In the context of
Hindu scriptures, "Nidhi" is a treasure, constituted of nine treasures (''nawanidhi'') belonging to
Kubera
Kubera ( sa, कुबेर, translit=Kuberā) also known as Kuvera, Kuber and Kuberan, is the god of wealth, and the god-king of the semi-divine yakshas in Hinduism. He is regarded as Guardians of the directions, the regent of the north (' ...
(also spelt as Kuvera), the god of wealth. According to the tradition, each nidhi is personified as having a guardian spirit, and some
tantrikas worship them. The nature and characteristics of nidhis have remained largely unexplained and have not been fully understood.
The Nidhis
According to
Amarakosha, the Nine nidhis are:
# Mahapadma "great lotus flower"
# Padma "lotus flower"
# Shankha "conch"
# Makara "crocodile"
# Kachchhapa "tortoise"
# Kumud "a particular precious stone"
# Kunda "jasmine"
# Nila "sapphire"
# Kharva "dwarf"
When considered as mines, minerals, earthenware, and ocean resources, the nine treasures of Kubera are interpreted as:
# mahapadma (lake double the size of Padma in Himalaya with minerals and jewels)
# padma (lake in Himalaya with minerals and jewels)
# shankha (conch shell)
# makara (synonym of Padmini, black
antimony)
# kachchhapa (tortoise or turtle shell)
# kumud (
cinnabar, or
quicksilver
Quicksilver may refer to:
* Quicksilver (metal), the chemical element mercury
Arts and entertainment
Music
* Quicksilver, a bluegrass band fronted by Doyle Lawson
* "Quicksilver" (song), a 1950 hit for Bing Crosby
* ''Quicksilver'' (sound ...
)
# kunda (
arsenic)
# nila (antimony)
# kharva (cups or vessels baked in fire)
Nidhis are also called Nidhana, Nikhara, and Sevadhi. Some of the nidhis' names are used in the
Indian numbering system
The Indian numbering system is used in all South Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan) to express large numbers. The terms ''lakh'' or 1,00,000 (one hundred thousand, written as ''100,00 ...
.
References
* ''A Dictionary of Hindu Mythology & Religion'' by
John Dowson
* A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature, by John Dawson, page 221
* Amarakosha, ed. W. L. Shastri Pansikar, v. 142
* Megha-duta, collected works, iv. 372. verse 534
* A Hindu Granth (Holy Book) named as 'SHIV-PURAAN'.
* Also mentioned in 'VISHNUSAHASTRANAAM'.
Objects in Hindu mythology
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