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Who is your Ishta Devata (Favourite form of God to worship)?
- Thread starter SeRe
- Start date
I don't have one. The concept of ishta more or less makes the assumption that they're all the same, which is a Smarta concept, the largely unsuccessful attempt to amalgamate Hinduism under one line of thinking. The idea does exist somewhat in Vaishnavism, where a particular form of Vishnu, like Rama, or Krishna, or Venkateshwara (Vishnu himself) is favored.
In Saivism, it could be a choice between Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Sivalingam, Bhairava, all forms of Siva, but that's a stretch from the original concept, as it excludes so many.
I don't worship a favorite God. I worship God, period, and my name for God is Shiva.
In Saivism, it could be a choice between Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Sivalingam, Bhairava, all forms of Siva, but that's a stretch from the original concept, as it excludes so many.
I don't worship a favorite God. I worship God, period, and my name for God is Shiva.
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Last night was my first visit to the local temple in a long time, as they only opened it back up last Friday. You'd like that temple, as it was built as a Saiva temple. You only get Ganesha, Murugan, Siva, Bhairava, and the only separate Parvati (Rajarajeshwari) is in the Vasantha Mandapam. Last night was a Krittika night, sacred for Murugan. Don't get me going about Murugan, lol.
Vishnu, primarily in His Krishna incarnation.
Shiva is my preference. Also saraswati.
While I don't worship, I find myself most inspired by Shiva.
Perhaps a residual connection from a previous incarnation...
Perhaps a residual connection from a previous incarnation...
The Crimson Universe
Active Member
Nirguna Nirakara Brahman 
ParaShiva is another name for Nirguna Brahman. The Lingam represents formlessness. The Lingam at Chidambaram is made of ether.
The Crimson Universe
Active Member
Nirguna Brahman is no deity.
I know. That's why i've posted the grin smiley.
Nirguna Brahman is simply Spirit or Consciousness, and not a devata 
Ashoka
श्री कृष्णा शरणं मम
That's awesome. Jai Murugan <3
I don't think you know the hidden humour in your comment, or do you? Jai Ganesha!
Ashoka
श्री कृष्णा शरणं मम
Things often go over my head. Just ask my coworkers, lol.
Nataraja appears to be the main image in Chidambaram. The article I read mentions a small crystal lingam there. Is this the lingam you're referring to?
I've wanted to purchase a Shiva Lingam for quite some time, but I haven't for a couple of reasons:
- I've searched primarily on Amazon and in small local shops near me and can't find one that I like.
- Adding one to my shrine will throw off the symmetry. Nataraja is the centerpiece of my shrine, and if I added a Shiva Lingam, that and Nataraja would have to set on each end.
At Chidambaram (I've been there) to Nataraja's left there is what appears to be 'nothing' but is where the ether lingam is installed. It is one of the 5 elemental temples, earth, water, air, fire, and ether ... I forget all of them, but Tiruvanmalai (Arunaleswara temple) is fire, and Sri Kajalasthi I think is earth.
5 elements are also contain in Na Ma Si Va Ya each syllable being one element. On my shrine the lingam is directly in front of and below Nataraja. It's a shared centerpiece, but only Siva. That's the case at the monastery temple, Kadavul. as well. The new temple, Iraivan, is lingam only. Nandi is often also out front with his right eye aligned with Nataraja's right eye.
I think the crystal you're referring to at Chidambaram is likely the red solid ruby Nataraja only brought out for special occasions.
Is this the shrine to which you are referring?
Unfortunately, unless I select another platform, the depth of my shrine doesn't allow for placing a Lingam in the center with Nataraja. On mine, an carved wooden ॐ rests below and in front of Nataraja (the censer is between them).
Yeah, I know my shrine is simplistic and lacks the pizzaz of most Hindu shrines, but that's the way I like it.
Is this the shrine to which you are referring?
Unfortunately, unless I select another platform, the depth of my shrine doesn't allow for placing a Lingam in the center with Nataraja. On mine, an carved wooden ॐ rests below and in front of Nataraja (the censer is between them).
View attachment 51403
Yeah, I know my shrine is simplistic and lacks the pizzaz of most Hindu shrines, but that's the way I like it.
The picture might be it, but I'm not sure. It's hard to remember specifics about temples when you're so blissed out when you're there. Where did you get that pic from? (There are no real pictures of that shrines as far as I know, as photography is forbidden there.)Is this the shrine to which you are referring?
Unfortunately, unless I select another platform, the depth of my shrine doesn't allow for placing a Lingam in the center with Nataraja. On mine, an carved wooden ॐ rests below and in front of Nataraja (the censer is between them).
View attachment 51403
Yeah, I know my shrine is simplistic and lacks the pizzaz of most Hindu shrines, but that's the way I like it.
I like your shrine. It really resembles my first shrine. My lingam sits where your Sanskrit Aum is.