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Ishta-deva or ishta devata (Sanskrit: इष्ट देव(ता), iṣṭa-deva(tā), literally "cherished divinity" from iṣṭa, "personal, liked, cherished, preferred" and devatā, "godhead, divinity, tutelary deity" or deva, "deity"), is a term used in Hinduism denoting a worshipper's favourite deity.[1][2]
It is especially significant to both the Smarta and Bhakti schools, wherein practitioners choose to worship the form of God that inspires them. Within Smartism, one of five chief deities is selected. Even in denominations that focus on a singular concept of God, such as Vaishnavism, the ishta-deva concept exists. For example, in Vaishnavism, special focus is given to a particular form of Vishnu or one of his avataras (i.e. Krishna or Rama). Similarly within Shaktism, focus is given to a particular form of the Goddess such as Parvati or Lakshmi. The Swaminarayan sect of Vaishnavism has a similar concept, but notably holds that Vishnu and Shiva are different aspects of the same God.[3]
- ^ V. S. Apte, A Practical Sanskrit Dictionary, p. 250.
- ^ Jha, J.C. (1976). "The Hindu Festival of Divali in the Caribbean". Caribbean Quarterly. 22 (1): 57. doi:10.1080/00086495.1976.11829270.
- ^ "Swaminarayan Satsang - Scriptures - Shikshapatri English - Shlok 47". Archived from the original on 17 March 2012. Retrieved 25 September 2011.