Kubera...is the Lord of Wealth according to Hindu mythology. He is a semi-divine being, called a Yaksha and is also a god-king. Considered to be a Dik-pala or the regent of the North, he is also a Lokapala or a protector of the world... He is often revered as the overlord of several semi-divine beings and is the owner of all the treasures of the world, including minerals and jewels that can be found underground, plus all the riches that earthlings own as a whole... Kubera is popular outside India and Hinduism as well. He features prominently in both Buddhism and Jainism... Generally speaking, one can find images of Kubera etched in any Mahalakshmi temple pillar, as he is commonly associated with the Goddess. Some Mahalakshmi temples have small vigrahas or idols of Kubera, placed below the main idol of the Goddess...