Kubera’s Tapas at the Kāverī-Narmadā Saṃgama
Kubera won his place as nāyaka (chief) of the yakshas by tapas on the bank of the Narmadā. He did this tapas at the saṃgama, the holy meeting of the Kāverī and the Narmadā. The Padma Mahā Purāṇa tells this in Chapter 16 of the Svarga Khaṇḍa, and the Matsya Mahā Purāṇa gives the same event in Chapter 188.
The tapas
Nārada tells this to Yudhishṭhira and the ṛshis who are gathered with him. He tells it to show the great puṇya (merit) of the Kāverī-Narmadā saṃgama tīrtha (holy place). Nārada says: “O Yudhishṭhira and all who are gathered here! Listen. The brave Kubera performed a yajña at this saṃgama. When the yajña was complete he gained sāmrājya (sovereignty). He also gained siddhi (perfection). I shall tell you all the details. Listen.”
Kubera, who was truthful and brave, took up his home in a pure state at the place where the Kāverī and the Narmadā meet. He did tapas there for a hundred years. His long and perfect tapas drew the notice of Maheśvara. Pleased, Bhagavān Śiva appeared before Kubera and offered him a vara (a boon): “O great-hearted yaksha! Ask for the vara you want. Tell me what is in your heart.”
The vara
Kubera’s reply showed his one wish: “O Deveśa! If you are pleased with my tapas and wish to give me a vara, then let me be first among all, and let me be the nāyaka of the yakshas. Grant me this.” Maheśvara was glad at these words. He said “So be it” and vanished.
Kubera now had his vara. He went at once to the yaksha-loka. All the yakshas honoured him, and he was formally anointed (abhisheka) as the nāyaka of the yakshas.
The power of the saṃgama
The account ends by naming the power of the saṃgama: “The Kāverī-saṃgama destroys all pāpa (sin). Whoever does not know this is surely deceived. So people should bathe here with effort.” The saṃgama stays joined to Kubera’s tapas and his siddhi. Bathing here, like bathing at the other saṃgamas beside the Narmadā, gives a home in Rudra-loka and the phala (fruit) of an aśvamedha yajña.
The Matsya Purāṇa account
The Narmadā Māhātmya in Chapter 188 of the Matsya Mahā Purāṇa tells the same event. It calls the river that joins the Narmadā the Kauberī, the river of Kubera’s domain, and not the Kāverī. It gives the same main points. Kubera did tapas here for a hundred years. Maheśvara appeared. Kubera received the vara of rule over the yakshas. The Matsya Purāṇa also names the fruit of bathing at this saṃgama: the phala of an aśvamedha yajña and a home in Rudra-loka.
Sources
- Padma Mahā Purāṇa, Svarga Khaṇḍa, Chapter 16
- Matsya Mahā Purāṇa, Chapter 188