position through intense penance. Born to sage Vishrava, Kubera performed severe austerities to please Lord Brahma. Satisfied with his devotion, Brahma appointed him as the treasurer of the gods and guardian of all wealth in the universe.

Kubera’s magnificent city, Alaka, located in the Himalayas, is said to be constructed entirely of gold and precious gems. He possesses the Pushpaka Vimana, a celestial flying chariot, and distributes wealth to the deserving under divine guidance.

One famous tale teaches humility: When Kubera once became proud of his wealth, he invited Lord Shiva to a feast. He sent his son Ganesha to escort Shiva, but Shiva sent Ganesha alone to teach Kubera a lesson. Young Ganesha consumed all the food prepared for the feast and was still hungry. Terrified, Kubera realized that material wealth means nothing before divine power. Lord Shiva then blessed him, teaching that true wealth lies in devotion and humility, not mere accumulation.

Why Both Deities Together?

Hindu wisdom recognizes that earning wealth (Lakshmi’s blessing) and preserving it wisely (Kubera’s domain) are equally important. Lakshmi without Kubera leads to wealth that flows away as quickly as it comes. Kubera without Lakshmi represents blocked prosperity. Together, they ensure that wealth comes, stays, and multiplies righteously.

Complete Diwali Night Rituals

Preparation (Before Sunset)

Cleansing the Space:

• Deep clean your home, especially the puja area, entrance, and corners
• Remove clutter, broken items, and unnecessary things
• Wash the entrance and create rangoli designs
• Light the home with diyas and lamps in every corner

Setting Up the Altar:

• Place idols or pictures of Lakshmi in the center and Kubera to her right
• Add Lord Ganesha’s image (always worshipped first)
• Use a red or yellow cloth as the base
• Arrange fresh flowers, preferably lotus and marigolds
• Keep a kalash (pot) filled with water, topped with mango leaves and coconut
• Place wealth symbols: coins, jewelry, account books, business items

The Auspicious Timing

Diwali puja is performed during Pradosh Kaal (after sunset) on the new moon night (Amavasya). The most auspicious time is during Lakshmi Panchami, which typically lasts for about 2-3 hours. Consult a local pandit or panchang for the exact timing in your region.

Complete Puja Vidhi

Step 1: Ganesh Puja (First Worship)

Begin by worshipping Lord Ganesha to remove all obstacles:

Mantra:
"Om Gan Ganapataye Namah"
"Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha
Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada"

• Offer red flowers, durva grass, and modak (sweet)
• Apply sandalwood paste and kumkum
• Light incense and camphor

Step 2: Lakshmi Puja (Invoking the Goddess)

Dhyana (Meditation): Close your eyes and visualize Goddess Lakshmi seated on a lotus, showering golden coins, dressed in red silk, with elephants on either side.

Shodhasha Upachar (16 Steps of Worship):

1. Aavahanam (Invocation)"Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmayai Namah"
2. Asanam (Offering Seat) – Offer a flower at the deity’s feet
3. Paadyam (Washing Feet) – Offer water for washing feet
4. Arghyam (Offering Water) – Offer water in a conch or small vessel
5. Aachamanam (Offering Water for Sipping) – Offer water three times
6. Snanam (Holy Bath) – Sprinkle water mixed with honey, milk, and curd
7. Vastram (Offering Clothes) – Offer red or yellow cloth/saree
8. Yagnopaveetam (Sacred Thread) – Offer with flowers
9. Gandham (Sandalwood Paste) – Apply sandalwood paste
10. Pushpam (Flowers) – Offer fresh lotus, roses, and marigolds
11. Dhupam (Incense) – Light incense sticks
12. Deepam (Lamp) – Light ghee lamp in a circular motion
13. Naivedyam (Food Offering) – Offer sweets, fruits, kheer, and panchamrit
14. Tambulam (Betel Leaves) – Offer betel leaves with nuts
15. Neerajanam (Aarti) – Perform aarti with camphor
16. Pradakshina & Namaskara (Circumambulation & Prostration)

Lakshmi Mantras to Chant:

Main Mantra (108 times):

"Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah"

Beej Mantra:

"Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kreem Kleem Vitteshwaraaya Namah"

Lakshmi Gayatri:

"Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe
Vishnu Patnayi Cha Dheemahi
Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayaat"

Step 3: Kubera Puja (Invoking the Treasurer)

Dhyana (Meditation): Visualize Lord Kubera with a large belly, adorned with jewels, holding a mace and a money bag, seated on a throne.

Kubera Invocation:

"Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya
Dhana-Dhanyadi Pataye
Dhana-Dhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha"

Offerings to Kubera:

• Yellow flowers and garlands
• Sandalwood paste
• Yellow cloth
• Offerings of yellow sweets (like besan ladoo)
• Coins and currency notes
• Your account books or wallet (for blessing)

Kubera Mantras:

Main Mantra (108 times):

"Om Shreem Om Hreem Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem
Vitteshwaraaya Namah"

Kubera Gayatri:

"Om Yaksheswaraaya Vidmahe
Alakadhishaaya Dheemahi
Tanno Kubera Prachodayaat"

Kubera Dhana Prapti Mantra:

"Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kubera Lakshmyai Namah"

Special Kubera Ashtalakshmi Mantra:

"Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitteshwaraaya Namah"

Step 4: Combined Lakshmi-Kubera Worship

This unique ritual invokes both deities together for complete prosperity:

"Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kreem Kleem Shreem Kleem
Vitteshwaraaya Namah
Mahalakshmyai Cha Namah"

Chant this mantra 27 or 108 times while visualizing both deities blessing your family with wealth that arrives and stays.

The Grand Aarti

Perform aarti to both deities with a five-wick lamp (panchmukhi diya) filled with ghee. Ring bells throughout the aarti. Sing traditional Lakshmi aarti:

"Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata
Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Vishnu Vidhata"

Special Diwali Night Practices

1. The Sacred Book Worship:

• Place business ledgers, account books, or important documents near the deities
• Sprinkle them with holy water and flowers
• Apply a small tilak of kumkum
• This symbolizes seeking blessings for prosperity in your profession

2. Coin and Wealth Blessing:

• Place a few coins or currency in the puja area
• After the puja, keep these blessed coins in your wallet or cash box
• They act as “seed money” that attracts more wealth

3. The Footprint Ritual:

• Create Lakshmi’s footprints (rangoli or with rice flour) from your entrance to the puja room
• This symbolically guides the Goddess into your home

4. The 21 Diyas:

• Light at least 21 earthen lamps around your home
• Place them at the entrance, windows, corners, near water sources, and the puja room
• Keep them burning as long as possible

5. Keep Doors and Windows Open:

• During the puja time, keep main doors and some windows open
• This allows Lakshmi’s energy to enter freely

6. The Overnight Lamp:

• Keep at least one diya or lamp burning throughout the night
• This represents the constant presence of divine energy

Special Diwali Night Offerings

Panchamrit Recipe:

• 1 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons yogurt
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon ghee Mix and offer to the deities, then distribute as prasad.

Traditional Sweets for Offering:

• Kheer (rice pudding with milk and sugar)
• Halwa (any variety)
• Ladoos (besan or coconut)
• Fresh seasonal fruits
• Dry fruits and nuts

Concluding the Puja

1. Pradakshina: Circle the altar clockwise three or seven times
2. Pushpanjali: Offer flowers with both hands while bowing
3. Kshama Prarthana: Ask for forgiveness for any mistakes in the ritual
4. Prasad Distribution: Share the blessed food with all family members and neighbors
5. Dakshina: Donate to the poor and needy (extremely important on this night)

Post-Puja Observances

Throughout Diwali Night:

• Keep your main entrance lamp burning
• Avoid sleeping early; stay awake for prosperity
• Play soft devotional music or bhajans
• Families often play cards or board games with small stakes, symbolizing Lakshmi’s playfulness with wealth
• Share sweets and gifts with neighbors

The Five Days of Diwali Significance:

1. Dhanteras: Worship Kubera specifically for new wealth
2. Naraka Chaturdashi: Cleansing and purification
3. Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Main worship of both deities
4. Govardhan Puja: Gratitude and humility
5. Bhai Dooj: Family bonds and protection

Important Guidelines for Blessings

What Attracts Lakshmi and Kubera:

1. Cleanliness and Order: Spotless homes and organized spaces
2. Hard Work: Diligence and sincere effort in your profession
3. Generosity: Sharing wealth with those in need
4. Gratitude: Appreciating what you have
5. Honesty: Earning through righteous means
6. Respect for Money: Not wasting or disrespecting wealth
7. Early Rising: Waking before sunrise shows discipline
8. Family Harmony: Peace and love among family members

What Repels Prosperity:

1. Laziness and procrastination
2. Dirt, clutter, and disorder
3. Disrespect toward elders
4. Dishonest earnings
5. Stinginess and miserliness
6. Constant complaints and negativity
7. Broken or non-functional items in the home
8. Keeping the main entrance dark

Daily Practice After Diwali

To maintain the blessings received:

Morning Ritual:

Light a small diya near Lakshmi's picture
Chant: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah" (21 times)
Offer a fresh flower

Friday Special (Lakshmi’s Day):

• Wear clean clothes
• Light a ghee lamp
• Offer yellow flowers
• Chant Lakshmi mantras
• Feed the hungry if possible

Keep Your Wealth Area Sacred:

• The north or northeast corner is ideal for wealth
• Keep this area clean and clutter-free
• Place a small Lakshmi-Kubera image here
• Keep your safe or valuables in the north

The Deeper Significance

This Diwali, as you invoke both Lakshmi and Kubera, remember that true prosperity encompasses:

• Dhana: Material wealth
• Dhanya: Food abundance
• Vidya: Knowledge and wisdom
• Santana: Healthy progeny
• Aarogya: Good health
• Sukha: Happiness and peace

The deities bless us not just with money, but with the wisdom to use it well, the health to enjoy it, and the compassion to share it.

A Closing Prayer

"Om Sarvabadha Vinirmukto, Dhan Dhanyan Sutanvitah
Manushyo Matprasaden, Bhavishyati Na Sanshayah"

Om Shreem Om Hreem Om Kubera Lakshmyai Namah
Om Tat Sat

May this Diwali bring divine light to your life, prosperity to your home, and peace to your heart. May Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Kubera shower their eternal blessings upon you and your loved ones.

Shubh Deepavali!

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