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 berkata: “Bahkan rākṣasa dan piśāca yang lain pun memuja Dhanada, Kubera sang pemberi kekayaan. Dan ketika Maheśvara—dikelilingi para pengiringnya—memasuki balairung itu, Kubera, putra Pulastya dan penguasa perbendaharaan, menundukkan kepala di kaki Śiva, menerima titah-Nya, lalu duduk di dekat-Nya. Demikianlah aturan laku Kubera yang tak pernah berubah. Śaṅkara, sahabat Kubera, kadang-kadang juga datang ke balairung itu.”
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.