hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté
Let say one knows the name of their iṣṭa-devatā, what then? How do you come to personally know (not just by name) Him or Her ?
We can look to patañjali’s yogadarśana, chapter 2 (sādhana pada), 44th sūtra, as it says the following:
svādhyāyāt iṣṭadevatā saṁprayogaḥ ( some like to write it like this svādhyāyādiṣṭadevatāsaṁprayogaḥ )
What does this say?
Note too that svadhaya means to propitiate (to make favorably inclined; appease; conciliate)
- iṣṭadevatā = iṣṭa+devatā
iṣṭa = agreeable, beloved, reverenced , respected
devatā or devátā = divinity, Supreme ( the ambassator of the Formless that takes form)
- saṁprayogaḥ = saṁ+pra+yogaḥ
saṁ = is rooted in yuj ' to join together'
pra = fullment
yogaḥ = yoga = union or the act of yoking , joining , attaching , harnessing
My translation (any blemishes belong to me).
Through one's own mediation, the fulfillment of joining together with one's most beloved and respected divinity ( is accompished - inferred by 'pra' )
Meditation here does not mean the act of daily thinking and pondering but that approach that reveals samādhi
What others say ( not different, just an extention of the subject)
svāmī lakṣman-jū (kaśmir śaivism POV)
The fruit that accures from continuiiouly striving for Self-knowledge,
by constant study of the scriptures, that the Lord whom you seek
(iṣṭadevatā) will shine before you.
yogāchārya svāmi hariharānanda āraṇa (founder of the Kāpila Monastery)
From study and repetition of the mantras, communication with the desired deity is established.
BKS Iyengar
Self-study leads towards the realization of God or communion with one's desired deity.
Śakti Das (a.k.a. sahaj yogi)
Through self study (swadhyaya) knowledge of our true self is disclosed completing
the yoga that reveals our true sacred nature (innate divinity or ishta devata which resides inside all beings).
praṇām
words
The 4 sections or chapters (pada's) of patañjali’s yogadarśana ( yoga sūtra-s) - samādhi pada , sādhana pada , vibhūti pada , kevala pada
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