Thread by @VandanaJayrajan

Chitragupta Pooja is performed by Kayasthas who believe in world peace, justice, knowledge and literacy, the four primary virtues depicted by the form of Shree Chitraguptjee.The 2nd day after Diwali is celebrated as Chitragupta Pooja, also known as Kalam-Dawaat Puja.
#Chitragupt

All pens are collected and kept in the Mandir for pooja.
Chitragupta is the Hindu Deity entrusted with the task of keeping complete records of actions of human beings on the earth. He is also referred to as the ‘Bookkeeper’ by human beings and Gods alike.

All human beings are accountable for their actions on the Earth. Chitragupta creates a log of all beings and decides their fate after they shed their mortal coil. Chitragupta owes his heritage to Lord Brahma, who is his father.

Yama, the God of death & the 17th creation of Brahma was initially entrusted with the task of maintaining the records of the dead, but was overwhelmed by the volume of the numbers. He duly beseeched Brahma to provide him with an able assistant to whom he could entrust this task.

Brahma realized the importance of the matter and entrusted the task of maintaining the affairs of the Universe temporarily to Surya, the Sun God, while he pondered over the same. After 11,000 yrs of deep meditation, Lord Chitragupta finally emerged from the mind & body of Brahma.

He appeared with a pen and paper in his hand, wielding outstanding skills in the role of the Heavenly book-keeper. Since he was born in secrecy, he was named Chitragupta (hidden picture). Nothing escaped his vigilant eye and not a single deed went unnoticed.

Chitragupta is also credited with being the first to use letters. He was married twice, to Dakshina Nandini and Irawati Shobawati, with whom he fathered twelve children in all. Chitragupta was born with astute skills in the art of administration and keeping records.

This greatly enhanced his prestige among the Gods and even human beings who acknowledged him as an accomplished custodian of human karmic registers. He blesses his devotees with knowledge, wisdom and an analytical mind which is essential to lead a fruitful life even today.

Kayastha’s are the descendants of Lord Chitragupta. He had 12 sons who became the progenitors of the twelve subdivisions of the Chitraguptavansi Kayasthas, namely Shrivastava, Mathur, Gaur, Nigam, Ashthana, Kulshrestha, Suryadwaja, Bhatnagar, Ambastha, Saxena, Karana and Valmik.

Sons from Iravati (Shobhavati):
1. Kulshrestha
2. Mathur
3. Gaur
4. Bhatnagar
5. Saxena
6. Ambasta
7. Nigam
8. Karna

Sons from Nandini (Dakshina):
1. Srivastava
2. Suryadhvaj
3. Valmik
4. Asthana

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. According to Brihat Brahma Khanda, he was named Kayastha having sprung from the body (kaya) of Brahma. He was directed to perform all sanskars and to have writing as his profession.

The Mahabharata (Anusasan Parva, chapter 130) recites the teaching of Chitragupta requiring men to do virtuous and charitable acts and performing Yagya, saying that men are rewarded or punished according to their good or bad deeds. 🙏

Me, a proud Kayastha. Bhatnagar. 😊
@arminiusss