Know about Kayasthas [Part-2]

 Hello Everyone !!!

Continuing from the last post about the Kayasthas...

Kayasthas are believed to be "Dwij-Kshatriyas". They have the right to wear sacred thread (janeu) and rule. Equal to the Brahmins and superior to other classes.

The 4 Types :  

  1. Chitragupta/ Brahma-Kayastha (Caste - Brahmin)
  2. Chandraseniya Kayastha Prabhu/ CKP (Caste - Kshatriya)
  3. Mixed ones
  4. Kayastha by name or profession

Other Facts :

  • Lord Chitragupta is athi-devata for Ketu planet.
  • Kayastha motto - "To live by the sword during war and by ink during peace"

Kayasthas and Lord Chitragupta mentioned in Scriptures :

  • Sri Chitragupta maharaja is the greatest king, while the rest are rajakas. (Rig Veda 8.21.18)
  • Lord Chitragupta was the first man to give the script. (Garuda Purana)
  • Mentioned in Yajnavalya Smriti
  • Mentioned in Vishnu Smriti
  • Mentioned in the Bhavishya Purana
  • Mentioned in Yama Samhita (Ch.9, Ahilya Kamadhenu)
  • Mentioned in Brihad Parashara Smriti
  • "In the picture of Yama, represent Chitragupta on right side, with 2 hands, placid looking, carrying a pen in right hand and a leaf in left hand. He is pointed out as the soul exiting in all bodies.    (Vishnu Dharmottara Purana III.51.1-21)
  • Mentioned in Mahabharata   (Anushasana Parva Ch.13.CXXX)

Historical Mentions and Records :

  • Kayasthas were record-keepers in Gupta empire in Bengal.  (4th cen.)
  • In an inscription of the Gupta emperor Kumaragupta-I   (442 CE/ 5th cen.)
  • In Brahminical religious texts.  (7th cen.)
  • In Sanskrit works of some scholars.  (11-12th cen.)
  • Learnt and worked in Persian in Mughal courts, some Bengali Kayasthas worked as Treasury-officers and Wazirs. Many also became Zamindars and Jagirdars.   (16th cen.)
  • During British rule, they occupied public administration posts, executive and judicial offices. The Bengali Kayasthas also expanded in various businesses and owned mills, mines and factories in Bengal.   (19th-20th cen.) 


Thanks for Reading !!!

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