Mahabharata — Sabha Parva, Shloka 37
Vaiśravaṇa-sabhā-varṇanam
Description of Kubera’s Assembly Hall
सदा हि देवदेवेशं शिवं त्रैलोक्यभावनम् । प्रणम्य मूर्थ्ना पौलस्त्यो बहुरूपमुमापतिम्
sadā hi devadeveśaṃ śivaṃ trailokyabhāvanam | praṇamya mūrdhnā paulastyo bahurūpam umāpatim ||
Nārada sprach: „Wahrlich, Paulastya (Kubera) verneigt sich stets mit dem Haupt vor Śiva—dem Herrn der Götter, dem Wohltäter und Erhalter der drei Welten, dem Vielgestaltigen, dem Gemahl der Umā. Dies ist seine beständige Regel: sooft Maheśvara in jene Versammlung kommt, wirft sich Kubera ehrfürchtig zu seinen Füßen nieder, empfängt seinen Auftrag und nimmt dann nahe bei ihm Platz.“
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a powerful lord of wealth like Kubera upholds dharma through humility and devotion: he recognizes a higher spiritual authority (Śiva) and responds with reverence, showing that true greatness includes disciplined respect and submission to the divine order.
Nārada describes the protocol in Kubera’s assembly: whenever Śiva enters, Kubera (Paulastya) bows with his head, receives Śiva’s instruction, and then sits near him—presenting Śiva as an honored, superior presence and Kubera as a devoted host.