Chitragupta: Yama’s Accountant

By Krithika Nair

Once, Yama complained to Brahma that he found it difficult to keep track of everyone’s actions on earth. Brahma meditated upon the problem and out of his body emerged a man holding a pen and an inkpot. Brahma named him Chitragupta and he became the accountant of people’s deeds, responsible for keeping track of their actions, virtues and vices.

After human beings depart from the land of the living, they are brought to Yama so that their fate of going to Svarga Loka or Naraka Loka can be decided. Based on Chitragupta’s records of the person’s deeds and misdeeds on earth, Yama passes his judgement.

Chitragupta is also known as Kayastha, as he existed unseen in Brahma’s kaya or body. The Chitraguptavanshi Kayastha community of North India, who traditionally worked as administrators, accountants and scribes, believe that their lineage can be traced back to Chitragupta.