✍️ Chitragupta Puja on Yama Dwitiya: Honoring the Divine Scribe of Karma
Chitragupta Puja on 23rd October 2025
As the luminous echoes of Deepawali
fade, the second day of Kartik Shukla Paksha – Yama Dwitiya – arrives
with a quieter, introspective grace. On this day, many across India, especially
the Kayastha community, observe Chitragupta Puja, a ritual that honors
the celestial accountant of karma: Bhagwan Chitragupta.
🕉️ Who is Bhagwan Chitragupta?
Chitragupta was born from the body (Kaya) of Bhagwan
Brahma. The story goes that one day, as Brahma sat in deep meditation doing
intense tapasya, the energy from his contemplative mind emerged as a radiant
light from his body. This light gradually condensed into a human-like divine
being, holding a pen and an inkpot in his hands. When Brahma emerged from his
meditative state, the newly formed divine being introduced himself as born from
Brahma’s own body and said, “I am your son – kindly give me a name.”
Brahma named him Chitragupta and appointed him as the
record-keeper of karmas in the court of Yama, the god of death. Since then,
Chitragupta has maintained a meticulous ledger of every soul’s deeds. He is
considered the first divine being created with a pen and ink, symbolizing the
sacred power of written truth and ethical accountability.
Chitragupta is not merely a cosmic
bookkeeper; he is the Dharmadhikari, the upholder of moral order. His
presence reminds us that every thought, word, and action is recorded – not to
punish, but to guide us toward dharma.
🖋️ Bhagwan Chitragupta and the Kayastha
Community
Bhagwan Chitragupta was created directly from
Lord Brahma’s body – not just his mind – making him a unique divine being who
embodies both intellect and form. So, his descendants on Earth are
called Kayasthas (created from the Kaya of Brahma). People of Kayastha
community in India revere him as their progenitor and guiding deity. The duality (mind &
body) behind the birth of Bhagwan Chitragupta is mirrored in the Kayastha
community’s traditional roles: combining mental acuity (writing,
administration, law) with practical engagement (governance,
record-keeping, civic duties).
The Kayasthas, traditionally known
for their roles in administration, governance, and scholarship, see in
Chitragupta a reflection of their dharma: to uphold truth, justice, and
intellectual clarity. His tools – the pen, inkpot, and ledger – are not just
symbols of profession, but emblems of ethical living and karmic awareness.
Famous Kayasthas in India include distinguished
leaders, artists, and scientists whose contributions span politics, literature,
cinema, and academia. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the former Prime Minister known for
his integrity and the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” and Netaji Subhas Chandra
Bose, the revolutionary founder of the Indian National Army, are among the most
revered. Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President, exemplified scholarly
leadership. In the arts, Amitabh Bachchan has left an indelible mark on Indian
cinema, while his father Harivansh Rai Bachchan enriched Hindi literature with
poetic brilliance. Munshi Premchand, a master of socially conscious
storytelling, and Raghupati Sahay ‘Firaq Gorakhpuri,’ a celebrated Urdu poet,
further reflect the community’s literary depth. In science, Jagadish Chandra
Bose pioneered radio and wireless communication, and Satyendra Nath Bose’s
collaboration with Einstein led to the Bose-Einstein statistics and the naming
of the boson particle. These individuals embody the Kayastha legacy of
intellectual rigor, ethical governance, and cultural excellence, rooted in
their reverence for Bhagwan Chitragupta – the divine scribe of karma.
🌸 The Rituals and Symbolism of
Chitragupta Puja
On Yama Dwitiya, devotees gather to
perform Chitragupta Puja with reverence and reflection. The rituals are
simple yet profound:
·
Pens, inkpots, and account books are placed
on the altar, symbolizing clarity, wisdom, and karmic awareness.
·
A lamp is lit, invoking the light of truth and
ethical discernment.
·
Devotees may chant mantras such as:
ॐ चित्रगुप्ताय नमः (Om Chitraguptaya Namah)
ॐ श्री चित्रगुप्ताय धर्माधिकारिणे नमः (Om Shri Chitraguptaya Dharmadhikarine Namah)
These invocations call upon
Chitragupta’s grace to live righteously and seek karmic purification.
Many write in a fresh notebook – gratitude
lists, vows to uphold dharma, or reflections on their karmic
journey – transforming writing into a sacred offering.
📜 Mythological Echoes
In the Mahabharata, Bhishma
narrates to Yudhishthira the importance of observing the Dwitiya Vrata,
which includes worship of Chitragupta and Yama. Hearing this story alone is
said to absolve sins and guide one toward dharma.
On Chitragupta Puja,
celebrated during Yama Dwitiya, Kayasthas honor him with rituals that
blend devotion and introspection. They worship writing instruments, offer
prayers for wisdom and moral strength, and reflect on their own karmic journey
– renewing their commitment to dharma and dignity.
Bhagwan Chitragupta thus stands not
only as a celestial accountant, but as a timeless reminder that every word and
action carries weight – and that truth, when written with reverence, becomes
sacred.
👫 Yama Dwitiya: A Day of Bonds and
Balance
Chitragupta Puja coincides with Yama
Dwitiya, also known as Bhai Dooj, when sisters pray for their
brothers’ longevity and happiness. The story of Yamraj visiting his sister
Yamuna adds a layer of familial grace to the day, reminding us that justice
and love must walk hand in hand.
Together, these observances weave a
tapestry of moral accountability, kinship, and spiritual
renewal.
🌺 A Poetic Reflection
Chitragupta Puja offers a moment to
transform even mundane gestures – writing, teaching, healing – into ceremonial
offerings. The pen becomes a wand of truth. The ledger, a mirror of the
soul.
May this Chitragupta Puja inspire us to live with clarity, compassion, and karmic awareness. May our words be worthy of the divine scribe’s ink.