Vaishravana, the Lord of Wealth, is the Buddhist counterpart of Kubera, the Brahmanical god of wealth. Like Kubera, he presides over the domain of riches. As a Lokapala, or Guardian King, Vaishravana watches over the Northern region and Mount Sumeru, the mythical center of the universe. His abode is Alaka in the Himalayas—a realm abundant in wealth and grandeur—where he is served by Yakshas and Kinnaras. Vaishravana is also recognized as the king of the Yakshas.

Vaishravana is often depicted riding a lion (Tibetan: nam to se tag shon, English: the Son of Nam To) as the Guardian King of the Northern Direction and Lord of the Yakshas. With regal bearing, he has one face and two hands. In his right hand, he holds a banner of variously coloured silks atop a long red shaft. In his left hand, cradled against his side, he holds a brown mongoose that excretes gems from its mouth.

He is richly adorned, wearing a jeweled crown, gold earrings, and flowing garments of many colours and intricate textures. He also wears Mongolian-style pants and boots. His chest is protected by a golden coat of armour, and he is seated atop a white snow lion with a green mane. This lion rests on a multi-coloured lotus blossom, surrounded by a dark nimbus fringed with rainbow light and encircled by a red and green aureole.

Vaishravana has two primary aspects:

• A warrior protector

• A deity of wealth

He is one of the principal protectors of the Gelugpa Sect, specifically serving as the Protector of the middle scope of the Lamrim (the graduated path to enlightenment). In his role as one of the Four Directional Guardians, he is frequently painted or sculpted on the outer walls of monasteries and temples to safeguard against harmful interferences.

Mantra:
OM VAISHRAVANA YE SVAHA

Benefit:
His spiritual energy, expressed through this mantra, helps to transform the mind—breaking down negative emotions such as greed, envy, and anger, and turning them into positive emotions like generosity, compassion, and loving-kindness.