Chitragupta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Maharaja Chitragupta or Dharmaraja
Chitragupta in Bangkok City Pillar Shrine Thailand.
Affiliation	Deva
Mantra	ॐ श्री चित्रगुप्ताय नमः (Oṃ shri chitraguptaay Namaḥ)
Weapon	lekhani (Pen), Katani (Ink) and Katar (sword)
Personal information
Consort	Nandini and Shobhawati
Parents	Brahma (father) Saraswati (mother)
Siblings	Four Kumaras, Narada, Daksha

Chitragupta is an important god in Hinduism. He is known as the "Lord of Justice" or "Record Keeper." His main job is to keep track of all the good and bad actions (called karma) that people do while they are alive on Earth.

When someone passes away, Chitragupta uses these records. He helps decide if a person's soul will go to heaven or a place of consequence. This decision is based on their actions during their life.

Who is Chitragupta?

Chitragupta is a special divine accountant. He works for Yama, the god of death. His role is to make sure that everyone's actions are recorded fairly. This helps maintain balance in the universe.

How He Was Created

According to Hindu stories, Chitragupta was created by the god Brahma. Brahma is known as the creator of the universe. Yama, the god of death, found it hard to keep track of all the deeds of humans. So, he asked Brahma for help.

Brahma meditated for a long time. Then, Chitragupta appeared from Brahma's body. This is why his name means "hidden picture" or "secret record." He was given the task of keeping detailed records of every living being.

His Family

Chitragupta's father is Brahma, the creator god. His mother is Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. He has several siblings, including the Four Kumaras, Narada, and Daksha.

Chitragupta has two wives: Nandini and Shobhawati. His family plays a role in various Hindu stories and traditions.

His Tools and Symbols

Chitragupta is often shown holding a pen (called lekhani). He also has ink (called katani) and a large book. These items symbolize his job as a record keeper. The pen and ink are for writing down all human actions. The book holds the complete history of every soul.

Sometimes, he is also shown with a sword (called katar). The sword represents his role in delivering justice. It shows that he helps decide the consequences of actions.

Karma and Justice

In Hinduism, karma means that every action has a reaction. Good actions lead to good results, and bad actions lead to bad results. Chitragupta's records are essential for this system of justice.

After a person's death, their soul comes before Yama's court. Chitragupta reads out the detailed account of their life. Based on these records, a fair judgment is made. This judgment decides the soul's next journey. It could be rebirth, or a period in a heavenly or challenging realm. This system ensures that everyone faces the consequences of their deeds.

Images for kids

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  Yama's court and hell. The blue figure is Yama with Yami and Chitragupta. 17th-century painting

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  A large central panel portrays Yama 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.

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  Khajuraho India, Chitragupta Temple

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  Chitragupta temple, Kanchipuram