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Kubera ((サンスクリット:कुबेर), Pali/later Sanskrit: Kuvera) also spelt Kuber, is the Lord of Wealth and the god-king of the semi-divine Yakshas in Hindu mythology. He is regarded as the regent of the North (''Dik-pala''), and a protector of the world (''Lokapala''). His many epithets extol him as the overlord of numerous semi-divine species and the owner of the treasures of the world. Kubera is often depicted with a plump body, adorned with jewels, and carrying a money-pot and a club. Originally described as the chief of evil spirits in Vedic-era texts, Kubera acquired the status of a ''Deva'' (god) only in the ''Purana''s and the Hindu epics. The scriptures describe that Kubera once ruled Lanka, but was overthrown by his demon stepbrother Ravana, later settling in the city of Alaka in the Himalayas. Descriptions of the "glory" and "splendours" of Kubera's city are found in many scriptures. Kubera has also been assimilated into the Buddhist and Jain pantheons. In Buddhism, he is known as Vaisravana, the patronymic used of the Hindu Kubera and is also equated with Pañcika, while in Jainism, he is known as Sarvanubhuti. ==Iconography== Kubera is often depicted as a dwarf, with fair complexion and a big belly. He is described as having three legs, only eight teeth, one eye, and being adorned with jewels. He is sometimes depicted riding a man.〔〔 The description of deformities like the broken teeth, three legs, three heads and four arms appear only in the later ''Puranic'' texts. Kubera holds a mace, a pomegranate or a money bag in his hand.〔 He may also carry a sheaf of jewels or a mongoose with him. In Tibet, the mongoose is considered a symbol of Kubera's victory over Nāgas—the guardians of treasures.〔 Kubera is usually depicted with a mongoose in Buddhist iconography.〔 In the ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'', Kubera is described as the embodiment of both ''Artha'' ("wealth, prosperity, glory") and ''Arthashastra''s, the treatises related to it—and his iconography mirrors it. Kubera's complexion is described as that of lotus leaves. He rides a man—the state personified, adorned in golden clothes and ornaments, symbolizing his wealth. His left eye is yellow. He wears an armour and a necklace down to his large belly. The ''Vishnudharmottara Purana'' further describes his face to be inclined to the left, sporting a beard and mustache, and with two small tusks protruding from the ends of his mouth, representing his powers to punish and to bestow favours. His wife Riddhi, representing the journey of life, is seated on his left lap, with her left hand on the back of Kubera and the right holding a ''ratna-patra'' (jewel-pot). Kubera should be four-armed, holding a ''gada'' (mace: symbol of ''dandaniti''—administration of justice) and a ''shakti'' (power) in his left pair, and standards bearing a lion—representing ''Artha'' and a ''shibika'' (a club, the weapon of Kubera). The ''nidhi'' treasures Padma and Shankha stand beside him in human form, with their heads emerging from a lotus and a conch respectively. The ''Agni Purana'' states that Kubera should be installed in temples as seated on a goat, and with a club in his hand.〔 Kubera's image is prescribed to be that of gold, with multi-coloured attributes.〔 In some sources, especially in Jain depictions, Kubera is depicted as a drunkard, signified by the "nectar vessel" in his hand. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kubera」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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