Kayastha Kutumb (London)
II श्री चित्रगुप्ताय नमः II
चित्रगुप्त नमस्तुभ्यं वेदकसरादात्रे I
(Obeisance to Chitragupta, the giver of letters)
In the Garuda Purana, Chitragupta is hailed as the first man to give the script.
मषीभाजनसंयुक्तश्चरसि त्वं ! महीतले I
लेखनी- कटिनीहस्त चित्रगुप्त नमो S स्तुते II
चित्रगुप्त ! नमस्तुभ्यं लेखकाक्षरदायकम् I
कायस्थजातिमासाद्मय चित्रगुप्त ! नमो S स्तुते II
चित्र इद राजा राजका इदन्यके यके सरस्वतीमनु ।
पर्जन्य इव ततनद धि वर्ष्ट्या सहस्रमयुता ददत ॥
ॐ तट पुरुषाय विद्महे चित्रगुप्त धीमहि तेना लेखा प्रचोदयात I
The Rig Veda mentions an invocation to be made to Chitragupta before offering sacrifice
Kayastha is a community of Hindus originating in India. Sanskrit etymology defines Kayastha as one whose 'Kaya' (being or existence) is 'Sthir' (stable). Thus a person who is stable in all times and under all conditions by virtue of his/her birth in this community is a Kayastha. Ancient Sanskrit texts dating back to the pre-Mughal period, have references to Kayasthas and Chitragupta. The Smriti of Yajnavalkya describes the Kayasthas as writers, scribes and accountants. The Vishnu and Parashara Smritis have also similar references to them, describing them as magistrates, judges and chief executive officers.
Kayasthas have historically occupied the highest government offices, serving as ministers and advisors during early medieval Indian kingdoms and the Mughal Empire, and holding important administrative positions during the British Raj. In today’s times times, Kayasthas have attained success in politics, as well as in the arts and various professional fields. Kayasthas have produced genius like Swami Prabhupada (Hare Krishna Movement-ISKCON), Maharshi Mahesh Yogi (Transcendental Meditation),Sri Aurobindo ( Internal yoga ), Paramahansa Yogananda ( of ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’ & Kriya Yoga fame ) and Swami Vivekananda (Vedanta).
The Kayastha Community is religiously inclined and very close-knit. They instill values of religion and culture. Academics have a very important place in the life of a Kayastha. Sincerity and ward Work are always respected and awarded. Chitragupta Maharaj (Chitragupta the King) is the patron deity of Kayasthas. He is always illustrated with a pen and inkpot.Chitragupt Puja also known as Kalam Dawat (Pen and Inkpot) Puja, is performed by Kayasthas on the second day after Diwali and the next day after new moon night. In this puja books and pen are worshipped, symbolizing the importance of study in the life of a Kayastha.