where one should imagine the Ista devata

Dear PVR garu,
Namaste.
Can you also please clarify on where one should imagine the Ista devata during meditation ?
Some people say that it is at the heart but some others say it should be in between the eye brows.
Regards,
Ramakrishna

From: Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr@charter.net>
Date: Fri, May 9, 2008 at 7:53 AM

Namaste Himanshu Mohan ji,

Kavacha means "protective shield". If one recites a specific kavacha regularly, a protective shield of energy that is capable of preventing certain energy influences is formed around the subtle body of the person.

Namaste Ramakrishna garu,

Both are fine. Anahata chakra in the heart area is the centre of vaayu tattva in one's body. Vaayu (wind) is expansive in nature and fills anything it has access to. It can be restricted to a balloon or fill even a room. Once there is an opening, it gets into the area and fills it. The process of creation is also like that. It is expansive by nature and fills every part of Brahman it has access to.

On the other hand, ajna chakra is beyond the five elements (mooladhara-visuddhi show five elements). It is the source of all elements.

Thus, both chakras are suitable for imagining ishta devata. If you are primarily a dwaita siddhanta follower (clear duality), one may suggest imagining the ishta devata at anahata chakra. All the elements and duality continue to exist and the ishta devata is seen as the master of all creation. If you are primarily a visishtadwaita (special non-duality) or awaita (non-duality) follower, one may suggest imagining ishta devata at ajna chakra. All the elements and duality are withdrawn and ishta devata is the only thing that exists in the universe. There is nothing else.

Bottomline is that both are acceptable, but one is conducive to a dwaitic experience and one is conducive to a visishtadwaitic experience. You pick one based on your samskaras and vasanas.

Best regards,
Narasimha