Ganesha and Kubera

In Hindu Mythology, Kubera is the God of Wealth. He

controlled all the riches in the world. He was also one of the
protectors of the world [Lok Pala]. Kubera lived in the
Himalaya mountains with Shiva and Parvati as his
neighbours.

Kubera wanted to show off to the world how rich and
hospitable he was. So he organized lavish parties and made
sure everyone attended it. Though all the Devas came and
appreciated Kubera's palace and his hospitality, he was not
satisfied. Only if I get Shiva and the Goddess to my parties,
would people praise me even more...When people realize that
even the great God and the Goddess looked at my palace in
awe, well people would respect me even more....

With this in mind, he went to Kailash Shiva's home. As he
entered the home, he saw the simple surroundings and
smirked. Even the Great God and the Goddess lives here in
the open mountains, whereas I live in a lavish palace...Being
such a great God can't he not even provide a better home for
his family....Why, the living room of my palace is larger than
Shiva's home...

Shiva and Parvati were sitting and talking, when Kubera came
inside. He bowed before the Lord and the Goddess.

'What brings you here, Kubera?' Shiva asked looking at
Kubera with a smile.

Kubera spoke slowly, 'My Lord! I have organized a party....'

Parvati spoke interrupting Kubera, 'Party? What is the
occasion Kubera?'

Kubera was stumped. He fumbled as he stared at the Goddess.
He could not explain that he had given a party merely to show
off how wealthy he was...That would be so embarrassing...

'Goddess! I... I wanted to celebrate....celebrate life...because it
is so enjoyable....So I am throwing a party....' Kubera said
rather lamely.

Shiva looked at Parvati. They both understood immediately
that Kubera had kept the party for no reason other than to
show off his wealth. Parvati nodded her head at Shiva and
smiled. She looked at Kubera.

'Kubera! I would be so glad to come with you....its just that
we are so busy...' Parvati said firmly.

'My Lord! My Goddess! I know you are so busy. Please I
organized this party so that you could come and
relax....Please...' Kubera folded his hands and looked at
Parvati desperately.

'Well Kubera! Right now my son Ganesha is going to come
home. He has to eat...I will have to feed him....' Parvati said
with a quiet smile which Kubera missed.

Kubera laughed, 'Oh my Goddess! Then please come to my
party with Ganesha so that you can all have dinner there.'

Parvati smiled at Kubera, who had not realized that he had
walked into a trap.

Shiva spoke, 'Well Ganesha likes parties and he likes
eating...Why don't you take him with you to the party. You
see both of us have other things to do now....'

Kubera beamed and nodded. If I cannot get the Lord and the
Goddess, Ganesha would be great!

Just then Ganesha returned home, 'Mother! I am home! I am
hungry! Whats for dinner....How was your....'

Ganesha saw his parents talking with Kubera. He looked at
his mother who was looking at him with twinkling,
mischievous eyes. He silently raised his eyes as his mother
nodded towards Kubera. Ganesha understood and greeted
Kubera.

'Welcome Kubera! What a splendid surprise! What are you
doing here?' Ganesha asked Kubera politely.

Kubera said, 'Sir! I had organized a party...'

Ganesha clapped his hands with glee, 'Party? I love
parties...But what is the occasion?' He asked as he frowned.

Both Shiva and Parvati refrained from looking at each other,
or they would have burst out laughing. Kubera said haltingly,
'Sir, I have a party for celebrating life...because it is so
enjoyable...'

Ganesha looked at Kubera for a minute and immediately
understood everything. He then said, 'My parents are very
busy! I guess then I will have to come with you...'

Kubera beamed and nodded. Nodding to his parents, Ganesha
set off with Kubera. Soon both of them arrived at Kubera's
palace. Kubera arrived ans started, 'Sir, do you see this
fountain in the park...It is built by the most precious stones....'

'Kubera!' Ganesha said sternly, 'You heard me tell my mother
I was hungry! Do you really think I can admire all these
things...' Ganesha asked waving his hands all over the palace,
'...with a hungry stomach...'

Kubera flustered and shook his head. He summoned all his
servants. He said in a hurry. 'Quick lay out the plates and
bring out the food. Ganesha is going to eat the food with us...'
Kubera said smirking at Ganesha. How much could the little
elephant-headed boy eat?

Kubera was about to find out the answer to that question the
hard way...

Ganesha said down and started eating the food placed before
him. It is customary to feed a person till he says he has had
enough.

Ganesha started eating all the food placed before him, the
food which was actually made for hundreds of people.
However Ganesha wanted some more food and looked at
Kubera after the plate was empty. Kubera ordered his servants
to bring more food. The servants brought in some more food,
which Ganesha finished even before Kubera could blink. The
servants were getting apprehensive as they brought in the last
amount of food they had cooked. Kubera also watched this
with mild apprehension, hoping Ganesha would get satisfied
with this food.

After finishing his plate Ganesha still looked hungry. 'Food!'
He bellowed angrily. The servants flustered and whispered to
Kubera that the food in the palace was over. Looking at the
furiously eating Ganesha, the servants even dumped the
uncooked food on his plate, which vanished into Ganesha's
stomach like the rest of the food!

Kubera was alarmed. 'Go to the surrounding villages and get
some food immediately!'

The servants and the soldiers ran out. In a hurry, they brought
some food and laid it down before Ganesha. It too vanished
inside Ganehsa's stomach, who was looking more and more
annoyed. 'Is this all you have? That was just an appetizer! I
want FOOD!' Ganesha yelled. As Kubera backed away with
fright.

Kubera said with a frightened tone, 'Sir! All my food is over.
The soldiers are going to get some food for you....'

'OVER!' Ganesha yelled, 'OVER! How could this much
quantity be enough for me? You cook so little and you called
the Lord, Goddess and me for dinner?' Ganesha looked more
and more furious with every second, 'Kubera! You promised
my mother you would feed me! Now I am still hungry so I am
going to eat you...'

'Aaah!...' Kubera yelled as he ran out of the palace. He ran and
ran and ran straight to the only person who could protect him
from Ganesha.

Kubera ran to Kailash and flung himself on Shiva's and
Parvati's feet. 'My Lord and Goddess! Please save
me...Please...' Kubera struggled with his breath as he tried
speaking.

'What is the matter?' Shiva asked with a twinkling eye.

Kubera almost broke down crying, 'Lord please do not make
fun of me! I was vain and proud, thinking I could do anything
because I had all the money in the world....Please I have learnt
my lesson! I will never be proud of my wealth...Please...'
Kubera looked back to see if Ganesha was still behind
him...'Please save me from Ganesha!'

Shiva took some rice from his house and gave it to Kubera.
'Go and give this to Ganesha, after you have given up your
pride!'

'Sir! I gave him a lunch fit for hundreds of people and he is
still hungry! Do you really think this will satisfy him...'
Kubera wailed.

Shiva smiled, 'You gave Ganesha a feast with pride, to show-
off your money, which will never satisfy him. If you give
Ganesha anything with a clean mind and pure heart, whatever
you give him will satisfy him....

Kubera looked at the three-eyed God, as if looking at him for
the first time understood how wise the Lord and the Goddess
were. He took the rice. Ganesha had entered the house and
was looking at Kubera. But when Ganesha saw the subdued
Kubera, Ganesha stopped and gave him a dazzling smile!

Kubera hesitatingly came forward and offered Ganesha the
rice. 'Sir! I hope this satisfies you!

Ganesha smiled and ate the rice without any question. He
patted his stomach and said to Kubera, 'I am full! Thank you!'

Kubera went home a wiser man as Ganesha enjoyed his feast
and had eaten to his full!