Aarti of Lord Chitragupta
An aarti to Chitragupta, the divine record-keeper of Hindu tradition, praising his role as the just recorder of deeds and asking for his grace.
Verses
Victory to Lord Chitragupta, O Lord, victory to Lord Chitragupta. He fulfills the desired fruits of His devotees.
Verse 1
He is the remover of obstacles, the bestower of auspiciousness, and the giver of joy to the saints. He is the protector of His devotees, and His glory spreads across the three worlds.
Verse 2
His form is four-armed, with a dark complexion, and He is adorned in yellow garments. Mother Iravati and Dakshina gracefully adorn His left and right sides.
Verse 3
He is the remover of afflictions, the destroyer of the wicked, and the all-knowing Lord within all hearts. He appeared as the sustainer of creation and the remover of people's sorrows.
Verse 4
The pen, inkpot, conch, and writing tablet shine beautifully in His hands. The Vaijayanti garland of forest flowers captivates the hearts of all three worlds.
Verse 5
He took up the cosmic task of dispensing justice, delighting Lord Brahma. All thirty-three crore deities and divine beings hasten to His feet.
Verse 6
King Sudasa and Grandsire Bhishma remembered You. Without any delay or hesitation, You granted them their desired boons.
Verse 7
For my wife, son, and sister, You are the bestower of their well-being. Where else could I go for refuge, abandoning You, my Lord?
Verse 8
You are my relative, my father, my Lord—whose shelter else could I seek? Other than You, there is no one else in whom I could place my hope.
Verse 9
Those who sing the aarti of Lord Chitragupta with love are surely freed from the cycle of eighty-four lakh births and attain their desired reward.
Verse 10
The judge who resides in Vaikuntha, recording our sins and merits—I take refuge in You; I place my hope in no other.
Verse 11
Victory to Lord Chitragupta, O Lord, victory to Lord Chitragupta. He fulfills the desired fruits of His devotees.
Verse 12
Worship Guidelines & Chanting Benefits (Phalashruti)
Daily or auspicious lunar days (Ekadashi, Purnima, Pradosham)
Brahma Muhurta (4:00 AM – 6:00 AM) or Evening Dusk (Sandhya)
Ghee lamp (Deepa), Incense (Dhoopa), Fresh flowers & Water offering
- Peace of mind, spiritual upliftment, and harmonious energy in the home
Background
This aarti honors Chitragupta, the divine record-keeper of Hindu tradition who is believed to note every person's good and bad deeds for Yama, the lord of dharma and death. It is sung in homes and temples, above all at Chitragupta Puja on Yama Dwitiya (Bhai Dooj), two days after Diwali, and it is especially cherished in Kayastha families who revere him as their patron. Its refrain follows the familiar "Om Jai ... Hare" pattern of North Indian aarti, which makes it easy to sing together with a lamp, in praise and in prayer for happiness and freedom from rebirth.
Did You Know?
Who Is Chitragupta?
Chitragupta is the divine accountant of Hindu tradition, believed to keep a detailed record of every soul's good and bad deeds and to present it to Yama, the lord of death, when the soul's next birth is decided. Puranic accounts, including the Padma Purana, describe him as born from Brahma's body, which is why the Kayastha community reveres him as its patron. He is shown holding a pen and a book or palm-leaf manuscript.
Purpose of the Aarti
The hymn is a prayer of surrender asking Chitragupta to remove obstacles and grant wishes. Verse 10 promises that whoever sings it with love is freed from the cycle of 84 lakh (8.4 million) species of rebirth and receives the desired fruit.
Iconography and Consorts
Verses 3 and 5 describe him with four arms, a dark complexion and yellow garments, holding a pen, an inkpot, a conch and a leaf-manuscript, and wearing a garland of forest flowers called the vaijayanti, said to charm the three worlds. Verse 3 also names Mata Iravati and Dakshina, remembered as his two wives, adorning his left side.
Devotees Who Remembered Him
Verse 7 recalls King Sudasa and Bhishma Pitamaha, who remembered Chitragupta and received their desired fruit without delay. Verse 6 adds that Brahma rejoiced when he took up the work of universal justice, and that thirty-three crore (330 million) gods come to bow at his feet.
Where It Is Sung
On Chitragupta Puja at Yama Dwitiya, families traditionally worship the pen, inkpot and account books and then sing this aarti, honoring the idea that every deed is written and weighed.
More from Hinduism
See allConnected Teachings
The same teaching, echoed across traditions