Ishtdev

Ishtdev (इष्टदेव | iṣṭadeva) is the form of God a devotee chooses to worship and meditate upon.

All descensions of God are equally Divine. However, they reveal different Divine powers according to the purpose of their descension.

When choosing an Ishtdev, the practical consideration is which Divine form is most attractive and lovable to the devotee. A form that naturally attracts the mind makes it easier to bring the mind repeatedly into loving remembrance of God.

Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj recommends choosing Shri Radha Krishna together as the object of devotion.

Also written as: Isht, Ishta, Ishtadev, Ishta Deva

Go Deeper

Which Form of God Should I Choose for Meditation?

If every Avatar is equally complete, what should guide a devotee in choosing a Divine form for meditation?

Kripalu Vedic WisdomJKP Literature

Why Choose Shri Krishna for Devotion?

Why does devotion turn particularly toward Shri Krishna if Shri Ram and Shri Krishna are one and equally Divine?

Kripalu Vedic WisdomJKP Literature

Radha and Krishn: One in Two Eternal Divine Forms

If Radha and Krishna appear in two Divine forms, what is Their true relationship, and how should the devotee meditate upon Them?

Kripalu Vedic WisdomJKP Literature

Sacred Compass: Navigating the Journey to Divine Union

The eternal holy scriptures describe three ways of emancipation-from- Maya or God realization. लक्षन्तुचतुरो वेदा लक्षमेकं तुभारतम्॥ lakṣantu caturo vedā lakṣamekaṃ tu bhāratam॥ Ved Vyas divided the Vedas into 4 books and all together they encompass 100,000 hymns [1]

Kripalu Vedic WisdomJKP Literature

Which Form of God Should I Choose for Meditation?

If every Avatar is equally complete, what should guide a devotee in choosing a Divine form for meditation?

Kripalu Vedic WisdomJKP Literature

Reference

Bhakti Shatak - Hundred Gems of Devotion - an in-depth analysis