THE STORY OF LORD GANESH AND LORD KUBERA

In Hindu mythology, Lord Ganesha is revered as the deity of wisdom, knowledge, and prosperity. His distinctive appearance, characterized by an elephant head and a human body, makes him one of the most iconic figures among the gods. As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, it’s a fitting time to reflect on a lesser-known tale that highlights Ganesha's wisdom and the importance of humility—a tale involving his insatiable appetite and an encounter with Lord Kubera, the god of wealth.

The Grandeur of Lord Kubera

Lord Kubera, celebrated as the Supreme Lord of Wealth and the Treasurer of the Gods, epitomizes affluence in Hindu mythology. His golden palace, brimming with treasures, makes him a symbol of prosperity. Business owners and shopkeepers often turn their devotion toward Kubera, seeking to amass wealth. In a grand display of his wealth, Kubera decided to host an opulent feast at his palace, inviting numerous deities, including Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Kubera’s Invitation to Kailash

With pride in his vast wealth, Lord Kubera personally journeyed to Kailash, the sacred abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, to invite them to his grand feast. However, upon his arrival, he found Lord Shiva deep in meditation, unable to leave his divine contemplation. Instead, Shiva suggested that young Ganesha attend the feast on his behalf.

Ganesha’s Arrival at the Palace

Lord Ganesha, embodying wisdom and innocence, arrived at Kubera’s opulent palace, where the wealth of the god of affluence was on full display. Kubera eagerly sought to impress Ganesha with the grandeur of his palace, luxurious furnishings, and golden utensils. The highlight was a sumptuous feast of 108 diverse dishes, intended to dazzle the senses.

The Unquenchable Hunger of Ganesha

As the feast commenced, Ganesha’s insatiable appetite became apparent, much to Kubera’s astonishment. Despite the lavish array of food, Ganesha’s hunger seemed endless, devouring everything in sight with gusto. He even consumed raw provisions and anything he could find throughout the palace, leaving Kubera in a state of panic.

Kubera’s Desperation and Appeal to Lord Shiva

In desperation, Kubera rushed back to Kailash, seeking the wisdom of Lord Shiva. He recounted the events at his palace, describing Ganesha’s unquenchable hunger and the resulting chaos. Kubera was at a loss, realizing that his prideful display had led to this predicament.

Shiva’s Insight and Kubera’s Humility

Lord Shiva, with his boundless wisdom, understood that Kubera’s excessive pride was the root cause of Ganesha’s insatiable hunger. He explained that the grand feast, filled with ostentation, lacked the sincerity and humility that true hospitality requires. To remedy the situation, Shiva instructed Kubera to return to Ganesha with a simple bowl of puffed rice, lovingly prepared by Goddess Parvati—a humble offering that symbolized sincerity and humility.

Kubera’s Apology and Ganesha’s Grace

Kubera returned to his palace with the bowl of puffed rice, his demeanor now marked by humility and remorse. He offered the simple meal to Ganesha and apologized for his earlier prideful behavior. Ganesha, recognizing Kubera’s sincere transformation, accepted the meal with a gracious smile. At that moment, Ganesha’s hunger was finally sated, and peace was restored.

A Lesson for Ganesh Chaturthi

As we celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, this story serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of humility, sincerity, and the true essence of hospitality. It also highlights how Lord Ganesha, with his wisdom, teaches valuable life lessons that transcend material wealth and affluence. Just as Kubera learned, our devotion to deities like Ganesha should be marked by grace and humility, rather than pride and extravagance.

Celebrate this Ganesh Chaturthi with reverence, perhaps donning a Ganesh T-shirt, Krishna T-shirt, or a Hindu T-shirt to honor the wisdom and grace of Lord Ganesha. To buy a variety of hindu t shirts like shivji t shirt, hanuman t shirt, ganesh t shirt, Krishna t shirt, ram t shirt, bajrang bali t shirt etc. click here! Let this festival remind us of the deeper values that Lord Ganesha represents—values that are as relevant today as they were in ancient times.

[The images used in this blog post are not owned by Anime Devta, they are just for entertainment purposes]

~Mimansa Sharma