Nidhi


In the context of Hindu scriptures, Nidhi is a treasure, constituted of nine treasures belonging to Kubera, 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:
  1. Mahapadma "great lotus flower"
  2. Padma "lotus flower"
  3. Shankha "conch"
  4. Makara "crocodile"
  5. Kachchhapa "tortoise"
  6. Kumud "a particular precious stone"
  7. Kunda "jasmine"
  8. Nila "sapphire"
  9. Kharva "dwarf"
When considered as mines, minerals, earthenware and ocean resources, the nine treasures of Kubera are interpreted as:
  1. mahapadma
  2. padma
  3. shankha
  4. makara
  5. kachchhapa
  6. kumud
  7. kunda
  8. nila
  9. kharva
Nidhis are also called Nidhana, Nikhara, and Sevadhi. Some of the nidhis' names are used in the Indian numbering system.