Chitra and Gupta write all the accounts of good and bad actions, but they do not look towards the devotees of the Lord. (Asa M. 5, p. 393) Meditating at the door of the Unknowable and Incomprehensible Lord, one attains the Permanent Seat, where there is neither birth nor death nor transmigration, where illusion and suffering cease, where the script of Chitragupta is torn, and the messengers of Yama do not have any power. (Sri Raga M. 5, p. 79) Closing the door and behind many curtains, one commits sin with the wife of another person; when Chitragupta asks for the account, then who will shield you? (Sorath M. 5, p. 616)
Chitragupta is the scribe or registrar of Yama.
When the messengers of Yama take the deceased person to the abode of Yama, they are confronted with Chitragupta, who records their good and bad actions. Yama calls upon him to read the accounts of their deeds. When the account is read, a balance is struck. If the balance happens to go against the person, they are taken to hell, where they are tortured by the supervisors. However, the devotees of the Lord are not harassed.
Some believe that Chitragupta is a single individual who keeps an account of both good and bad actions. Others think that Chitra and Gupta are two separate entities—one recording only good actions and the other recording only bad deeds.
Chitragupta in Hindu Mythology
Chitragupta is a revered figure in Hindu mythology, serving as the scribe or registrar of Yama, the god of death. He holds the role of keeping meticulous records of every individual’s good and bad deeds throughout their life. These records are crucial in deciding the soul’s fate after death. Here’s a deeper look:
Role and Function:
- When a soul departs the physical world, it is brought to Yama’s court by his messengers. Chitragupta reads out the karmic account, determining whether the soul will ascend to heaven (Swarga), descend to hell (Naraka), or face reincarnation.
- Some traditions describe Chitragupta as one individual, while others interpret him as two entities—Chitra, who records good deeds, and Gupta, who notes bad deeds.
Symbolism:
- Chitragupta represents the idea of divine justice and the inevitability of karma. His presence serves as a reminder that every action has consequences, and none can escape accountability.
Cultural Significance:
- Chitragupta is especially venerated in certain Hindu communities, like the Kayasthas, who view him as their patron deity. Chitragupta in the Guru Granth Sahib
In Sikhism, Chitragupta is acknowledged as a metaphor for divine accountability, emphasizing the importance of righteous living and inner devotion rather than fear-based notions of judgment. The Guru Granth Sahib references Chitragupta in several hymns:
Key References:
- Asa M. 5, p. 393: “Chitra and Gupta write all the accounts of good and bad actions, but they do not look toward the devotees of the Lord.”
- This emphasizes that devotion and meditation on God’s name (Naam) liberate one from karmic judgment.
- Sri Raga M. 5, p. 79: “Meditating at the door of the Unknowable and Incomprehensible Lord, one attains the Permanent Seat, where there is neither birth nor death nor transmigration, where the illusion and suffering cease, where the script of Chitragupta is torn, and the messengers of Yama have no power.”
- Here, liberation from the cycle of birth and death is highlighted, showing that divine grace supersedes karmic accountability.
- Sorath M. 5, p. 616: “Closing the door and behind many curtains, one commits sin with the wife of another person; when Chitragupta asks for the account, then who will shield you?”
- This warns against sinful actions, asserting that no deed, however hidden, escapes divine justice.
Philosophical Context:
- Sikh teachings use Chitragupta to illustrate the concept of karma but emphasize that true liberation (Mukti) comes through devotion to God and living in alignment with divine will (Hukam).
- Those who meditate on God’s name transcend the fear of karmic recorders like Chitragupta and Yama’s messengers
- Confluence of Traditions
In Hinduism, Chitragupta symbolizes strict karmic accountability, whereas in Sikhism, he serves as a metaphor for divine justice, highlighting the supremacy of God’s grace and the transformative power of devotion. Both perspectives encourage ethical living but diverge in their approach to liberation and divine judgment.
