ishta devata

[Guest guest]

At my university library here, I found a highly

interesting book published in India, entitled "A Glossary of

Indian Religious Terms and Concepts (by Narenda Nath

Bhattacharyya, Manohar 1990). It defines ishta devata as

follows:"The chosen god; the chosen deity of a person through

whose adoration and worship he tries to attain the

highest goal of life."<br><br>In Eddie Stern's article

"The Jois of Yoga",

<a href=http://www.ashtangayogashala.com/articals-Hindusim.html

target=new>http://www.ashtangayogashala.com/articals-Hindusim.html</a> K P.Jois

is quoted saying: "My Ishta Devata is

Ishvara (Shiva)." According to Indian tradition, Shiva is

one of the 3 manifestations (trimurti) of Ishvara,

the Supreme being, the other 2 manifestations being

Brahma & Vishnu. Shiva is also considered to be the Lord

of all yogis.<br><br>(It seems like John Scott's

book "Ashtanga Yoga" has it all: even a picture of

Lord Shiva on page 11 you can use for your own ishta

devata practice.)

[Guest guest]

Thanks sgee and s2. What a choice phrase to have

to hand. now if only i can remember it. . . my

recent fave word (phrase)<br><br>mirabile dictu

(mee-RAH-bi-lay DIK-too) interjection<br><br> Strange to say;

wonderful to relate.<br><br>Oh yeah went back to ashtanga

last night. What a pleasure. After four months my body

still works, amazed to recall all teh lessons learnt,

all teh moves coming back as if from a dream. And

something else is diferent. The ujayi leading the way. All

my rantings here, you my peers as witnes to my

foolishness as memory, a guide to stop pushing and let the

breath take me. i have only the rest of my life.

<br><br>But damn i ache already this AM. Usually doesnt set

in till the PM, Ill be deffo asnooze this aftie! The

joys of self-employment. . . <br><br>hari om tat sat