Ishtadevata, Iṣṭa-devatā, Iṣṭa-deva, Ishta-devata, Ishtadeva, Iṣṭadeva: 11 definitions

Introduction
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In Hinduism
Languages
1. Marathi
2. Sanskrit
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Introduction:

Ishtadevata means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit terms Iṣṭa-devatā and Iṣṭa-deva and Iṣṭadeva can be transliterated into English as Ista-devata or Ishta-devata or Ista-deva or Ishta-deva or Istadeva or Ishtadeva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Images (photo gallery)

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव) refers to “one’s own favourite deity”, according to the Śivapurāṇa 2.1.12, while explaining details of worship:—“[...] the root of devotion (bhakti) is good action (satkarma) and the worship of one’s own favourite deity (iṣṭadeva). The root of that is the good preceptor. A good preceptor (sadguru) is secured only through association with good people (satsaṃgati). If one associates with good people, one will come across a preceptor. From the preceptor mantras and the modes of worship can be learned. Bhakti (devotion) is generated by worship and it gives birth to knowledge”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma)

Source: Pure Bhakti: Brhad Bhagavatamrtam

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव) refers to:—One’s worshipable Deity. (cf. Glossary page from Śrī Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta).

context information

Vaishnava (वैष्णव, vaiṣṇava) or vaishnavism (vaiṣṇavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Within Hinduism, an Ishta-deva (iṣṭa-deva(tā). lit "cherished divinity") is a term denoting a worshipper's favourite deity. The compound is composed of the words iṣṭa "desired, liked, cherished" and devatā "godhead, divinity, tutelary deity" or deva "deity".

Languages of India and abroad

Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

iṣṭadēvatā (इष्टदेवता).—f (S) iṣṭadaivata n (S) A tutelar deity or patron-saint.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

iṣṭadēvatā (इष्टदेवता).—f daivata n A tutelar deity.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव).—a favourite god, one's tutelary deity.

Derivable forms: iṣṭadevaḥ (इष्टदेवः).

Iṣṭadeva is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms iṣṭa and deva (देव). See also (synonyms): iṣṭadevatā.

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Iṣṭadevatā (इष्टदेवता).—a favourite god, one's tutelary deity.

Iṣṭadevatā is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms iṣṭa and devatā (देवता). See also (synonyms): iṣṭadeva.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव).—m.

(-vaḥ) A tutelary deity, one particularly worshipped. E. iṣṭa and deva a deity.

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Iṣṭadevatā (इष्टदेवता).—f.

(-tā) A person’s chosen or tutelary. 2. divinity. E. iṣṭa and devatā divinity.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव):—[=iṣṭa-deva] [from iṣṭa > iṣ] m. ([cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]) a chosen tutelary deity, favourite god, one particularly worshipped (cf. abhīṣṭa-devatā).

2) Iṣṭadevatā (इष्टदेवता):—[=iṣṭa-devatā] [from iṣṭa > iṣ] f. a chosen tutelary deity, favourite god, one particularly worshipped (cf. abhīṣṭa-devatā). cf. [Religious Thought and Life in India xiv; 370 ]etc.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Iṣṭadeva (इष्टदेव):—[iṣṭa-deva] (vaḥ-vatā) 1. m. f. A tutelary deity, a chosen god.

[Sanskrit to German]

Ishtadevata in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 28 books and stories containing Ishtadevata, Ishta-deva, Ishta-devata, Ishta-devata, Ishtadeva, Iṣṭa-deva, Ista-deva, Iṣṭa-devatā, Ista-devata, Iṣṭadeva, Istadeva, Iṣṭadēvatā, Iṣṭadevatā, Istadevata; (plurals include: Ishtadevatas, devas, devatas, Ishtadevas, devatās, Iṣṭadevas, Istadevas, Iṣṭadēvatās, Iṣṭadevatās, Istadevatas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Saint Thyagaraja's Pancha Ratna Kritis < [October - December 1972]

Kalidasa and Nature < [January-February 1935]

Kalidasa and Nature < [July – Sept. & Oct. – Dec. 1992]

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Verse 2.1.92 < [Chapter 1 - Vairāgya (renunciation)]

Verse 1.2.98 < [Chapter 2 - Divya (the celestial plane)]

Verse 2.4.269 < [Chapter 4 - Vaikuṇṭha (the spiritual world)]

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Verse 25 < [Section 4]

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