Nidhi (Sanskrit: निधि, romanized: nidhi) is a Sanskrit term meaning, "treasure". It is generally used to indicate the nine treasures called navanidhi (Sanskrit: नवनिधि, romanized: navanidhi) belonging to Kubera, the god of wealth.[1] According to tradition, each nidhi is personified as having a guardian spirit, with some Tantrikas worshipping them. The nature and characteristics of nidhis have remained largely unexplained and have not been fully understood.[2]
According to the Amarakosha and the Padma Purana,[3] the nine nidhis are:
| Name | Meaning | Symbolism |
|---|---|---|
| Mahapadma | "great lotus flower" | Twofold Himalayan lake |
| Padma | "lotus flower" | Himalayan lake |
| Shankha | "conch" | Conch shell |
| Makara | "crocodile" | black antimony |
| Kacchapa | "tortoise" | turtleshell |
| Mukunda | "a particular precious stone" | quicksilver |
| Kunda | "jasmine" | arsenic |
| Nila | "sapphire" | antimony |
| Kharva | "dwarf" | firebaked vessel |