Lectures on Ishta Devata

Every human being takes birth due to their karma from the previous births. After death, the body, mind and the soul separate, and body gets merged into the pancha tatva while mind and the soul follow the path of the ayanas, toward the planes deserved by accomplished karma. So the cycle goes on, and it will never stop unless one is given a moksha. Many people have wrong concept of moksha, mistaking the term for spirituality, which can be defined in so many ways. I am not going to discuss moksha right here, but will just add that it is often conceived as final emancipation of the soul. There are different types of moksha, and different paths to it. In jyotisha there are a few planets which play an important role, among which Atmakaraka (the planet in the highest degree, excluding rahu whose counting is done in reverse) and Ishta Devata are the most important.

Atmakaraka carries the sins of the past birth and is akin to a inner light which prevents the outer light due to its papa or sin. Atmakaraka is like a Sun whose rays are so dazzling that we fail to see the light which is behind, the light of God. Ishta Devata represents the God in his numerous forms. Therefore, due to the interaction and experience of the world (through mana and indriya), atma falls into 8 types of bondage or bandana. In this phase, Atman is captured with the Sin and becomes Atma.  Therefore, position of Atmakaraka in the chart indicates a place where we will suffer due to Ashta Bandana, and where we beleive that our Light is Stronger than the light of God. Therefore, it is almost impossible to state that any position in the chart of atmakaraka is good for moksha, due to its bandana, because that is the place where we BEHAVE like a God. So if atmakaraka is in 10th house, a person behaves like a God in that area and thus suffers. Position of Atmakarak is therefore dependent on any factor, but even the concept that its position in trines automatically gives spirituality is not correct. The spirituality given is more on the level of dharma (not moksha) and normally, if Ak is in 5th house a person may misues the authority, while in 9th house a person will behave like a God or Guru. Such positions are often reflections of their own ahamkar (ego), unless Ishtadevata and other factors intervenes. If bhavesha, Karaka, and Ishta Devata is not favourable, a person suffering will often turn into a hatred towards the world and anarchy. SO be carefull, think twice and deeply in case of analyzing Atmakaraka influence. People are often misguided by position of AK in navamsa lagna thinking it will automatically give them spirituality. Then why would Parashara and Jaimini state that in 2nd house it will lead towards moksha? If you wish to understand Atmakaraka, please meditate on your Ishta Devata with open heart and dedication.

Since the soul comes and leaves with dharma, Navamsa chart becomes crucial in understanding spirituality. 12th house indicates the exit from this world, so 12th house from Atmakaraka will show the “mask” God is wearing in the form of Ishta Devata. Ishta Devata can only come from Vishnu Rupa which is confirmed by Vishnu Gayatri in Rig Veda. Vishnu is Sarva Vyapakeshvara Devata and thus he is present everywhere in everyform, yet never represented by any form. Normally, Graha in 12th from Atmakaraka navamsa known as Karakamsa will indicate Ishta Devata. If there are no planets take the lord. This form of Vishnu will take and lure your soul towards final emancipation. There are other opinions on deciding Ishta Devata which I will leave for now on.

Now, the main task is to analyze this rupa of God, and this graha in the chart. There is a difference whether this planet is malefic, benefic male or female etc. Classical jyotish text known as Chandra Kala Nadi calls this place Jivanmuktamsa, or the place where Jiva attains liberation. Since there are four types of moksha among which one is Jivan mukti, this has a specific meaning in a higher spiritual teachings. Ishta devata planet will behave as a God hand also in a more mundane levels, where we can see its favourable or unfavourable infleunce in certain areas of life. So, whether a person will go towards moksha or not is judged from this planet. Therefore it is very important to understand position of Ishta Devata in all 12 houses of the chart.

To be continued….