Chitragupta is a Hindu god assigned with the task of keeping complete records of actions of human beings on the earth, and upon their death, deciding as regards sending them to the heaven or the hell, depending on their actions on the earth. Chitragupta Maharaj (Chitragupta the King) is the patron deity of Kayasthas, a Hindu jati of India.

The legend

The Hindu mythological tradition states that Yama, the Hindu god of death, used to become perplexed and confused while deciding the fate of the dead persons and sending them to the hell or the heaven, in the absence any records of the dead persons’ actions, good or evil, on the earth. Yama narrated his predicament to Brahma and prayed for assistance.

At the instance of Brahma, Lord Shiva commanded Chitragupta maharaj to assume responsibility for this task. Lord Chitragupta is considered

Birth

Chitragupta is believed to have come into existence when Lord Shiva breathed life into a portrait, which his consort Parvati had drawn.

Temples

There are several temples in India, particularly South India, enshrining the Lord Chitragupta. The most famous of them is located at Kanchipuram , Tamilnadu state, India.

Reference

• Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0500510881) by Anna Dhallapiccola