CHITHRA POURNAMI

CHITHRA POURNAMI

We have our months based on the entry of Sun in a particular rasi, and thus the first month of the year, that is beginning of Chithirai is when the Sun enters Mesha Rasi.   The full moon day of the month of Chithirai is known as Chithra Pournami.  This year, it is today – the 19^th of April 2019 – Friday. 

The Surya Bhagavan is considered as that of having a control over our body and the Moon, on our mind.  In the Trimoorthys, The Sun and Moon are amsams of Lord Siva and Parvathi among the Tri-murthys.  Hence on the day of Chithra Pournami, special poojas are offered in Siva temples.  People observe fast from morning till evening, on the day of Chithra Pournami and also do not add salt in the food. 

Creator Brahma goes on a deep meditation, entrusting the work to Surya Bhagavan.  After 10,000 years when he opens his eyes, he found a young man with materials to write and he had broad shoulders and eyes like Lotus. When brahma asked who he was, the young man replied he came out of the body of Brahma when he was in Meditation.  As he came out of the body of Brahma, “ Kaya” – Brahma named him as Kayastha and would be called as Chithragupta.

As per our belief, from the Puranas and Epics, a record of our papa and punya are kept by Chithragupta, who assists Yamadharamarajan.  An other way how Chithragupta was born goes like this. Lord Shiva himself drew a picture of a rainbow and gave it to his consort, Goddess Parvathi. The Goddess made the image come to life and thus, Shri Chitragupta Swamy came to being .  Another says he was born to Kamadhenu.  He would only decide further course on the action of particular athma, when it leaves the mortal soul here.  Hence on the day of Chithra Pournami, prayers are offered to Chithragupta to forgive their sins and slogam recited as thus:

Mashibhajansanyuktaschrasi Twang! Maheetale|

Lekhani-Katinihasta Chitragupta Namostute ||

Chitragupta Namstubhyam Lekhakaksharadayakam |

Kayasthajatimasadya Chitragupta! Namostute ||

People keep writing materials of the present era, paper and pencil and also pray for bringing down their papa. thus to bring down their papa account and also pray for avoiding to commit sins in future.

கடுகு போன்ற புண்ணியத்தை மலை போலவும், மலை போல பாவத்தை கடுகு போலவும் எழுதவும்.

(The large no. of papas, like a mountain, be made to that of a mustard and the small punyas like mustards done be considered large like a mountain)

Besides, to overcome the effects of our Karma, annathanam which is considered the best of Dhanams are also done on this day, Curd rice and neermor are offered to the devotees.  In earlier days, it was the practice to offer rice, dhal, vegetbles and Dhakshina in a “Muram” as Dhanam. 

                                          Chithragupta swamy temple

In Kanchipuram, there is a temple for Chithragupthan.