The 2022 Chitra Pournami is being observed at Arunachala on the full
moon day of Chithirai (i.e. April-May). This year the full moon falls
between April 16-17, 2022. The time of Chitra Pournami is regarded as one in
which to satisfy Chitragupta, the chief accountant of Yama, who is believed to
record the commissions and omissions by men in order to punish or reward them
after their death.
Chitra Pournami is said to be conducive to human happiness. Further, if
the occasion happens to fall on a Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, it is
considered specially auspicious and important.
Chitragupta is the God responsible for tracking people through their
lives to determine where they go after they die. He is the son of Lord Brahma,
the creator of the Universe.
In one version of the creation myth of Chitragupta, it is said that
Lord Brahma gave the land of the dead over to the god Yama. Yama was confused
at the number of dead souls who came to him, and would sometimes send the wrong
soul to heaven or to hell. Lord Brahma commanded Yama to keep better track of
everyone but Yama explained it was not possible to keep track of life forms in
all the three worlds.
Lord Brahma, determined to solve this problem for Yama, sat in
meditation for many thousands of years. Finally he opened his eyes, and a man
stood before him with a pen and paper. As Chitragupta was born of Lord Brahma’s
body, Brahma declared that his children would forever be known as Kayasthas. As
he was first conceived in Brahma’s mind, or "chitra", and then made
whole in secrecy, or "gupta", away from the other gods, he was named
Chitragupta.
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Chitragupta: Keeper of the Registry
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Chitragupta is sometimes also referred to as the first man to use
letters. He is known as being meticulous, and tracks with pen and paper every
action of every sentient life form, building a record of them over the course
of their life so that when they die the fate of their soul can be easily
determined.
At the time of birth and death of an individual, adjustments in his
accounts are made, either in the shape of fresh entries or by the removal of
certain entries already in existence. The consciousness controlling this
adjustment is Yama, the god of death and his accountant Chitragupta stands
figuratively for the cosmic ledger of the accounts of jivas’ commissions and
omissions—physical, emotional or mental.
These complete documents are referred to in mystical traditions as the
“Akashic” records, and as they contain the actions of each person from birth to
death, they can be said to contain every action taken in the Universe.
Items associated with Chitragupta in his puja include writing paper,
pen, ink, honey, betel nut, matches, mustard, sugar, sandalwood and
frankincense. A puja is often performed to Chitragupta in reverence of the four
virtues he is seen to embody: justice, peace, literacy, and knowledge. Part of
the Chitragupta puja also includes writing down how much money you make in your
household, and how much you need to make to survive in the following year,
while making offerings of turmeric, flowers, and vermilion.
