Chitragupta is the Hindu god, who is assigned with the task to keep complete record of deeds of human beings and after their death judge them to send to hell or heaven depending on their actions on earth. In some beliefs Chitragupta is the creation of Lord Brahma and the younger brother of death god, Yama.

According to Hindu mythology Brahma is the creator of the whole world. He first created sixteen sons from the different parts of his body. Then lord Brahma created his seventeenth son Chitragupta from his belly. Chitragupta is also called `Kayastha` since he was created from the Kaya(body) of Lord Brahma. He is the divine incarnation in human form. Chitragupta has eight sons namely Gorh, Mathur,Bhatnagar, Saxena, Asthana, Srivastava, Ambastha and Karn.

The Hindu religion believes in the life cycle and rebirth. It is thought that those who have misdoings in life have to take rebirth after a punishment period in the hell to complete their life cycle. The primary duty of Chitragupta is to create log of the lives of all human beings. After the death of the creatures Chitragupta judges and decides whether they will attain `Nirvana` or go to heaven for their good-deeds and get redemption from all worldly troubles or receive punishment for their misdoing in another life form or in the hell.

The Kayastha families in India think themselves to be descendant of Chitragupta. They perform Chitragupta Puja or Dawat (inkpot) Puja in which books and pens are worshipped, indicating the importance of study for the Kayasthas.