Chitragupta Aarti

Chitragupta Aarti: According to Hinduism, Brahma is the creator of the universe. He has created plants,animals, sea, mountains and the human being. Mythology states that humans created from the 'mouth' portion of Brahma were Brahmins, those from arms were 'Kshatriyas', those from the thighs were 'Vaishyas' and those from the feet were 'Shudras'. He asked 'Surya' to take care and protect the universe and himself went into deep meditation for ten thousand of years.

Thereafter when he opened his eyes he saw an illustrious man with broad shoulders, eyes like a lotus, long neck and carrying a pen and inkpot in the hands. Brahma asked that man who he was. The man replied that he was born out of Brahma and asked to give him a name and allocate duties. Brahma told him that as he was born out of his body (kaya) he would be classed as 'Kayastha' and he would be called by the name of 'Chitragupt' on the earth. He was asked by Brahma to perform his duties of keeping an account of every person good and bad deeds in the offices of Dharma Raj, supposed to be situated in 'Yampuri'.

Chitragupta was also blessed to produce his progency. Thus as the story goes 'Chitragupta' was the progenitor of us, the Kayasthas, and it is therefore our duty to worship him and offer our Prayers.

Hindu Mythology believes that the entire world, that was created by Lord Bramha, the Creator. Lord Bramha first created 16 Sons from various parts of his own body. Shree Chitraguptjee, his 17th creation, is believed to be the creation from Lord Bramha's belly. Thus, Shree Chitraguptjee is the divine incarnation in human form. Called Kayastha since he is the only one created in entirety [Kaya] from the Lord Bramha's body. chitragupta

There is a legend behind worshipping Lord Chitragupta. Shree Chitraguptjee is the divine incarnation in human form and is called Kayastha for the reason of being the only one created in entirety from the Lord Bramha's body.

People of the Kayastha community offer puja to Lord Chitragupt for world peace, justice, knowledge and literacy. These are the four primary virtues depicted by the form of Shree Chitraguptjee.

This is also called Dawaat (Inkpot) puja. The books and pen are worshipped on this occasion. This symbolizes that study is very important in the life of a Kayastha.

The Duty Of Chitragupt Ji Maharaj

Hindu Dharam is based on a multiple phase life cycle involving re-birth. It is believed that those who do not attain a balance between their good-deeds and misdoing, have to attain re-birth in any living form , to complete the life cycle.

It is also described in this regard that Lord Brahma gave the ruling of death to Yamaraja. Yamaraja was often confused where to send a particular human being, to hell or heaven. He requested Lord Bramha for someone to assit him and Bramha created Chitragupta holding inkpot and book to keep track of every person's good and bad deed and report to Yamaraj.

The primary duty awarded to Shree Chitraguptjee is to create log of the lives of all living beings, judge their lives based on good-deeds and misdoing, and decide, upon ones death, whether they will attain Nirvana, ie, the completion of their life cycle & redemption from all worldly troubles or, receive punishment for their misdoing in another life form.

Chitragupta Puja, also known as Dawat Puja, is a ritual observed during Diwali festival. Chitragupta Puja 2010 date is November 7. It is celebrated on Bhai Dooj, two days after Diwali, in North India. Chitragupta Pooja marks the birthday or Jayanthi of Chitragupta and it is mainly celebrated by Katyastha caste.

On Chitragupta Jayanthi or Chitragupta Pooja, Chitragupta is worshipped with shodashopachar puja by Kayastha people. This puja is also known as Dawat Puja which is the biggest festival for Kayastha caste.

Chitragupta Ji Maharaj's Family

He has two wives Shobavathi and Nandini and twelve sons named as follows: Srivastava, Surajdwaj, Nigam, Kulshreshth, Mathur, Karna, Saxena, Gaud, Asthana, Ambasht, Bhatnagar and Bulmik.

Chitragupt Puja and Dawat Puja

Chitragupt Puja is performed by Kayastha Parivar that believes in world peace, justice, knowledge and literacy, the four primary virtues depicted by the form of Shree Chitraguptjee. The puja is also known as Dawat (Inkpot) Puja, in which the books and pen are worshipped, symbolizing the importance of study in the life of a Kayastha. During the Chitragupt Puja, earning members of the also give account of their earning, writing to Chitragupt Maharaj the additional amount of money that is required to run the household, next year.

Special prayers are offered to 17th son of Lord Brahma, the Lord Chitragupta, on the auspicious day of Yam-Dwitiya.

Puja Items

Sandalwood Paste, Til, Camphour/Kapoor, Paan, Sugar, Paper, Pen, Ink, Ganga Water, Unbroken Rice, Cotton, Honey, Yellow Mustard, Plate Made Of Leaves, Puja Platform, Dhoop, Youghart, Sweets, Puja Cloths, Milk, Seasonal friuts, Panchpatra, Gulal (Color powder), Brass Katora, Tulsi leaves, Roli, keasar, Betul nut, Match box, Frankincense and Deep.

Puja Process

First clean the Puja room and then Bath Chitragupt Ji's idol or photo first with water, then with panchamitra/or rose water, followed by water once more. Now put Deepak (Lamp) of ghee in front of the Chitragupt Ji. Make a Panchamitra with 5 ingredients of milk, curd, ghee (clarified butter), sugar & Honey. Place Few mithais, snacks & fruits as a prashad. Make Guraadi (Gur + Adi = Molasses + Ginger). Make offerings of flowers, Abir (red colour), Sindoor (vermillion) and Haldi (turmeric). Light the Agarbatti (incense sticks) and lamps filled with Ghee. Read the holy book of Chitragupta puja. After the completion of Katha, perform aarti. Now take plain new paper & make swastik with roli-ghee, then write the name of five god & goddess with a new pen.

Then write a "MANTRA"- Mashibhajansanyuktaschrasi Twang! Maheetale I

Lekhani-Katinihasta Chitragupta Namostute II 61 II

Chitragupta Namstubhyam Lekhakaksharadayakam I

Kayasthajatimasadya Chitragupta! Namostute II 62 II

Place of worship is first cleaned. Seep chalk & Swastika is drawn on the ground or on some wooden board. A satia is drawn and is decorate by drawing lines on all the four sides. On this the god or goddess to be worshipped is placed. Vermilion is applied on the foreheads of god or goddess idols or photograph.

Earthen lamp or any other type of lamp is lit. In the pooja Vermilion paste, rice, aepen & water in small vessel is kept. These preparation are done little ahead of conducting pooja.

For performing pooja the ring finger is used for dipping and sprinkling water, vermilion, aepen. First the pooja is performed with water then aepen and roli (vermilion) then little rice is touched to the eyes and offered to the god or goddess.

The pooja offerings are done three time each (Sprinkle water ,aepen, roli and chawal )three time each.

Thereafter write your Name, Address (permanent & present), Date (hindi date) your income & expenditure. Then fold the the paper & put before Chitragupt Ji.