Have you ever thought, amongst 33 Gods as per ‘Brihandaranyaka Upanishad, what connects you most to a certain God? Reaching out to your Ishtdevta may help to discover the answer to all uncertainties in life. According to Vedic astrology, Ishta Devta is one specific God amongst so many, who guides the soul’s journey to the path of liberation or Moksha. So it is crucial, for those seeking a spiritual path in search of moksha or enlightenment, to understand their Ishta Devta. Astrologers very often get to hear such narratives from their clients. 'I have been a Shiva worshipper, and the dichotomy in his personality always captivated me. Until one day Lord Ganesha graced my life with his blessings, there was an instant intellectual and emotional connection.' So, many times they realise that the natives unknowingly built a strong connection with their Ishta Devta.
Vedic astrology can help to find your Isht Devta
The Isht Devta can be observed in the planetary positions of the birth chart. There are various ways to unravel Ishta Devta, the most basic method is to look at the planet with the highest degree in the Navamsha Chart (D9 Chart ). Navamsa is the 9th division of natives sign, also known as the Dharma-Amsa. It reflects the way a native communicates with a specific God or the blessings of a particular God in his life. So as per the Jaimini Sutra or Jaimini astrology, the 12th house from the Karakamsha or Atmakaraka residing in the Navamsha chart is the Jivanmuktamsa or the planet that signifies your Ishta Devta.
To move further it is essential to understand Karakamsha or Atmakaraka
As per Vedic astrology, it is the Atmakaraka planet in the Navamsha chart which is called the "Karakamsha". The term Atmakaraka can be explained as Atma-Karaka means Soul-Significator. Karaka means the thing that is responsible for some significant incidence or element in life. It has the strongest influence on the horoscope of the native. To find Atmakaraka we look at the planet with the highest degree (0 min-30 Max) in a horoscope. The planet closest to the 30th degree in the Navamsha is the Atmakarka. The term Karaka/Karakatwa is used for the 12 houses and planets in the horoscope to understand the cosmic positions in a chart. As per sage Parashar, there are mainly two types of Karakas, Bhava/House Karakatwa and Planetary Karakatwa/ Planets. And although there are 9 planets in astrology, however, the Jaimini Sutra Vedic Astrology considers only seven Planetary karakas/Karakatwa. Rahu, Ketu, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto planets are not part of the Jaimini planetary Karakas.
“Highest Atmakaraka/Significator of the Soul, starting from the Minutes and Seconds of an Arc (degree), there are 7 Planet/Celestial body as per Jaimini Sutra” However, Brihat Parasara Hora Shastra believed in two schools of thought, one of them Proposed 7 karakas and the other suggested 8 karakas. And the astrologers use both depending upon the Native’s chart to find Ishta Devta. It is also important to know the significance of each planet as they reflect the distractions in life. It keeps you away from achieving your soul power. Since they have the intent to deflect you from the path of a spiritual journey to a materialist world. Do you know why Ketu has not been included in karakas? as Ketu is the planet of moksha or liberator.
While Rahu got included since it can have a significant impact if it is at the highest degree. Considering the fact that when Rahu gets furious it burns our Karma and if it is calm then Rahu adds a boon to our Karma. You will be surprised to know, that Rahu first takes us towards all the gains in life and eventually helps us to surrender the acquisition, and move towards Ketu the moksha planet.
How to discover your Ishta Devta?
Now you know the Karkamsha or the Atmakaraka planet or the highest degree planet residing in the Navamsa chart (9th division or /D9). After this stage, look for the 12th house from the Karakamsa, which will be the Jivanmuktamsa or the planet of your Ishta deva. If there is a planet then it determines the Ishta devata. In the case of 2 planets or more, then the strongest of them will be your Ishta Devta. And if there is no planet in the 12th house from Karakamsha, an aspecting planet in that 12th house, from your Karkamsha in the Navamsha position, will reflect your Ishta Devta. Another possibility is if there are multiple aspects then consider the one which has the strongest aspect. And in case of no aspecting planet then judge the lord of the sign related to the 12th house.
Following are the Ishta Devta for each Atmakarka or Karkamsha Planet
Sun- Lord Rama.
Moon- Lord Krishna.
Mars- Lord Narasimha.
Jupiter- Lord Vamana.
Mercury- Lord Buddha.
Saturn- Lord Kurma.
Venus- Lord Parasurama.
Rahu- Lord Varaha.
This way you can find ur Ishta deva and meditate on it. An astrologer conducts an in-depth analysis of your horoscope and then determines Ishta Devta.
Ishta Devta can also be determined in the 5th house of the chart
This is the simplest way to know your Isht Devta. The 5th house is believed to be the house of the Sun, a natural significator of the soul, whatever planet sits in it at any degree that becomes your Atmakarka planet. If the house is empty then the lord of the house is Ishta Devta and if there is more than one planet, in that case, the strongest planet is your Ishta. But it should a friend of the ascendant lord and the fifth lord.
According to Lord of the 5th House Isht Devta for each planet
Mars- Karthikeya or Narasimha.
Venus- Mahalakshmi
Mercury- Mahavishnu
Sun- Shiva
Jupiter- Shiva.
Moon– Krishna or Gowri
Saturn- Anjaneya, Lord Venkatesha at Tirupathi
Rahu- Durga
Ketu- Ganesha, Shiva
The fifth house is linked with the good karmas of the previous birth or mantras acquired from previous birth. All the good karmas from previous get registered in this house. And thus the existing good ones carry forward to the next birth. That’s why some astrologers also consider the fifth house to find your Ishta Devata. From here we can easily locate the Ishta Devata whom you would have worshipped in your previous incarnations/births.
To conclude
It surely benefits to know your Ishta Devta and you may even correlate it with your inclination towards a certain God. However, it is not mandatory to worship only those ‘Gods or their incarnations. You may choose to follow a different God. But many astrologers have found a strong connection between the Ishta Devta and the ‘God native worships. Moreover finding Ishta Devta is more relevant for those who are on a spiritual journey and desires moksha or salvation. Many realise the desire to attain moksha at a much later stage in life and the Atmakaraka has a special role in making them realise it. The Ishta Devta arrived through Atmakaraka can help to accomplish this journey to liberation. It is believed and also observed that when you worship Ishta Devata regularly with mantra chants, all the obstacles in your life’s path gradually fade away. Instinctively you will be guided towards the right thing and people, making your life buoyant. If you desire to have knowledge of your Ishta Devta you need to consult an expert astrologer to guide you through the process of self-realization and liberation.
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