Bhakti Arohan
ॐ

Kuber Chalisa

The chalisa of Kuber, treasurer of the gods and king of the yakshas, recited above all on Dhanteras and Diwali. It gives his family tree, his tapasya to Shiva, his army and his throne, and then a long list of everyday troubles it asks him to fix.

Kuber Chalisa

Original text

॥ दोहा ॥ जैसे अटल हिमालय, और जैसे अडिग सुमेर । ऐसे ही स्वर्ग द्वार पे, अविचल खडे कुबेर ॥ विघ्न हरण मंगल करण, सुनो शरणागत की टेर । भक्त हेतु वितरण करो, धन माया के ढेर ॥ ॥ चौपाई ॥ जै जै जै श्री कुबेर भण्डारी । धन माया के तुम अधिकारी ॥ तप तेज पुंज निर्भय भय हारी । पवन वेग सम सम तनु बलधारी ॥ स्वर्ग द्वार की करें पहरे दारी । सेवक इंद्र देव के आज्ञाकारी ॥ यक्ष यक्षणी की है सेना भारी । सेनापति बने युद्ध में धनुधारी ॥4॥ महा योद्धा बन शस्त्र धारैं । युद्ध करैं शत्रु को मारैं ॥ सदा विजयी कभी ना हारैं । भगत जनों के संकट टारैं ॥ प्रपितामह हैं स्वयं विधाता । पुलिस्ता वंश के जन्म विख्याता ॥ विश्रवा पिता इडविडा जी माता । विभीषण भगत आपके भ्राता ॥8॥ शिव चरणों में जब ध्यान लगाया । घोर तपस्या करी तन को सुखाया ॥ शिव वरदान मिले देवत्य पाया । अमृत पान करी अमर हुई काया ॥ धर्म ध्वजा सदा लिए हाथ में । देवी देवता सब फिरैं साथ में ॥ पीताम्बर वस्त्र पहने गात में । बल शक्ति पूरी यक्ष जात में ॥12॥ स्वर्ण सिंहासन आप विराजैं । त्रिशूल गदा हाथ में साजैं ॥ शंख मृदंग नगारे बाजैं । गंधर्व राग मधुर स्वर गाजैं ॥ चौंसठ योगनी मंगल गावैं । ऋद्धि-सिद्धि नित भोग लगावैं ॥ दास दासनी सिर छत्र फिरावैं । यक्ष यक्षणी मिल चंवर ढूलावैं ॥16॥ ऋषियों में जैसे परशुराम बली हैं । देवन्ह में जैसे हनुमान बली हैं ॥ पुरुषों में जैसे भीम बली हैं । यक्षों में ऐसे ही कुबेर बली हैं ॥ भगतों में जैसे प्रहलाद बड़े हैं । पक्षियों में जैसे गरुड़ बड़े हैं ॥ नागों में जैसे शेष बड़े हैं । वैसे ही भगत कुबेर बड़े हैं ॥20॥ कांधे धनुष हाथ में भाला । गले फूलों की पहनी माला ॥ स्वर्ण मुकुट अरु देह विशाला । दूर-दूर तक होए उजाला ॥ कुबेर देव को जो मन में धारे । सदा विजय हो कभी न हारे ॥ बिगड़े काम बन जाएं सारे । अन्न धन के रहें भरे भण्डारे ॥24॥ कुबेर गरीब को आप उभारैं । कुबेर कर्ज को शीघ्र उतारैं ॥ कुबेर भगत के संकट टारैं । कुबेर शत्रु को क्षण में मारैं ॥ शीघ्र धनी जो होना चाहे । क्युं नहीं यक्ष कुबेर मनाएं ॥ यह पाठ जो पढ़े पढ़ाएं । दिन दुगना व्यापार बढ़ाएं ॥28॥ भूत प्रेत को कुबेर भगावैं । अड़े काम को कुबेर बनावैं ॥ रोग शोक को कुबेर नशावैं । कलंक कोढ़ को कुबेर हटावैं ॥ कुबेर चढ़े को और चढ़ादे । कुबेर गिरे को पुन: उठा दे ॥ कुबेर भाग्य को तुरंत जगा दे । कुबेर भूले को राह बता दे ॥32॥ प्यासे की प्यास कुबेर बुझा दे । भूखे की भूख कुबेर मिटा दे ॥ रोगी का रोग कुबेर घटा दे । दुखिया का दुख कुबेर छुटा दे ॥ बांझ की गोद कुबेर भरा दे । कारोबार को कुबेर बढ़ा दे ॥ कारागार से कुबेर छुड़ा दे । चोर ठगों से कुबेर बचा दे ॥36॥ कोर्ट केस में कुबेर जितावै । जो कुबेर को मन में ध्यावै ॥ चुनाव में जीत कुबेर करावैं । मंत्री पद पर कुबेर बिठावैं ॥ पाठ करे जो नित मन लाई । उसकी कला हो सदा सवाई ॥ जिसपे प्रसन्न कुबेर की माई । उसका जीवन चले सुखदाई ॥40॥ जो कुबेर का पाठ करावै । उसका बेड़ा पार लगावै ॥ उजड़े घर को पुन: बसावै । शत्रु को भी मित्र बनावै ॥ सहस्त्र पुस्तक जो दान कराई । सब सुख भोद पदार्थ पाई ॥ प्राण त्याग कर स्वर्ग में जाई । मानस परिवार कुबेर कीर्ति गाई ॥44॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ शिव भक्तों में अग्रणी, श्री यक्षराज कुबेर । हृदय में ज्ञान प्रकाश भर, कर दो दूर अंधेर ॥ कर दो दूर अंधेर अब, जरा करो ना देर । शरण पड़ा हूं आपकी, दया की दृष्टि फेर ॥ नित्त नेम कर प्रातः ही, पाठ करौं चालीसा । तुम मेरी मनोकामना, पूर्ण करो जगदीश ॥ मगसर छठि हेमन्त ॠतु, संवत चौसठ जान । अस्तुति चालीसा शिवहि, पूर्ण कीन कल्याण ॥

Transliteration

Doha: Jaise Atal Himalay Aur Jaise Adig Sumer Aise Hi Svarga Dvar Pe Avichal Khade Kuber Vighna Haran Mangal Karan Suno Sharanagat Ki Ter Bhakta Hetu Vitaran Karo Dhan Maya Ke Dher Chaupai: Jai Jai Jai Shri Kuber Bhandari Dhan Maya Ke Tum Adhikari Tap Tej Punj Nirbhay Bhay Hari Pavan Veg Sam Sam Tanu Baladhari Svarga Dvar Ki Karen Pahare Dari Sevak Indra Dev Ke Agyakari Yaksha Yakshani Ki Hai Sena Bhari Senapati Bane Yuddha Men Dhanudhari ||4|| Maha Yoddha Ban Shastra Dharain Yuddha Karain Shatru Ko Marain Sada Vijayi Kabhi Na Harain Bhagat Janon Ke Sankat Tarain Prapitamah Hain Svayan Vidhata Pulista Vansh Ke Janma Vikhyata Vishrava Pita Idavida Ji Mata Vibhishan Bhagat Apake Bhrata ||8|| Shiv Charanon Men Jab Dhyan Lagaya Ghor Tapasya Kari Tan Ko Sukhaya Shiv Varadan Mile Devatya Paya Amrit Pan Kari Amar Hui Kaya Dharma Dhvaja Sada Lie Hath Men Devi Devata Sab Phirain Sath Men Pitambar Vastra Pahane Gat Men Bal Shakti Puri Yaksha Jat Men ||12|| Svarna Sinhasan Ap Virajain Trishul Gada Hath Men Sajain Shankh Mridang Nagare Bajain Gandharva Rag Madhur Svar Gajain Chaunsath Yogani Mangal Gavain Riddhi-siddhi Nit Bhog Lagavain Das Dasani Sir Chhatra Phiravain Yaksha Yakshani Mil Chanvar Dhulavain ||16|| Rishiyon Men Jaise Parashuram Bali Hain Devanha Men Jaise Hanuman Bali Hain Purushon Men Jaise Bhim Bali Hain Yakshon Men Aise Hi Kuber Bali Hain Bhagaton Men Jaise Prahalad Bare Hain Pakshiyon Men Jaise Garur Bare Hain Nagon Men Jaise Shesh Bare Hain Vaise Hi Bhagat Kuber Bare Hain ||20|| Kandhe Dhanush Hath Men Bhala Gale Phulon Ki Pahani Mala Svarna Mukut Aru Deh Vishala Dur-dur Tak Hoe Ujala Kuber Dev Ko Jo Man Men Dhare Sada Vijay Ho Kabhi Na Hare Bigare Kam Ban Jaen Sare Anna Dhan Ke Rahen Bhare Bhandare ||24|| Kuber Garib Ko Ap Ubharain Kuber Karja Ko Shighra Utarain Kuber Bhagat Ke Sankat Tarain Kuber Shatru Ko Kshan Men Marain Shighra Dhani Jo Hona Chahe Kyun Nahin Yaksha Kuber Manaen Yah Path Jo Parhe Parhaen Din Dugana Vyapar Barhaen ||28|| Bhut Pret Ko Kuber Bhagavain Are Kam Ko Kuber Banavain Rog Shok Ko Kuber Nashavain Kalank Korh Ko Kuber Hatavain Kuber Charhe Ko Aur Charhade Kuber Gire Ko Pun: Utha De Kuber Bhagya Ko Turant Jaga De Kuber Bhule Ko Rah Bata De ||32|| Pyase Ki Pyas Kuber Bujha De Bhukhe Ki Bhukh Kuber Mita De Rogi Ka Rog Kuber Ghata De Dukhiya Ka Dukh Kuber Chhuta De Banjh Ki God Kuber Bhara De Karobar Ko Kuber Barha De Karagar Se Kuber Chhura De Chor Thagon Se Kuber Bacha De ||36|| Korta Kes Men Kuber Jitavai Jo Kuber Ko Man Men Dhyavai Chunav Men Jit Kuber Karavain Mantri Pad Par Kuber Bithavain Path Kare Jo Nit Man Lai Usaki Kala Ho Sada Savai Jisape Prasanna Kuber Ki Mai Usaka Jivan Chale Sukhadai ||40|| Jo Kuber Ka Path Karavai Usaka Bera Par Lagavai Ujare Ghar Ko Pun: Basavai Shatru Ko Bhi Mitra Banavai Sahastra Pustak Jo Dan Karai Sab Sukh Bhod Padartha Pai Pran Tyag Kar Svarga Men Jai Manas Parivar Kuber Kirti Gai ||44|| Doha: Shiv Bhakton Men Agrani Shri Yaksharaj Kuber Hriday Men Gyan Prakash Bhar Kar Do Dur Andher Kar Do Dur Andher Ab Jara Karo Na Der Sharan Para Hun Apaki Daya Ki Drishti Pher Nitta Nem Kar Pratah Hi Path Karaun Chalisa Tum Meri Manokamana Purna Karo Jagadish Magasar Chhathi Hemanta ॠtu Sanvat Chausath Jan Astuti Chalisa Shivahi Purna Kin Kalyan

Who Kuber is

Kuber (Kubera, also called Vaishravana, "son of Vishrava") is the lord of wealth and the king of the yakshas, the semi-divine guardians of treasure. In the Puranas he once ruled golden Lanka until his half-brother Ravana drove him out; he then settled at Alaka on Mount Kailash, close to Shiva, and became one of the eight guardians of the directions, watching over the north. That is why Kuber is worshipped facing north and why many families keep their safe or account books on the north side of the house.

What the chalisa says about him

The opening doha sets the tone: Kuber stands at heaven's gate as steady as the Himalaya and Mount Meru, and the devotee asks him to hand out "heaps of wealth" to his bhaktas. The chaupais then fill in his story:

  • Family: his great-grandfather is Vidhata (Brahma) himself; he is born in the line of Pulastya, to father Vishrava and mother Idavida, and Vibhishana is his brother. Ravana, notably, is not named.
  • How he became a god: he meditated on Shiva's feet in hard tapasya until his body dried up, and Shiva's boon gave him divinity and an immortal body. The closing doha calls him the foremost among Shiva's devotees.
  • A warrior, not just a banker: he guards heaven's gate for Indra, commands an army of yakshas and yakshinis, and carries bow, spear, trishul and mace.
  • His court: a golden throne, conches and drums, the sixty-four yoginis singing, Riddhi and Siddhi offering bhog.
  • His rank: a memorable string of comparisons. As Parashurama is among rishis, Hanuman among gods, Bhima among men, Prahlad among devotees, Garuda among birds and Shesh among serpents, so is Kuber among the yakshas.

A modern prayer list

From the twenty-fifth chaupai on, the chalisa turns frankly practical. Kuber lifts the poor and clears debt quickly, doubles business, chases off ghosts, heals disease and even leprosy, fills the lap of a childless woman, frees the jailed, protects from thieves and swindlers, wins court cases and elections, and seats his devotee in a minister's chair. The closing doha dates the composition to Margashirsha shashthi, in the Hemant season, of "samvat chausath", most likely Vikram Samvat 2064 (2007 CE). That fits the vocabulary: this is a contemporary chalisa written in the traditional form, not an old text.

When and how to recite it

  • Dhanteras (Kartik krishna trayodashi) is Kuber's main day. He is worshipped alongside Lakshmi and Ganesh, often with a new vessel, coins or the family ledger placed before him.
  • It is also recited on Diwali night after Lakshmi puja, and on Fridays or Thursdays by people who keep a weekly practice for business.
  • Sit facing north, light a ghee lamp, offer yellow or white flowers, and recite the chalisa once. The chalisa itself praises daily recitation "in the morning" (nitt nem kar pratah hi).

Frequently asked questions

Which day is best for the Kuber Chalisa?

Dhanteras above all, then Diwali. For regular practice, many choose Thursday or Friday mornings.

Which direction should I face while reciting it?

North. Kuber is the guardian of the northern direction, so his image and the reciter usually face north.

Is Kuber the brother of Ravana?

Yes, a half-brother through their father Vishrava. The chalisa names only Vibhishana as his brother, but the Ramayana tradition makes Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Vibhishana all Vishrava's sons.

How old is the Kuber Chalisa?

Its last doha gives Margashirsha shashthi of samvat "64", most likely 2064 VS (2007 CE). The references to court cases, elections and ministerial posts also point to a recent composition.

Should Kuber be worshipped without Lakshmi?

He can be, but the usual Dhanteras and Diwali practice worships them together: Lakshmi as the giver of wealth, Kuber as its keeper.

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