Chitragupta (, 'rich in secrets' or 'hidden picture') is a Hindu deity who serves as the registrar of the dead.
Literature
Garuda Purana
's court and hell. The blue figure is Yama with
Yami and Chitragupta. 17th-century painting]]According to the
Garuda Purana,
human souls, if not worthy of attaining
moksha, receive rewards and punishments according to their sins and merits. The souls of humans following their demise go to Yamaloka, which is presided over by the deities called
, who keep records of men's actions and accordingly give them their dues. The principal deity of Yamaloka is Yama — the ruler of Yamaloka, and the king of laws.
The Garuda Purana describes the imperial throne of Chitragupta in Yamaloka, holding his court and dispensing justice according to the deeds of men, as well as maintaining their records.
Yama Samhita
the god of death (often referred to as Dharma) seated on a throne; to the left stands a demon. To the right of Yama sits Chitragupta, assigned with keeping detailed records of every human being and upon their death deciding how they are to be reincarnated, depending on their previous actions.]]The Yama Samhita, an extract from the 9th chapter of Ahilya Kamdhenu, a work of Hindu Law, says that Dharmaraja complained to Brahma about his difficulties in performing his most responsible duties of keeping records of the deeds of men and doing justice to them. Brahma went into meditation. Chitragupta sprang from his body and stood before him bearing an inkpot and a pen. The god Brahma (creator) said: "Because you are sprung from my body (kaya), therefore you shall be called
Kayastha and as you existed in my body unseen I give you the name of Chitragupta. Let the Kshatriya dharma be followed by you and your progeny." He then assumed charge of Yamapuri. Yama set up marriage of his daughter Iravati with Chitragupta.
Sraddhadeva Manu, son of
Surya, set up his daughter Nandini's marriage with Chitragupta.
Padma Purana
According to
Padma Purana, "Chitragupta was placed near Yama to register the good and evil actions of all sentient beings, that he was possessed of supernatural wisdom and became the partaker of sacrifices offered to the gods and fire. It is for this reason that the twice-born always give him oblations from their food. As he sprang from the body of Brahma he was called Kayastha of numerous gotras on the face of the earth."
Bhavishya Purana
The
Bhavishya Purana states that God, the Creator, gave the name and duties of Chitragupta as follows: Because you have sprung from my body, therefore, you shall be called Kayastha and shall be famous in the world by the name of Chitragupta. Oh my son, let your residence be always in the region of the God of justice for the purpose of determining the merits and demerits of men.
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata (Anusasana Parva, chapter 130) recites the teaching of Chitragupta requiring men to do virtuous and charitable acts and performing
yajna, saying that men are rewarded or punished according to their good or bad deeds.
Legend
Chitragupta came into being after Brahma, the creator, having established the four varnas (castes) —
Brahmin (The Learned),
Kshatriya (The Warriors),
Vaishya (Merchant & Farmers) and
Shudra (Labourer) — ordained Yama to keep record of the deeds — good and evil — of all life-forms born and yet to be born on earth, in the heavens above and in the lands below. Yama, however, complained, "O Lord, how can I alone keep record of the deeds of the beings born into 84 lakh yonis (84,00,000 life-forms) in the three worlds"
Brahma went into meditation for 11,000 years and when he opened his eyes he saw a man holding pen and ink-pot in his hands and a sword girdled to his waist. Brahma spoke: Brahma then enjoined him to dispense justice and punish those who violated the dharma.
In the Garuda Purana, Chitragupta is hailed as the "giver of letters" ( Chitragupta namastubhyam vedaksaradatre). In the legends of Chitragupta as well as in the Vedas, he is referred to as the greatest king, while the rest are rajakas, or little kings.
Temples
There are numerous temples dedicated to Chitragupta. Notable examples include:
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Shri Chitragupta Prakatya Tirth, Ujjain, MP - Bhagwan Shri Chitragupta Ji, a divine deti directly manifested from the body of Lord Brahma, is believed to have appeared at the sacred site known as the Shri Chitragupta Prakatya Tirth, located at the rear side of Shri Krishna Vidya Sthali (Sandipani Ashram) in the ancient city Awantika today known as Ujjain (M.P.). This holy land has been regarded as a highly revered site since ancient times and is glorified in the Padma Purana & Iskand Purana. This place, filled with natural beauty, lies in the lap of nature, where divine peace and spiritual purity reside. Here stands the second temple of Lord Brahma, uniquely situated on the first floor—an exceptionally rare phenomenon in the world. This site is considered a sacred pilgrimage destination for the entire Kayastha community, where men and women come with devotion and faith to attain spiritual merit. Thus, this revered place has long served as a central hub for the worship of Lord Chitragupta, the divine deity of Dharma (righteousness), Smriti (sacred memory), and Nyaya (justice), upholding the glorious traditions of Sanatan culture through the ages.
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Chitragupta temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu - the oldest temple in South India dedicated to Chitragupta. Archaeologist have confirmed based on the inscriptions that the temple was built during the 9th century by the Medieval Cholas.
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Chitragupta Devalayam, Falaknuma, Hyderabad - built by Kayastha employed by the Qutb Shahi's in early 18th century.
See also
