Ishta-Deva

<p >Within <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism" title="Hinduism" >Hinduism</a>, an <b>Ishta-deva</b> or <b>Ishta devata</b> (Sanskrit <i>iṣṭa-deva(tā)</i>, literally "cherished <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva(Hinduism)" title="Deva (Hinduism)" >divinity</a>" from <i>iṣṭa</i> "desired, liked, cherished" and<i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devat%C4%81" title="Devatā" class="mw-redirect" >devatā</a></i> "godhead, divinity, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tutelary_deity" title="Tutelary deity" >tutelary deity</a>" or <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deva(Hinduism)" title="Deva (Hinduism)" >deva</a></i> "deity") is a term denoting a worshipper's favourite deity.<sup id="cite_ref-0" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishta-deva#cite_note-0" >[1]</a></sup></p>

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It is especially significant to both the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smarta" title="Smarta" class="mw-redirect" >Smarta</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti" title="Bhakti" >Bhakti</a> schools wherein practitioners choose to worship the form of God which inspires them the most. Within <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartism" title="Smartism" >Smartism</a>, one of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishta-deva#Formal_Smarta_worship" title="Ishta-deva" class="mw-redirect" >five chief deities</a> are selected. Even in denominations that focus on a singular concept of God, such as<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism" title="Vaishnavism" >Vaishnavism</a>, the ishta deva concept exists. For example, in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavism" title="Vaishnavism" >Vaishnavism</a>, special focus is given to a particular form of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishnu" title="Vishnu" >Vishnu</a> or one of his<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar" title="Avatar" >Avatars</a> (i.e. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krishna" title="Krishna" >Krishna</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rama" title="Rama" >Rama</a>), and similarly within <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaktism" title="Shaktism" >Shaktism</a>, focus is given to a particular form of the Goddess such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parvati" title="Parvati" >Parvati</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi" title="Lakshmi" >Lakshmi</a>. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaminarayan" title="Swaminarayan" >Swaminarayan</a> sect of Vaishnavism has a similar concept, but notably differ from practically all Vaishnavite schools in holding that Vishnu and Shiva are different aspects of the same God.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishta-deva#cite_note-1" >[2]</a></sup>

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<h2 >Human Ishta-devas?</h2>

<p >Within a number of Hindu traditions, both presently and in the past, living people have claimed (or are claimed by followers) to be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar" title="Avatar" >Avatars</a> of a divine or Supreme being. In these cases followers have then in some instances worshipped these individuals as Ishta-devas. Although these tend to be minority groups within Hindism, it has been a growing tendency in modern times (the followers of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sathya_Sai_Baba" title="Sathya Sai Baba" >Sai Baba</a> being one such example). This often attracts criticism from other Hindu traditions who do not share the same belief.

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Tapasyananda" title="Swami Tapasyananda" class="mw-redirect" >Swami Tapasyananda</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramakrishna_Mission" title="Ramakrishna Mission" >Ramakrishna Mission</a>, in his book, <i>Bhakti Schools of Vedanta,</i> pg. 50, on commentating about this phenomenon, said:</p>

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<dd ><i>The avatar doctrine has been excessively abused by many Hindus today and we have the strange phenomenon of every disciple of a sectarian Guru claiming him to be an avatar. Christianity has therefore limited the Divine Incarnation as a one-time phenomenon. The theory has strong points and equally strong defects but it surmounts the gross abuse of the doctrine indulged in by many Hindus.</i></dd>

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<p >Thus, if followers respect and revere the guru, it is only proper if they are using him as a conduit to God, and respect him as a teacher.</p>

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However, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swami_Sivananda" title="Swami Sivananda" class="mw-redirect" >Swami Sivananda</a> has said that a guru can be likened to God if he himself has attained realization and is a link between the individual and the Absolute. Such a guru, according to his definition and interpretation, should have actually attained union with God, inspire devotion in others, and have a presence that purifies all. Such a case is limited in contemporary times.</p>

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As early as the seventeenth century, a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaishnavite" title="Vaishnavite" class="mw-redirect" >Vaishnavite</a> saint, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raghavendra_Swami" title="Raghavendra Swami" >Raghavendra Swami</a>, in his last speech before departing from the mortal world, warned about the dangers of fraudulent gurus by saying:

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<dd ><i>"The search for knowledge is never easy. As the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanishads" title="Upanishads" >Upanishads</a> say it is like walking on the razor's edge. But for those who have strong faith and put in sustained effort and have the blessings of Shi <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari" title="Hari" >Hari</a> and guru this is not difficult. Always keep away from people who merely perform miracles without following the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shastras" title="Shastras" class="mw-redirect" >shastras</a> and yet call themselves God or guru. I have performed miracles, and so have great persons like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrimadacharya" title="Shrimadacharya" class="mw-redirect" >Shrimadacharya</a>. These are based on yoga siddhi and the shastras. There is no fraud or trickery at all. These miracles were performed only to show the greatness of God and the wonderful powers that one can attain with His grace. Right knowledge (jnana) is greater than any miracle. Without this no real miracle can take place. Any miracle performed without this right knowledge is only</i>witchcraft<i>. No good will come to those who perform such miracles and also those who believe in them."</i></dd>

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<td ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Hinduism" title="Portal:Hinduism" >Hinduism portal</a></td>

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<ul >

<li ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti_Yoga" title="Bhakti Yoga" class="mw-redirect" >Bhakti Yoga</a></li>

<li ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhakti" title="Bhakti" >Bhakti</a></li>

<li ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuldevta" title="Kuldevta" class="mw-redirect" >Kuldevta</a></li>

<li ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartism" title="Smartism" >Smartism</a></li>

<li ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedanta" title="Vedanta" >Vedanta</a></li>

<li ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patron_saint" title="Patron saint" >Patron saint</a>, for a similar concept of a personally-favoured supernatural being</li>

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