Ishta Devata

Ishta Devata ~ How to Find Ishtadevata ?

Ishta Devata is the personal Deity who will guide the soul to its real home--Moksha. The key role in revealing one's Ishta Devata plays the Atma Karaka. Atma Karaka is the planet that has the highest longitude. To find one's Ishta Devata we have to look at the Atma Karaka in Navamsa, since the Navamsa shows blessings of God onto the native and the way in which the native communicates with God. Navamsa is also known as the dharma-amsa, since it is the 9th division (9th house signifies dharma). Therefore we should look for Ishta Devata in this Varga.

Atma Karaka in Navamsa is called the "Karakamsa". The 12th from the Karakamsa determines the "Istha Devata". The 12th house from the karakamsa is called the "Jivanmuktamsa". This is the house signifying the emancipation of the soul and we have to examine this house in order to find one's Ishta Devata. If there is a graha in the Jivanmuktamsa, it signifies the Devata. If there are more grahas than one, we choose the strongest. If there is no graha in the Jivanmuktamsa, you can see whether any Grahas are aspecting the 12th. If no Grahas aspect it, you can take the 12th Lord as Ishta Devata.

In the chapter called "kaarakaamsa phala" in BPHS, Parasara mentioned the deities worshipped based on the planets in the 12th from kaarakaamsha. For example, Sun in 12th from AK shows a worshipper of Shiva and Moon in 12th from AK shows a worshipper of Gouri. Here are the presiding deities for each planet who will be your Ishta Devata as per your horoscope.

Sun~ Vishnu/ Rama/ Shiva
Moon ~ Krishna/Parvati
Mars ~ Hanuman/ Subramanya/ Sri Narasimha
Mercury ~ Vishnu
Jupiter ~ Vishnu/ Sri Vamana/ Dattatreya/ Sai Baba
Venus ~ Mahalakshmi/ Parashurama
Saturn ~ ShaniDev/ Hanuman/ Kurma
Rahu ~ Durga/ Varaha
Ketu ~ Ganesh/ Matsya
Ascendent ~ Kalki

Everyone is eligible for the worship of one's Ishta Devata and everyone at least should know their Ishta Devata. The process of worship is simple and is based on the chanting of the Dvadakshari Mantra for the appropriate Devata. An examplary Dvadakshari Mantra for Lord Vishnu as Ishta Devata is given by the Parashara Sage in his Vishnu Purana as follows: om namo bhagavate vasudevaya

In the given example chart Mercury is the AK. Its is placed in Pisces in Navamsa Chart. 12th from AK is Aquarius. As no planet is placed in Aquarius take the lord Shani. So his Ishta Devata would be Shani Dev. This native is a great devotee of Shani dev and Lord Hanuman. Saturn is with mars and mars also aspecting 12th from Karakamsa.

OM TAT SAT

Nakshatra (Star) and their Goal

Nakshatra ~ Goal
1. Aswini ~ Darma
2. Bharani ~ Artha
3. Kritika ~ Kama
4. Rohini ~ Moksha
5. Mrigasira ~ Moksha
6. Aridra ~ Kama
7. Punarvasu ~ Artha
8. Pushya ~ Dharma
9. Aslesha ~ Darma
10.Magha ~ Artha
11.Poorvaphalguni ~ Kama
12.Uttaraphalguni ~ Moksha
13.Hasta ~ Moksha
14.Chitra ~ Kama
15.Swati ~ Artha
16.Visakha ~ Dharma
17.Anuradha ~ Darma
18.Jyehsta ~ Artha
19.Moola ~ Kama
20.Poorvashadha ~ Moksha
21.Uttarashadha ~ Moksha
22.Abhijit ~ Kama
23.Sravana ~ Artha
24.Dhanshita ~ Dharma
25.Satabisha ~ Darma
26.Poorvabhadrapada ~ Artha
27.Uttarabhadrapada ~ Kama
28.Revati ~ Moksha

Nakshatra and Body Part

Nakshatra ~ Body Part
1. Ashwini ~ Upper feet
2. Bharani ~ Lower feet
3. Krittika ~ Head
4. Rohini ~ Fore-head
5. Mrigashirsha ~Eye-brows
6. Ardra ~ Eyes
7. Punarvasu ~ Nose
8. Pushya ~ Face
9. Ashlesha ~ Ears
10.Magha ~ Lips & chin
11.PurvaPhalguni ~ Right hand
12.UttarPhalguni ~ Left hand
13.Hasta ~ Fingers
14.Chitra ~ Neck
15.Swati ~ Chest
16.Vishaka ~ Breast
17.Anuradha ~ Stomach
18.Jyeshta ~ Right side
19.Mula ~ Left side
20.PurvaShadha ~ Back
21.UttaraShadha ~ Waist
22.Shravana ~ Genitals
23.Dhanishta ~ Anus
24.Satabisha ~ Right thigh
25.PurvaBhadra ~ Left thigh
26.UttarBhadra ~ Shins
27.Revati ~ Ankles

Nakshatra and Lords

Nakshatra ~ Lords
1. Aswini ~ Ketu
2. Bharani ~ Venus
3. Kritika ~ Sun
4. Rohini ~ Moon
5. Mrigasira ~ Mars
6. Aridra ~ Rahu
7. Punarvasu ~ Jupiter
8. Pushya ~ Saturn
9. Aslesha ~ Mercury
10.Magha ~ Ketu
11.Poorvaphalguni ~ Venus
12.Uttaraphalguni ~ Sun
13.Hasta ~ Moon
14.Chitra ~ Mars
15.Swati ~ Rahu
16.Visakha ~ Jupiter
17.Anuradha ~ Saturn
18.Jyehsta ~ Mercury
19.Moola ~ Ketu
20.Poorvashadha ~ Venus
21.Uttarashadha ~ Sun
22.Sravana ~ Moon
23.Dhanshita ~ Mars
24.Satabisha ~ Rahu
25.Poorvabhadrapada ~ Jupiter
26.Uttarabhadrapada ~ Saturn
27.Revati ~ Mercury

Akshaya Tritiya ~ The Auspicious Day

Akshaya Tritiya ~ The Auspicious Day

Akshaya Tritiya also called Akha Teej is highly auspicious day, that falls on the third Tithi (Lunar day) after Amavasi (no moon) of Shukla Paksha (Bright Half) of Vedic month of Vaishakha. This day is ruled by God Vishnu. It is said that each second on the Akshaya Trithiya day is auspicious and there is no need to look for a ‘muhurat’ on the day. Akshaya Tritiya falling on a Monday or under Rohini Star is considered more auspicious. Akshaya Tritiya is observed when tritiya prevails more before the noon. In 2010, the date of Akshaya Trithiya is May 16.

The word "Akshaya" , a Sanskrit word, literally means “imperishable” or “eternal” (one that never diminishes). “Tritiya” stands for third day. On this day, the Sun and the Moon are in exaltation; they are simultaneously at their peak of brightness, which happens only once every year. It is believed starting a new activity or buying valuables on this day is considered to bring good luck, eternal prosperity and success. It is one of the most popular dates in Hindu calendar for marriages, for beginning new ventures, for investing and for purchasing valuables like gold and diamond. Marrying on Akshaya Tritiya brings good fortune, prosperity and longevity to the couple.

Myths & Legends

There are several reasons for Akshaya Tritiya being considered auspicious. The birthday of the Hindu sage ‘Parasurama’, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu falls on this day. According to Hindu mythology, on this day the Treta Yuga began while 'Dharmasindhu' mentions this is the Adi Tithi of Sata Yuga. The river Ganga, the most holy and sacred river of India, descended to the earth from the heaven on this auspicious day.. Shri Balarama Jayanthi (birthday of Lord Sri Balaram) is also celebrated on the day of Akshaya Tirtiya. Balarama was the elder brother of Lord Sri Krishna. Lord Balarama is also referred as one of the Dasavatara, ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Sudama or Kuchela visiting Lord Krishna in Dwarka with a handful of beaten rice (poha or aval).

Veda Vyasa and Lord Ganesh initiated writing of "Mahabharata" on the day of Akshaya Tritiya . It was on this day that the Pandavas unearthed weapons that decided their victory over the Kauravas. Also, it is also believed that Goddess Vijaya Chamundeshwari killed Asura on this day. Lord Kubera, considered to be the lord of wealth. According to puranas Lord Kubera himself pray to Goddess Lakshmi on this day. For the Jains, it is a special day. Bhagvan Rishabhdev, the first ‘tirthankar’ broke his fast with sugarcane juice after fasting for whole year. Following his example, Jains celebrate this day by fasting. Temples for the pilgrims of Badri Kedar Yatra or the Char Dham Yatra, opens on the Akshaya Tritiya.

The Pandavas received the Akshaya Pathram (bowl) from Lord Krishna (in the Mahabharat) on this day. The food came in abundance, when they were in the forest. Due to this reason, people believe that anything that is acquired on this day will be replenished. This day is specially important as on this day any thing you donate is akshaya or never ending.

Celebration on Akshaya Tritiya

Lord Vishnu and his incarnations are worshipped on the day. People also conduct Lakshmi puja on Akshaya Tritiya. A dip in the Ganges on this day is considered to be very auspicious. Buying gold on this day signifies never-diminishing money or wealth for the whole year. It is the best day to make auspicious beginnings so that they produce imperishable results.