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Kubera & Lakshmi: Welcoming Wealth and Prosperity This Diwali – A Global Perspective
As the radiant glow of Diwali lamps brightens homes worldwide, the global NRI community unites to invoke the divine blessings of two mighty deities of prosperity—Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of wealth and fortune, and Lord Kubera, the celestial overseer of riches. While Lakshmi graces us with the flow of abundance, Kubera ensures its wise preservation and growth. Together, they create a harmonious balance of earning and safeguarding wealth, offering enduring prosperity to devotees across borders.
The Divine Legends
The Emergence of Goddess Lakshmi
Goddess Lakshmi arose during the cosmic churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), emerging on a lotus with ethereal splendor. As gods and demons marveled, she chose Lord Vishnu as her eternal consort, symbolizing divine harmony. Her presence, however, is fleeting where discord, laziness, or impurity prevail. She favors those who uphold cleanliness, diligence, and respect, which is why the global NRI community meticulously prepares homes for her arrival during Diwali.
A timeless tale recounts Lakshmi visiting a humble Brahmin’s home. Despite his poverty, his spotless abode and pure heart moved her. In reward for his devotion, she bestowed abundant blessings, transforming his life while reinforcing the values of humility and purity that drew her grace.
The Rise of Lord Kubera
Lord Kubera, ruler of the Yakshas and guardian of earthly treasures, earned his divine role through rigorous penance under sage Vishrava. Pleased by his devotion, Lord Brahma anointed him as the treasurer of the gods, entrusting him with the universe’s wealth. His golden city, Alaka, nestled in the Himalayas, and his celestial chariot, Pushpaka Vimana, reflect his grandeur.
A humbling lesson came when Kubera’s pride led him to host Lord Shiva. Sending his son Ganesha to escort Shiva, Kubera faced a surprise when Ganesha devoured the feast and still hungered. Realizing material wealth pales before divine power, Kubera sought Shiva’s blessing, learning that true richness lies in devotion, not accumulation.
The Synergy of Lakshmi and Kubera
Hindu philosophy teaches that wealth acquisition (Lakshmi’s gift) and its prudent management (Kubera’s domain) are inseparable. Lakshmi alone may bring fleeting riches, while Kubera without Lakshmi can hoard stagnant wealth. Their combined worship ensures a steady inflow and righteous multiplication of prosperity, resonating with the NRI community’s aspirations for financial success abroad.
Diwali Night Rituals for Global Devotees
Preparation (Before Sunset)
- Cleansing the Space: Thoroughly clean your home, focusing on the puja area, entrance, and corners. Remove clutter and broken items, wash the entrance, and craft rangoli designs to welcome prosperity.
- Setting Up the Altar: Place Lakshmi’s idol or image centrally, with Kubera to her right and Ganesha (worshipped first) nearby. Use a red or yellow cloth as the base, adorn with fresh lotus and marigold flowers, and set a kalash with water, mango leaves, and a coconut. Include wealth symbols like coins, jewelry, or business documents.
Auspicious Timing
Perform the puja during Pradosh Kaal (post-sunset) on Amavasya, ideally during Lakshmi Panchami (approximately 2-3 hours). Check the local panchang or consult a priest for precise timings suited to your region.
Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi
Step 1: Ganesh Puja (Obstacle Removal)
- Mantra:
- “Om Gan Ganapataye Namah”
- “Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarva Kaaryeshu Sarvada”
- Offerings: Red flowers, durva grass, modak, sandalwood paste, kumkum, incense, and camphor.
Step 2: Lakshmi Puja (Invoking Abundance)
- Dhyana: Visualize Lakshmi on a lotus, showering golden coins, draped in red silk, with elephants flanking her.
- Shodhasha Upachar (16 Offerings):
- Aavahanam: “Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Kamale Kamalalaye Praseed Praseed Om Shreem Hreem Shreem Mahalakshmayai Namah”
- Asanam, Paadyam, Arghyam, Aachamanam, Snanam, Vastram, Yagnopaveetam, Gandham, Pushpam, Dhupam, Deepam, Naivedyam, Tambulam, Neerajanam, Pradakshina & Namaskara.
- Mantras:
- Main: “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah” (108 times)
- Beej: “Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kreem Kleem Vitteshwaraaya Namah”
- Gayatri: “Om Mahalakshmyai Cha Vidmahe Vishnu Patnayi Cha Dheemahi Tanno Lakshmi Prachodayaat”
Step 3: Kubera Puja (Wealth Guardianship)
- Dhyana: Envision Kubera, adorned with jewels, holding a mace and money bag, seated on a throne.
- Invocation: “Om Yakshaya Kuberaya Vaishravanaya Dhana-Dhanyadi Pataye Dhana-Dhanya Samriddhim Me Dehi Dapaya Swaha”
- Offerings: Yellow flowers, sandalwood paste, yellow cloth, yellow sweets (e.g., besan ladoo), coins, currency, and account books.
- Mantras:
- Main: “Om Shreem Om Hreem Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitteshwaraaya Namah” (108 times)
- Gayatri: “Om Yaksheswaraaya Vidmahe Alakadhishaaya Dheemahi Tanno Kubera Prachodayaat”
- Dhana Prapti: “Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kubera Lakshmyai Namah”
- Ashtalakshmi: “Om Shreem Hreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitteshwaraaya Namah”
Step 4: Combined Lakshmi-Kubera Worship
- Mantra: “Om Hreem Shreem Kreem Shreem Kreem Kleem Shreem Kleem Vitteshwaraaya Namah Mahalakshmyai Cha Namah” (27 or 108 times)
- Visualize both deities blessing your global household with enduring wealth.
The Grand Aarti
Offer aarti with a five-wick ghee lamp, ringing bells, and sing: “Om Jai Lakshmi Mata, Maiya Jai Lakshmi Mata Tumko Nishdin Dhyavat, Hari Vishnu Vidhata”
Special Diwali Practices for NRIs
- Sacred Book Worship: Place business ledgers or documents near the deities, sprinkle with holy water, and apply kumkum for professional blessings.
- Coin Blessing: Offer coins or currency during puja, then keep them in your wallet or safe as “seed money.”
- Footprint Ritual: Draw Lakshmi’s footprints (rangoli or rice flour) from the entrance to the puja area, symbolizing her welcome.
- 21 Diyas: Light 21 earthen lamps around your home—entrance, windows, corners, and puja space—keeping them lit as long as possible.
- Open Doors: Keep main doors and windows open during puja to invite Lakshmi’s energy.
- Overnight Lamp: Maintain one diya burning all night to signify divine presence.
Special Offerings
- Panchamrit: Mix 1 cup milk, 2 tbsp yogurt, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp ghee; offer and distribute as prasad.
- Sweets: Kheer, halwa, ladoos, fresh fruits, dry fruits, and nuts.
Concluding the Puja
- Pradakshina: Circle the altar clockwise 3 or 7 times.
- Pushpanjali: Offer flowers with a bow.
- Kshama Prarthana: Seek forgiveness for ritual errors.
- Prasad Distribution: Share blessed food with family and neighbors.
- Dakshina: Donate to the needy, a key Diwali tradition.
Post-Puja Observances
- Keep the entrance lamp burning.
- Stay awake, engaging in devotional music, bhajans, or light games.
- Share sweets and gifts with the community.
The Five Days of Diwali
- Dhanteras: Focus on Kubera for new wealth.
- Naraka Chaturdashi: Purification.
- Diwali (Lakshmi Puja): Main worship.
- Govardhan Puja: Gratitude.
- Bhai Dooj: Family unity.
Guidelines for Attracting Blessings
What Attracts Prosperity: Cleanliness, hard work, generosity, gratitude, honesty, respect for money, early rising, and family harmony. What Repels Prosperity: Laziness, clutter, disrespect, dishonesty, stinginess, negativity, broken items, and a dark entrance.
Daily Practice Post-Diwali
- Morning Ritual: Light a diya, chant “Om Shreem Mahalakshmyai Namah” (21 times), and offer a flower.
- Friday Special: Wear clean clothes, light a ghee lamp, offer yellow flowers, chant mantras, and feed the needy.
- Wealth Area: Maintain a clean north/northeast corner with a Lakshmi-Kubera image and safe.
The Broader Significance
True prosperity, as blessed by Lakshmi and Kubera, includes:
- Dhana: Material wealth.
- Dhanya: Food abundance.
- Vidya: Knowledge.
- Santana: Healthy family.
- Aarogya: Health.
- Sukha: Happiness.
These deities grant not just riches but the wisdom to use them, health to enjoy them, and compassion to share them.
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 illuminate your life with prosperity, peace, and divine grace. May Lakshmi and Kubera bless the global NRI family with abundance and harmony.
Shubh Deepavali 2025!
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