Symbolism behing "Ishta Devata."

[Guest guest]

The expression "Jai Ambe,Jai Maheswari,Jai Saraswati,Jai Lakshmi,Jai

Kali," etc., are symbolic and enthusiastic expressions of surrender to the

"Ishta Devata." Ishta Devata represents the family god, which is a unique

Hindu Traditions. The doctrine of Ishta Devata can be explained as follows: A

family may choose the god that satisfies the spiritual longing and make that

god, the object of adoration, love and worship. Since each name and form is

symbolic, Ishta Devata represents some aspect or manifestation of Supreme

Reality. This doctrine helps an individual or a family to concentrate on and

have a special place for one particular manifestation or form of God.

 

Hindu tradition has the tradition of worshiping the Ambaa, the Mother Goddess in

various forms of Durga, Lakshmi or Sarasvati or other associated names. The

list of Ishta Devata also includes other gods which include Vishnu, Maheswara,

Brahma, Ganesha, Karithikeya and others who belong to the families of these

goddesses.

 

The expression - "Jai Ambe" indicates the intensity of Love germinated at the

heart of Bhakta to the Ishta Devata. This is known as Ananya Bhakti which is

in fact intense monotheism. It clears the worshiper's mind of the cobwebs of

superstition and gives a healthy direction to the spirit of devotion. The final

stage of Bhakti is Ekaanta Bhakti, the purest form. At this stage, the seeker

loves God with zero expectation back and the seeker totally surrenders! The

seeker's mind is filled with total devotion and Love and no space left for

desires! This Divine Love negates all worldly love in the mind of the devotee

and the devotee is totally free from ego! Meerabhai in the north India and her

southern counterpart Andal demonstrated Divine Love and attained the Divinity

through total surrender. Divine love represents total representation of

Divinity and consequently, Meerabhai and Andal became the divine symbols of

their pure Love.

 

In Hinduism, TRUTH and Love can't be separated and Love is the human expression

of the TRUTH. Maheshwara and Mahavishnu symbolically represent the TRUTH and

Maheswari and Mahalakshmi symbolically represents Love! Neither Maheswara and

Maheswari nor Mahavishnu and Mahalakshmi can be separated! According to

Hinduism, it is not just one God, but it is indeed "ONLY GOD!"

 

Ram Chandran

[Guest guest]

AUM shrImAtre namaH

 

Dear Ramji,

 

There is a difference between iShTa devataa and kula devataa.

kula devataa is the family deity. iShTa devataa is an

individual's preference. For instance, our kula devataa is shrii

vaidyanaatha of vaidiishwaran koil, thanjaavur. And that temple

is the base for our family. After/before any auspicious event, we

go to that temple. My iShTa devataa is shrii miinakShii of

madhurApuri. But my brother may have a different iShTa devataa.

 

That is why in many pUjas during pUrvaanga puujaa we salute

 

iShTadevataabhyo namaH kula devataabhyo namaH

 

One really learns to see his/her iShTa devaata in all devataa-s

and adored them with the same fervour. This way, even if one has

a iShTa devataa, one does not have a dvesha devata. This is

smArta's way of worship.

 

 

With respects,

Ravi

-------------

na jnAyate ma hitaM nitarAM upAyo

dIno.asmi devI samayAcharaNAkShamo.asmi |

tat.h tvAM ananya sharaNaH sharaNaM prapadye

mInAkShI vishva jananIM jananI mamaiva ||

-------------

 

 

On Wed, 3 Nov 1999, Ram Chandran wrote:

> The expression "Jai Ambe,Jai Maheswari,Jai Saraswati,"

> "Jai Lakshmi,Jai Kali," etc., are symbolic and

> enthusiastic expressions of surrender to the "Ishta Devata."

> Ishta Devata represents the family god, which is a unique

> Hindu Traditions. The doctrine of Ishta Devata can be

> explained as follows: A family may choose the god that

> satisfies the spiritual longing and make that god, the object

> of adoration, love and worship. Since each name and form is

> symbolic, Ishta Devata represents some aspect or

> manifestation of Supreme Reality. This doctrine helps an

> individual or a family to concentrate on and have a special

> place for one particular manifestation or form of God.

[Guest guest]

Hari Om Raviji:

 

Thanks for pointing out the difference between kuladevataa and iShTa

devataa and the distinction is quite important. The kuladeivam and

kulashethram is common for all family members where as individual

members of the family choose different iShtadevataa. One may have

several iShtadevataas in addition to the kuladeivam and worship all of

them with same devotion and dedication. Smarta families are typically

characterized by family origin (vadamas, brahacharnam, arthashastram,

vathimas, etc. and in addition there are further subclasiffications),

Gothram (representation of parampara of nine rishis agasthiyar plus

saptarishis), kuladharma (family traditions), kulakarma (determined by

appropriate Suthrams, shAkhA and Vedas) and kulaguru. Infact, smarta

traditions are smart traditions which require to love everyone and hate

nobody!

 

Ram Chandran

 

 

 

"Ravisankar S. Mayavaram" wrote:

> AUM shrImAtre namaH

>

> Dear Ramji,

>

> There is a difference between iShTa devataa and kula devataa.

> kula devataa is the family deity. iShTa devataa is an

> individual's preference. For instance, our kula devataa is shrii

> vaidyanaatha of vaidiishwaran koil, thanjaavur. And that temple

> is the base for our family. After/before any auspicious event, we

> go to that temple. My iShTa devataa is shrii miinakShii of

> madhurApuri. But my brother may have a different iShTa devataa.

>

> That is why in many pUjas during pUrvaanga puujaa we salute

>

> iShTadevataabhyo namaH kula devataabhyo namaH

>

> One really learns to see his/her iShTa devaata in all devataa-s

> and adored them with the same fervour. This way, even if one has

> a iShTa devataa, one does not have a dvesha devata. This is

> smArta's way of worship.

>

> With respects,

> Ravi

> -------------

> na jnAyate ma hitaM nitarAM upAyo

> dIno.asmi devI samayAcharaNAkShamo.asmi |

> tat.h tvAM ananya sharaNaH sharaNaM prapadye

> mInAkShI vishva jananIM jananI mamaiva ||

> -------------

>

> On Wed, 3 Nov 1999, Ram Chandran wrote:

>

> > The expression "Jai Ambe,Jai Maheswari,Jai Saraswati,"

> > "Jai Lakshmi,Jai Kali," etc., are symbolic and

> > enthusiastic expressions of surrender to the "Ishta Devata."

> > Ishta Devata represents the family god, which is a unique

> > Hindu Traditions. The doctrine of Ishta Devata can be

> > explained as follows: A family may choose the god that

> > satisfies the spiritual longing and make that god, the object

> > of adoration, love and worship. Since each name and form is

> > symbolic, Ishta Devata represents some aspect or

> > manifestation of Supreme Reality. This doctrine helps an

> > individual or a family to concentrate on and have a special

> > place for one particular manifestation or form of God.

 

--

Ram Chandran

Burke, VA