The iṣṭa-devatā is the form of the divine, such as Kṛṣṇa, Śiva or the Goddess, that a devotee chooses or receives from a teacher as the centre of devotion. The idea expresses the Hindu conviction that the one God may be approached through many forms, according to temperament.
Iṣṭa-devatā
The chosen deity: the form of God that a devotee takes as the focus of worship.
Also: Ishta devata, chosen deity