The meaning of the word Ishta Devatha Nishta is -
Ishta - one's own liking;
Devatha -- Godhead
Nishta -- deeply involved practice.
So this 'deeply involved devotion towards one's Choice of Godhead' is never allowed to become, in any way, fanaticism.
Because, even from the Vedic times, the Universal Idea has been firmly implanted in the Hindu's mind.
'There is but one Truth; Sages have been calling it by different names'
'The water falls from the Sky and flows through many ways to the self-same Sea; likewise the devotions towards many Gods ultimately reach the self-same Kesava'
The same thought is given in a sloka of Siva Mahimna stotra.
So the General and Universal aspect of Hinduism always worked in tandem with the individual worships of Chosen Gods.
This two layered structure was organic rather than artificial.
It was not an outwardly agreed upon arrangement but something which was evolved through the internal exercise of coupling the vast spiritual freedom with inevitable human limitations.
The human nature was at no time ignored.
The transcendence of abstractions was at no time lost sight of.
The whole field of Religion was a veritable education for the Hindus.
Any human being can start anywhere and go by his own path unhampered by any sort of sojourners' pressure.
You unto your path
Me unto mine
And for us there is
Always the Divine.
Srirangam V Mohanarangan
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