Kuber was the lord of wealth and the ruler of the Yakshas. He was known for his immense wealth and possessions. Being the custodian of all treasures, he became proud and arrogant due to his opulence. One day, Kuber decided to flaunt his wealth before Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. He invited them to his palace and extravagantly displayed his treasures. However, Lord Shiva, known for his detachment and disinterest in material wealth, remained unaffected by Kuber’s display. Lord Shiva decided to perform a play to teach Kuber a lesson about the futility of worldly possessions (Shiv Lila).

He disguised himself as an old beggar and approached Kuber’s palace seeking alms. Kuber, consumed by his ego, neglected the beggar and did not offer him any help. The next day, Lord Shiva appeared in front of Kuber again, this time as a wealthy merchant. He offered Kuber a box filled with wealth and asked him to keep it safe until he returned. Kuber, intrigued by the merchant’s words, agreed to keep the box. Days turned into weeks; the merchant did not return. Kuber’s curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to open the box. To his astonishment, the box was empty. 

At that moment, he realized that all his wealth and possessions were merely an illusion. Overwhelmed by this realization, Kuber sought Lord Shiva’s forgiveness. Lord Shiva, pleased with Kuber’s humility and understanding, blessed him with divine wisdom. From that day on, Kuber became a devoted devotee of Lord Shiva and remained the treasurer of the gods.