The Witchy Storyteller: K for Kubera’s Sabha

Namaste,

Yes, we are having another post on Sabhas (palace courtrooms). This time, it is Kubera’s Sabha. Kubera is a Yaksha (nature spirit) king and the god of wealth and prosperity. He holds the northern position and protects the world on that side.

Mahamuni Narada described Kubera’s Sabha as –

It is a hundred yojanas long and seventy yojanas broad (one yojana is ~8 km). It shines brighter than the moon and Mount Kaliasa. Supported by the Guhyakas (celestial beings and attends of Kubera), it seems to float in the sky, almost like suspending midair. The Sabha has many golden palaces and gem-studded walls. A wonderful heavenly scent fills the space.

Vaisravana-Kubera sits in the center, surrounded by his thousand wives. The place is filled with luxuries like plush carpets, footstools, decorated chairs, etc. Thousands of Gandharvas (Chitrasena, Tumburu, etc.), Kinnaras (part-human, part-bird celestial beings who loved music and dance), and Apsaras are members of his court and often found singing and dancing to their heart’s content.

Goddess Lakshmi can also be seen in Kubera’s Sabha. His son, Nalakubera, and thousands of spirits reside there. Many celestial rishis, including Narada, often visit Kubera’s Sabha. In fact, the rakshasa chief and other rakshasas and pichasas are also found here.

In short, anything to do with the spirit world can be seen in Kuebra’s Sabha since he is not only the God of Wealth but is also the King of Yakshas. Kubera looks much like the laughing Buddha with a rounded belly and pots of wealth.

By the way, do you know the story about the creation of the universe? Check it out here!

A Telugu socio-fantasy movie, Maya Bazar (2006), had SP Balasubramanyam as Kubera. It was probably the only (or one of the very few) films to have Kubera in a prominent role. Here’s a scene from it. (The vehicle Kubera rides is the Pushpaka Viman. In letter R, we'll see how it came to be in Ravana's possession.)