Kuber Chalisa
कुबेर चालीसा
40-verse hymn to Lord Kuber — the king of the Yakshas, lord of wealth, treasurer of the gods, guardian of the northern direction (Uttara dikpala), and ruler of Alakapuri (the celestial city of gold in the Himalayas, beyond Kailash). Depicted as a portly figure with a paunch, holding a mongoose vomiting jewels, riding a man (a punishment from his contest with his half-brother Ravana — the Pushpaka Vimana was originally his before Ravana seized it).
Significance
Kuber's chalisa is the foundational hymn for Vaibhava Lakshmi (prosperity) puja — recited together with Lakshmi Chalisa on every Friday evening and most powerfully on Dhanteras, the eve of Diwali, when households purify their wealth-storage spaces (lockers, vaults, gold jewellery cases) and invoke Kuber to take residence as the cosmic accountant who tracks the flow of dharmika dhana (righteous wealth). Unlike Lakshmi (who represents the goddess of prosperity itself), Kuber represents the steward of prosperity — the one who ensures wealth is preserved, multiplied through right action, and never lost through carelessness or adharma. Business families across North India (Marwaris, Gujaratis, Sindhis) recite the Kuber Chalisa as part of their Diwali Chopda Pujan ledger-opening ritual.
When recited: Dhanteras (Ashwin Krishna Trayodashi — the day Kuber descended to bless mortals with prosperity), Diwali (Lakshmi-Kuber Puja, the night Kuber is invited into the home along with Lakshmi), Akshaya Tritiya (Vaishakha Shukla Tritiya), every Friday evening (Kuber-Lakshmi joint puja), before opening a new business, before signing major financial contracts
Benefits
- Increase in business income and removal of cash-flow blockages
- Protection of accumulated savings, investments, and property from theft or loss
- Recovery of long-pending debts and unpaid receivables
- Success in matters involving banking, lending, real estate, and treasury
- Awakening of the financial discipline (artha-shaucha) that attracts and retains wealth
- Patron blessing for opening new ventures, signing contracts, and entering partnerships
Opening verses
First 6 verses of the Kuber Chalisa — the most-recited opening section.
जय कुबेर यक्षेश्वर स्वामी, धन के दाता दीनदयाली॥
अलकापुरी में निवास करते, उत्तर दिशा के दिक्पाल कहलाते॥
धनतेरस के दिन तुम आते, घर घर लक्ष्मी संग पधारते॥
चोपड़ा पूजन में सेठ बुलाते, नूतन बही खाता जो खुलाते॥
कुबेर मंत्र जो श्रद्धा से गाये, उसके घर धन की कमी न आये॥
व्यापारी जन तुमको पूजे, ऋद्धि सिद्धि घर मे रूजे॥
Meaning
Victory to Kuber, lord of the Yakshas, the bestower of wealth, compassionate to the destitute. You dwell in Alakapuri and are called the guardian of the northern direction. On the day of Dhanteras you arrive, accompanied by Lakshmi, in every home. Merchants invoke you in the Chopda Pujan when opening new account ledgers. Whoever sings your mantra with faith — never shall there be want of wealth in his home. Businessmen worship you, and prosperity and accomplishment settle in their homes. Recited on every Friday evening, most powerfully on Dhanteras and Diwali Lakshmi-Kuber Puja, and during the Chopda Pujan business-ledger-opening ritual that Marwari and Gujarati families perform on the morning of Diwali.
For complete authoritative text
Refer to printed editions from these sources for the full 40-verse chalisa with traditional pronunciation guides: