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**geraint.faughn** · 11-14-2007, 06:05 PM

Before starting a Puja we pray to the following Devatas among others.

1. Ganesha

2. Siva

3. Vishnu

4. Matha and Pitha

5. Ishta Devata (Chosen Deity)

6. Kula Devata (Family Deity)

7. Grama Devata (village deity)

8. Vasthu Devata (household Deity)

9. Sthana Devata (established Deity)

Of course the number and name will depend on the tradition (sampradhaya).

Now with our worshipping so many Deities the question arises as to whom do we approach for salvation?

Before we go into this we should recall how Hinduism deals with the worship of so many Deities. The basic principle of Hinduism is the acceptance of all paths as leading to God. Hinduism has grown by absorbing the hundreds of forms of worship prevalent in India. You will find the term "Sanskirtising" used (not in a good sense) on many sites. This is a process by which Hinduism absorbed the different faiths into mainstream Hinduism. Hinduism does not believe in prosyletising but in absorption.

Though many believe that Hinduism is polytheistic it is not exactly true. It is Henotheism to use the proper term.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism

So any Deity Siva, Vishnu, Amman, Mariamman, Isakki, Raja Karuppannaswamy or others can lead you to salvation. God is omniscient and omnipotent.

When you are reciting

Vishnu Sahasaranama - Vishnu is GOD.

Lalita Sahasranama - Lalita is GOD.

Siva Mahimna Stotra - Siva is GOD.

Ganapathy Atharvaseersham - Ganapathy is GOD

Skandha Sashti kavacham - Skandha is GOD.

The term Ishta Deavata plays a very important role in Bhakti. We worship many Deities. But almost all of us have a favorite deity. We hear people say "sambo Mahadeva" "Krishna Hridhaya kamalavasa", "Muruga Shanmuga" etc. Invariably when you are in danger you appeal to your favorite deity. The same deity will lead to you Mukti.

More about Ishta Devata later.

11-14-2007, 06:05 PM	#28
geraint.faughn Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 443 Senior Member	Before starting a Puja we pray to the following Devatas among others. 1. Ganesha 2. Siva 3. Vishnu 4. Matha and Pitha 5. Ishta Devata (Chosen Deity) 6. Kula Devata (Family Deity) 7. Grama Devata (village deity) 8. Vasthu Devata (household Deity) 9. Sthana Devata (established Deity) Of course the number and name will depend on the tradition (sampradhaya). Now with our worshipping so many Deities the question arises as to whom do we approach for salvation? Before we go into this we should recall how Hinduism deals with the worship of so many Deities. The basic principle of Hinduism is the acceptance of all paths as leading to God. Hinduism has grown by absorbing the hundreds of forms of worship prevalent in India. You will find the term "Sanskirtising" used (not in a good sense) on many sites. This is a process by which Hinduism absorbed the different faiths into mainstream Hinduism. Hinduism does not believe in prosyletising but in absorption. Though many believe that Hinduism is polytheistic it is not exactly true. It is Henotheism to use the proper term. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henotheism So any Deity Siva, Vishnu, Amman, Mariamman, Isakki, Raja Karuppannaswamy or others can lead you to salvation. God is omniscient and omnipotent. When you are reciting Vishnu Sahasaranama - Vishnu is GOD. Lalita Sahasranama - Lalita is GOD. Siva Mahimna Stotra - Siva is GOD. Ganapathy Atharvaseersham - Ganapathy is GOD Skandha Sashti kavacham - Skandha is GOD. The term Ishta Deavata plays a very important role in Bhakti. We worship many Deities. But almost all of us have a favorite deity. We hear people say "sambo Mahadeva" "Krishna Hridhaya kamalavasa", "Muruga Shanmuga" etc. Invariably when you are in danger you appeal to your favorite deity. The same deity will lead to you Mukti. More about Ishta Devata later.
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