The word “Ishta” means desired or cherished, while “Devata” translates to deity or divine being.
Ishta Devata refers to a personal deity or chosen form of the divine that an individual resonates with on a deep spiritual level. It is the embodiment of the divine essence that one feels a strong connection and devotion towards.
Devotion to one’s Ishta Devata can take various forms, including prayers, rituals, meditation, and chanting of mantras associated with the chosen deity. Engaging in these practices allows individuals to establish a profound and intimate relationship with their personal deity, fostering a sense of spiritual connection, guidance, and support.
Jyotish, also known as Vedic Astrology, offers methods to identify an individual’s Ishta Devata based on their birth chart.
How to find your Ishta Devata?
- Find the planet with the highest degree in your birth chart – This is the Atma Karaka or the Soul Planet.
- Find the placement (zodiac sign) of your Atma Karaka planet in your D9 or Navamsha chart.
- The planet which in the 12th house from this sign where your soul planet is, is the one that is associated with your Ishta Devata. If there are no planets in that house, you can find the planets aspecting that house or lording the house.
- If it is Sun – The Ishta devata could be Lord Shiva, Moon – Gauri, Mars – Kartikeya, Mercury – Vishnu, Jupiter – Narayana, Venus – Goddess Lakshmi, Saturn – Brahma or Prajapati, Rahu – Durga, Ketu – Ganesha.
- Note – There are many classic astrology books with different list for these devatas. You can find them all on the Jyotish Reference table section of the Cosmic Insights App.
Find your Ishta Devata on the Cosmic Insights App
- Download or open the Cosmic Insights app and create or navigate to your profile.
- If you are reading this on your mobile phone, please tap here to open the Spirituality module on the Cosmic Insights app.
- If not, please search for “Spirituality” to access this feature on the Cosmic Insights app.
- This module provides you with the planet that represents your Ishta Devata and the deity connected to it.
How to honor your Ishta Devata?
- Daily Rituals: Establish a daily ritual to honor your Ishta Devata. This may include lighting a lamp or candle (Sun, Mars or Ketu) offering flowers (Jupiter), incense (Saturn or Rahu), or food (Moon or Venus). Engage in these rituals with a pure heart and focused mind, offering your love and gratitude to your Ishta Devata.
- Chanting and Mantra Recitation: Explore the sacred chants and mantras associated with your Ishta Devata. Regularly chant or recite these powerful sounds, which hold the essence of divine energy. The vibrations created through chanting can purify the mind, uplift the spirit, and create a harmonious resonance with your Ishta Devata.
- Study and Reflection: Dive into the teachings, stories, and scriptures related to your Ishta Devata. Reflect upon the profound wisdom and lessons offered, integrating them into your daily life and spiritual journey.
- Pilgrimage and Sacred Sites: If possible, consider embarking on a pilgrimage to a sacred site associated with your Ishta Devata. Visiting temples, shrines, or natural spaces considered sacred to your chosen deity can deepen your connection and provide an opportunity for spiritual transformation and renewal.
I think it is impossible to identify my Ishta Devata, because there are many Ayanamsha and knowing which one is true is difficult. In ayanamsha Lahiri with middle nodes, my AK is Rahu and in true Revati with middle nodes, it is Shukra. Now, I don’t know which one I should take as true.
In ayanamsha Lahiri(Chitrapaksha) with middle nodes, my AK is Rahu and the 12th house from Rahu placement on D9, is in Libra where there are no planets. Libra is aspected by Ketu, Sun, Moon and Venus so which of these planets is related to my Istha Devata?
In true ayanamsha Revati(19°48’19”) with mid nodes, my AK is Venus and in my D9, Venus is in Virgo and the 12th house is Libra where there are no planets and Libra, gets aspect of Ketu and Mercury so, which of the planets would be related to my Istha Devata?
Here is my question, which ayanamsha is more accurate and which of the planets will be related to my Istha Devata?
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How do I count the twelfth house from a planets positioning?
If you use the north chart, the twelfth house will be counterclockwise from the Ascendant, but if you use the south chart, the to the twelfth house will be clockwise from the Ascendant. Now, to find your Ishta Devata, you see which sign he is in in D1 and in D9, the twelfth house will be counted from the sign where his AK is in D1. For example, if your Ak is in Leo on D1, the twelfth house will be counted in Leo’s D9 and if Ketu is the in 12, then your Ishta is Ganesha.