How to find Ishta devata from Horoscope?
How to find Ishta devata from Horoscope?
Astrology does give certain combinations. While we may make efforts to find Isht Devata, the concept is much deeper than what is generally understood
Everyone wishes to worship GOD in the form that appeals most to the person’s senses. Despite knowing the GOD is a formless, shapeless divine existence, we tend to find our ‘favourite’ God. The worshippers often seek the ‘correct’ God to worship. And here comes the ‘Isht Devata’. People are interested in finding which is the Isht Devata that they should worship. The curiosity for finding Isht Devata is high. To the extent that we even find ‘online calculators’ of Isht Devata. The concept of Isht Devta is not how we generally understand it. Let us dig deeper into this.
Concept of Isht devata
In simple words, Isht Devata is the deity or God whom we worship as per our horoscope. In crude terms, it can be called as the ‘family’ God or ‘Personal’ God. In more simpler words, Isht Devata is the form of God to which we feel a special unexplained attraction. It is said that Isht Devta is the guide that takes us to moksha or salvation. It helps us in manoeuvring life in all its think and thins. It gives us a sense of purpose and protects us from evil energies. It is said that worshipping Isht Devta is the key that opens the doors towards final emancipation. But, is that a sufficient definition of Isht Devata? Nope. In reality, the concept of Isht Devata has a deeper meaning.
The Spiritual paradigm of Isht Devata
We all are spiritual beings at the core. The outward manifestation of spirituality however widely differs from person to person. All matter in the Universe is eventually ‘energy’. We are all bundles of energy interacting dynamically with the Universe. The planets, the devi devtas, the Gods are all but forms of energy in which the Paramatmamsa (unexplained divine alaukik element) is much higher than Jivaatmamsa (Laukik element). Everything emanates from the Brahm and eventually merges with the Brahm. We are in the Brahm and also we are the Brahm. As the Mahavakya in Vedas say - I am the Brahm (Aham Brahmasmi) and you too are the same (Tat Tvam Asi). Isht Devta is the energy within us that expands our awareness beyond our mind and body. It reveals as the Self. And as we know, ‘Self’ is the only reality, everything else is unreal.
Seen in this light, the concept of Isht Devta is deeply spiritual. People often want material things from Isht Devata such as job, marriage, children, wealth, promotions and what not. If we understand the true spiritual meaning of Isht Devta, we will know that seeking material things and worldly blessings from Ishta Devata would amount to trivialising the very concept of Ishta Devata and its connection with our inner Self.
Combinations in horoscope indicating about Isht Devata-
Astrologers greatly differ on the combinations in horoscope that indicates towards Isht Devata. There are several theories regarding finding the Ishta Devta from a horoscope. Broadly, most agree that two divisional charts - Navamsa (D-9) and Vimsamsa (D-20) are very important in this regard.
In Navamsa, Planet in 12th from AtmaKaraka gives Moksha and is considered to be Moksha devta; Similarly, Planet in 9th from AtmaKaraka (AK) is considered as Dharma Devta. In case there are more than one planets, the strongest planet is taken as the Devta. In case there are no planets in the 12th house from atma karaka, the lord of that house is taken as the Isht Devta. The Deity corresponding to this planet is chosen for propitiation as Isht Devata.
Shri PVR Narsimha Rao- one of the great modern thinkers in astrology has questioned the theory of finding Isht Devta through the 12th house from Atma Karka in D-9. He cites the example of chart of Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa. As per the thumb rule of 12th from AK in D-9 his Isht Devta should be Lord Rama but it is a well known fact that Paramhansa was a great worshipper of Goddess Kali. Sh. PVR Narsimha Rao advices to take 12th sign from Atma Karak in Vimsamsa (D-20) and not in Navamsa (D-9) chart.
Apart from the above, there are several other combinations that various Astrology resources mentions. Some people say Ishta Devata is the fifth lord in Rasi Chart. Some say, the stronger of the fifth and the ninth lord in Rasi chart is the Isht Devta etc. etc. There are no authoritative definitions about Isht Devta in classical texts. The calculations about Isht Devta are not clearly discernible from ancient texts including the Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra.
And Isht Devata is ………
The combinations in horoscope for finding Isht Devata can only serve as a starting point for a spiritual journey. When we delve too much into the combinations for Isht Devata, it amounts to trivialising the Isht Devata as the “Correct God” or “Favourite God” to worship. This is grossly demeaning to the term Ishta Devta.
The spiritual meaning of Isht Devata is the purest and most appropriate. Isht Devata is nothing but the Self. We can discover Self when we remove the layers of inner ignorance. And how do we do it? Through Karma, Gyana and Bhakti that leads us to realisation.
A practical way to discover Isht Devata
Irrespective of combinations in the horoscope, we can start propitiating any God or Deity in which we can remain focus for a few moments daily for an extended period of time. These combinations only serve as a pointer that shows us the path on which we need to trudge in our quest for Self. Once we start our journey, the pointer doesn’t matter.
Whichever deity or the form of God you choose, you can start a simple ten minutes mantra-meditation on the Om Chant daily. Once you have travelled some distance, there will be inner revelations. At some point, the revelations become profound and the quest for Isht Devata becomes meaningless. This is the stage of Self-realisation. Once this stage is arrived, the rest of life, irrespective of pains and pleasure, becomes an absolute bliss.
Let’s start meditation from today. In fact just now. Do spend the next five minutes in silence while the OM Chanting plays in the background🧘♀️