How To Worship Chitragupta in Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide
Chitragupta, the divine record-keeper in Hindu mythology, is the deity responsible for maintaining the karmic balance and recording the deeds of all beings. Worshiping Chitragupta, especially on auspicious occasions like Chitragupta Jayanti or Yama Dvitiya (Bhai Dooj), brings blessings of honesty, righteousness, and purity. Below is a detailed guide for worshipping Chitragupta in a traditional and eco-friendly way.
Importance of Worshiping Chitragupta
Chitragupta holds the significant role of Dharma's scribe, recording every individual's karma—good and bad actions. Worshiping him invokes the blessings of righteousness and ensures moral living. People often worship him to seek forgiveness for past wrongdoings, clear negative karma, and invite prosperity and dharma into their lives.
Best Time for Worship
- Chitragupta Jayanti is celebrated on the Yama Dwitiya, the second day after Diwali.
- Auspicious Time: Perform the puja during the morning hours, preferably between 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. for maximum spiritual benefits.
- Daily Puja: If performed daily, early morning before sunrise is ideal.
Cleanliness and Purity in Worship
- Personal Cleanliness: Take a bath and wear clean, freshly washed clothes before starting the puja.
- Sanctify the Space: Clean the puja space thoroughly, sprinkle Ganga Jal (holy water) to purify it, and ensure no harmful chemicals are used during the cleaning process.
Color of Clothes to Wear
- It is customary to wear white or yellow clothes during the puja, as these colors symbolize purity, wisdom, and devotion.
Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
Use traditional, biodegradable, and eco-friendly products that don’t harm the environment. Here's a list of items needed for Chitragupta puja:
- Idol or Picture: A clay or eco-friendly image of Chitragupta.
- Puja Thali: Made of brass or copper (reusable, eco-friendly materials).
- Flowers: Fresh, natural flowers like marigold or jasmine (avoid plastic or synthetic flowers).
- Incense Sticks and Diyas: Use natural incense (like sandalwood) and oil diyas made of clay, filled with ghee or mustard oil.
- Chandan (Sandalwood Paste): Use natural sandalwood paste for tilak.
- Kumkum and Akshat: Eco-friendly organic vermilion (kumkum) and unbroken rice grains (akshat).
- Ghee: For lighting the lamps and offering in the fire (if performing havan).
- Fruits: Fresh seasonal fruits.
- Betel Leaves and Betel Nuts: Traditionally used in many Hindu pujas.
- Jaggery and Sesame Seeds: Eco-friendly prasad ingredients, typically used in offerings.
- Holy Water: Ideally Ganga Jal for purification.
- Books or Ledger (Bahi-Khata): It is traditional to worship accounting books during Chitragupta Puja as he is associated with record-keeping.
Simple Steps for Performing Chitragupta Puja
- Prepare the Puja Altar: Place a clean cloth and set up the idol or picture of Chitragupta.
- Purify the Space: Sprinkle Ganga Jal to purify the space. Light a diya with ghee.
- Invoke Ganesha: Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles. Recite:
- "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" (3 times)
- Offerings: Offer flowers, sandalwood paste, and incense to Chitragupta.
- Prasad: Prepare simple prasad like sesame seeds mixed with jaggery or kheer (milk pudding). Offer the prasad while chanting Chitragupta’s name.
- Recite Mantras and Prayers:
- Chitragupta Mantra:
- "Om Chitraguptaya Namah"
- Sankalpa (Vow): Take a vow to follow the path of righteousness and keep a moral balance in life.
- Chitragupta Mantra:
- Offer Water (Arghya): Offer water to Chitragupta and chant:
- "Om Devaya Vidmahe Chitraguptaya Dhimahi Tanno Yamaha Prachodayat."
- Read or Recite from a Ledger or Books: If possible, recite portions of any sacred texts, or go through personal financial or karmic accounts, asking for blessings in maintaining ethical records.
Prasad to Prepare
- Kheer: A simple rice pudding made with milk, rice, and jaggery.
- Sesame-Jaggery Mix: Offering sesame and jaggery is traditional and eco-friendly, symbolizing purity and good karma.
Mantras and Prayers
- Chitragupta Gayatri Mantra:
- "Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Chitraguptaya Dhimahi Tanno Yamaha Prachodayat."
- Chitragupta Sloka:
- "Chitragupta Mahaprajna, Lokaanaam Kirtivardhanah, Chitrarupa Dharam Devam Chitraguptam Namamyaham."
These mantras are powerful for seeking forgiveness and invoking Chitragupta's grace to lead a righteous life.
How to Conclude the Puja
- Final Aarti: Perform an aarti using a ghee diya. Sing aarti songs while rotating the diya in a clockwise direction.
- Prayers for Blessings: Conclude the puja by offering heartfelt prayers asking for forgiveness for any wrongdoings and seeking Chitragupta’s blessings to live a virtuous life.
- Distribute Prasad: Share the prasad with family and neighbors as a form of divine blessings.
- Visarjan (Farewell): Offer water to the deity symbolically as a gesture of respect before concluding.
What to Do with the Puja Leftover Items
- Flowers and Organic Offerings: Compost the flowers and organic materials.
- Diya Oil and Ash: The leftover oil from diyas can be used in plants, and ash can be mixed into the soil, as it is biodegradable and eco-friendly.
- Puja Thali and Items: Reuse copper or brass puja thalis for future worship.
- Cloth and Ribbons: Reuse any cloth or fabric after cleaning.
Benefits of Worshiping Chitragupta
- Karmic Balance: Helps in balancing past karma and purifying one’s actions.
- Prosperity: Blesses the devotee with prosperity in life, especially in financial matters.
- Moral Uprightness: Cultivates ethical behavior and honesty in professional and personal life.
- Forgiveness: Devotees seek forgiveness for wrong deeds and thus reduce the burden of negative karma.
- Clarity of Mind: Brings clarity in decision-making and inspires adherence to dharma.
By following this eco-friendly and traditional guide, you can worship Chitragupta with devotion, ensuring that both spiritual and environmental principles are honored.