Original text
॥ दोहा ॥ सुमिर चित्रगुप्त ईश को, सतत नवाऊ शीश। ब्रह्मा विष्णु महेश सह, रिनिहा भए जगदीश॥ करो कृपा करिवर वदन, जो सरशुती सहाय। चित्रगुप्त जस विमलयश, वंदन गुरूपद लाय॥ ॥ चौपाई ॥ जय चित्रगुप्त ज्ञान रत्नाकर। जय यमेश दिगंत उजागर॥ अज सहाय अवतरेउ गुसांई। कीन्हेउ काज ब्रम्ह कीनाई॥ श्रृष्टि सृजनहित अजमन जांचा। भांति-भांति के जीवन राचा॥ अज की रचना मानव संदर। मानव मति अज होइ निरूत्तर ॥ भए प्रकट चित्रगुप्त सहाई। धर्माधर्म गुण ज्ञान कराई॥ राचेउ धरम धरम जग मांही। धर्म अवतार लेत तुम पांही॥ अहम विवेकइ तुमहि विधाता। निज सत्ता पा करहिं कुघाता॥ श्रष्टि संतुलन के तुम स्वामी। त्रय देवन कर शक्ति समानी ॥ पाप मृत्यु जग में तुम लाए। भयका भूत सकल जग छाए॥ महाकाल के तुम हो साक्षी। ब्रम्हउ मरन न जान मीनाक्षी॥ धर्म कृष्ण तुम जग उपजायो। कर्म क्षेत्र गुण ज्ञान करायो॥ राम धर्म हित जग पगु धारे। मानवगुण सदगुण अति प्यारे ॥ विष्णु चक्र पर तुमहि विराजें। पालन धर्म करम शुचि साजे॥ महादेव के तुम त्रय लोचन। प्रेरकशिव अस ताण्डव नर्तन॥ सावित्री पर कृपा निराली। विद्यानिधि माँ सब जग आली॥ रमा भाल पर कर अति दाया। श्रीनिधि अगम अकूत अगाया ॥ ऊमा विच शक्ति शुचि राच्यो। जाकेबिन शिव शव जग बाच्यो॥ गुरू बृहस्पति सुर पति नाथा। जाके कर्म गहइ तव हाथा॥ रावण कंस सकल मतवारे। तव प्रताप सब सरग सिधारे॥ प्रथम् पूज्य गणपति महदेवा। सोउ करत तुम्हारी सेवा ॥ रिद्धि सिद्धि पाय द्वैनारी। विघ्न हरण शुभ काज संवारी॥ व्यास चहइ रच वेद पुराना। गणपति लिपिबध हितमन ठाना॥ पोथी मसि शुचि लेखनी दीन्हा। असवर देय जगत कृत कीन्हा॥ लेखनि मसि सह कागद कोरा। तव प्रताप अजु जगत मझोरा ॥ विद्या विनय पराक्रम भारी। तुम आधार जगत आभारी॥ द्वादस पूत जगत अस लाए। राशी चक्र आधार सुहाए॥ जस पूता तस राशि रचाना। ज्योतिष केतुम जनक महाना॥ तिथी लगन होरा दिग्दर्शन। चारि अष्ट चित्रांश सुदर्शन ॥ राशी नखत जो जातक धारे। धरम करम फल तुमहि अधारे॥ राम कृष्ण गुरूवर गृह जाई। प्रथम गुरू महिमा गुण गाई॥ श्री गणेश तव बंदन कीना। कर्म अकर्म तुमहि आधीना॥ देववृत जप तप वृत कीन्हा। इच्छा मृत्यु परम वर दीन्हा ॥ धर्महीन सौदास कुराजा। तप तुम्हार बैकुण्ठ विराजा॥ हरि पद दीन्ह धर्म हरि नामा। कायथ परिजन परम पितामा॥ शुर शुयशमा बन जामाता। क्षत्रिय विप्र सकल आदाता॥ जय जय चित्रगुप्त गुसांई। गुरूवर गुरू पद पाय सहाई ॥ जो शत पाठ करइ चालीसा। जन्ममरण दुःख कटइ कलेसा॥ विनय करैं कुलदीप शुवेशा। राख पिता सम नेह हमेशा॥ ॥ दोहा ॥ ज्ञान कलम, मसि सरस्वती, अंबर है मसिपात्र। कालचक्र की पुस्तिका, सदा रखे दंडास्त्र॥ पाप पुन्य लेखा करन, धार्यो चित्र स्वरूप। श्रृष्टिसंतुलन स्वामीसदा, सरग नरक कर भूप॥ ॥ इति श्री चित्रगुप्त चालीसा समाप्त॥
Transliteration
Doha: Sumir Chitragupta Ish Ko, Satat Navau Shish Brahma Vishnu Mahesh Sah, Riniha Bhae Jagadish. Karo Kripa Karivar Vadan, Jo Sarashuti Sahay Chitragupta Jas Vimalayash, Vandan Gurupad Lay. Chaupai: Jai Chitragupta Gyan Ratnakar Jai Yamesh Digant Ujagar. Aj Sahay Avatareu Gusani Kinheu Kaj Bramha Kinai. Shrrishti Srijanahit Ajaman Jancha Bhanti-bhanti Ke Jivan Racha. Aj Ki Rachana Manav Sandar Manav Mati Aj Hoi Niruttar. Bhae Prakat Chitragupta Sahai Dharmadharma Gun Gyan Karai. Racheu Dharam Dharam Jag Manhi Dharma Avatar Let Tum Panhi. Aham Vivekai Tumahi Vidhata Nij Satta Pa Karahin Kughata. Shrashti Santulan Ke Tum Svami Tray Devan Kar Shakti Samani. Pap Mrityu Jag Mein Tum Lae Bhayaka Bhut Sakal Jag Chhae. Mahakal Ke Tum Ho Sakshi Bramhau Maran Na Jan Minakshi. Dharma Krishna Tum Jag Upajayo Karma Kshetra Gun Gyan Karayo. Ram Dharma Hit Jag Pagu Dhare Manavagun Sadagun Ati Pyare. Vishnu Chakra Par Tumahi Virajen Palan Dharma Karam Shuchi Saje. Mahadev Ke Tum Tray Lochan Prerakashiv As Tandav Nartan. Savitri Par Kripa Nirali Vidyanidhi Man Sab Jag Ali. Rama Bhal Par Kar Ati Daya Shrinidhi Agam Akut Agaya. Uma Vich Shakti Shuchi Rachyo Jakebin Shiv Shav Jag Bachyo. Guru Brihaspati Sur Pati Natha Jake Karma Gahai Tav Hatha. Ravan Kans Sakal Matavare Tav Pratap Sab Sarag Sidhare. Pratham Pujya Ganapati Mahadeva Sou Karat Tumhari Seva. Riddhi Siddhi Pay Dvainari Vighna Haran Shubh Kaj Sanvari. Vyas Chahai Rach Ved Purana Ganapati Lipibadh Hitaman Thana. Pothi Masi Shuchi Lekhani Dinha Asavar Dey Jagat Krit Kinha. Lekhani Masi Sah Kagad Kora Tav Pratap Aju Jagat Majhora. Vidya Vinay Parakram Bhari Tum Adhar Jagat Abhari. Dvadas Put Jagat As Lae Rashi Chakra Adhar Suhae. Jas Puta Tas Rashi Rachana Jyotish Ketum Janak Mahana. Tithi Lagan Hora Digdarshan Chari Ashta Chitransh Sudarshan. Rashi Nakhat Jo Jatak Dhare Dharam Karam Phal Tumahi Adhare. Ram Krishna Guruvar Grih Jai Pratham Guru Mahima Gun Gai. Shri Ganesh Tav Bandan Kina Karma Akarma Tumahi Adhina. Devavrit Jap Tap Vrit Kinha Ichchha Mrityu Param Var Dinha. Dharmahin Saudas Kuraja Tap Tumhar Baikuntha Viraja. Hari Pad Dinha Dharma Hari Nama Kayath Parijan Param Pitama. Shur Shuyashama Ban Jamata Kshatriy Vipra Sakal Adata. Jai Jai Chitragupta Gusani Guruvar Guru Pad Pay Sahai. Jo Shat Path Karai Chalisa Janmamaran Duhkh Katai Kalesa. Vinay Karain Kuladip Shuvesha Rakh Pita Sam Neh Hamesha. Doha: Gyan Kalam, Masi Sarasvati, Ambar Hai Masipatra Kalachakra Ki Pustika, Sada Rakhe Dandastra. Pap Punya Lekha Karan, Dharyo Chitra Svarup Shrrishtisantulan Svamisada, Sarag Narak Kar Bhup. Iti Shri Chitragupta Chalisa Samapta.
The recorder of deeds
Chitragupta is the divine accountant in Yama's court: he keeps the record of every being's good and bad actions, and when a soul arrives before Yama it is his ledger that is read. His name is usually explained as "hidden picture" — the image of each life that he holds secretly. The Puranas say he emerged from Brahma after long meditation, with pen and inkpot in hand, so that the work of judging the dead would be done without error. Kayastha communities regard him as their ancestor and chief deity.
What the chalisa says
The chalisa treats him less as a clerk and more as the principle that keeps the universe in balance:
- His origin: when Aja (Brahma) had created humans and was at a loss how to govern their minds, Chitragupta appeared to teach the knowledge of dharma and adharma.
- "Lord of the balance of creation": he brought sin and death into the world, the chalisa says, as the necessary counterweight to creation, and is the witness even to Mahakal.
- Every god's karma: he sits on Vishnu's chakra, is the third eye of Mahadev, favours Savitri and Lakshmi; Brihaspati's deeds are in his hand; the arrogant Ravana and Kamsa met their end by his power; even Ganesha serves him.
- Writing itself: when Vyasa wanted the Vedas and Puranas written and Ganesha agreed to be the scribe, it was Chitragupta who gave the book, the clean ink and the pen — "by your glory, pen and ink and blank paper still move the world".
- Astrology: his twelve sons are said to be the basis of the twelve signs of the zodiac, and he the father of jyotish — tithi, lagna, hora and the rest; the fruit of every native's karma rests on him.
- Grace: Bhishma's boon of choosing his own death, King Saudasa's release from sin to Vaikuntha — both are credited to him.
The final doha gives his emblems: knowledge as the pen, Saraswati as the ink, the sky as the inkpot, and the wheel of time as his ledger — keeping the account of sin and merit, "king of heaven and hell".
When and how to recite it
- Yama Dwitiya / Bhai Dooj, Kartik shukla dwitiya (two days after Diwali), is Chitragupta Puja. Pens, ink, account books and, today, laptops are placed before his image and worshipped; many write the first entry of the new year's accounts that day.
- Some Kayastha families also observe Chaitra shukla dwitiya.
- The puja usually ends with the chalisa, his aarti and the Chitragupta katha; writing is often avoided for the rest of the day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chitragupta Puja?
On Yama Dwitiya, Kartik shukla dwitiya, which is also Bhai Dooj — two days after Diwali.
Why are pen and ink worshipped on Chitragupta Puja?
They are his instruments of record-keeping. The chalisa's last doha calls knowledge his pen, Saraswati his ink and the sky his inkpot.
Who are the twelve sons of Chitragupta?
In Kayastha tradition, the ancestors of the twelve Kayastha sub-groups. The chalisa adds that the zodiac's twelve signs are modelled on them.
Is Chitragupta the same as Yama?
No. Yama is the judge of the dead; Chitragupta is the keeper of the record on which judgment rests, and sits beside him.
How many times should the Chitragupt Chalisa be recited?
Once at the puja is usual. The chalisa itself says a hundred recitations cut the sorrow of birth and death.
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