Shloka 36
Vaiśravaṇa-sabhā-varṇanam
Description of Kubera’s Assembly Hall
धनदं राक्षसाक्षान्ये पिशाचाक्ष॒ उपासते । पारिषदै: परिवृतमुपायान्तं महेश्वरम्
dhanadaṁ rākṣasākṣā anye piśācākṣa upāsate | pāriṣadaiḥ parivṛtam upāyāntaṁ maheśvaram |
Nārada said: “Even other rākṣasas and piśācas worship Dhanada (Kubera), the giver of wealth. And when Maheśvara—surrounded by his attendants—arrives in that assembly, Kubera, the lord of treasures and son of Pulastya, bows his head at Śiva’s feet, receives his command, and then sits near him. Such is Kubera’s constant rule of conduct. Śaṅkara, Kubera’s friend, sometimes comes to that hall as well.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic protocol and humility: even a powerful deity of wealth (Kubera) maintains disciplined reverence toward a higher divine authority (Śiva). Status and power do not cancel the obligation to honor rightful hierarchy and to act with restraint and devotion.
Nārada describes the prestige of Kubera—worshipped even by rākṣasas and piśācas—and then depicts a scene in the assembly hall where Śiva arrives with his attendants. Kubera respectfully bows at Śiva’s feet, receives his instruction/permission, and sits near him, following his established rule of conduct.