In many of the Grama Devata temples, you would realize the deities are just “localized and simplified” versions of the Moola Devatas of Shiva, Vishnu, Devi and Shasta. The agamic traditions, have very specified rules and regulations on temple creation and maintenance as do sadhana paths of the various devatas.
Indian culture is laden with the basic principle of humility, i.e. service to others before the self. One learns to serve others first before getting himself satisfied (Atma-Bodha). This is what Vedic culture teaches the person initiated in the science of learning and gaining knowledge (Atma-jnana). Ishtadevta means the God You worship the most. Kuldevta means the God which is worshipped by your family from generations.
The word Kuladevata is derived from two words: Kula, meaning clan and Devata, meaning deity. Thus, it can be said that Kuladevatas are deities which are worshiped by particular clans. The concept of kuldevi and kuldevi comes from ancient times when sanatan dharma was not formed, and there are tribal villages spread across the indian subcontinent.
Kula-Deva is usually a deity which are chosen by the head of the family (for generations) and worshipped. Individuals may have their own chosen deity. Kuladevata and rastradevata are only due formal respect and honor, and the purpose of their worship is the feeling of Unity in the family and the kingdom. People would gather for these ceremonies and strengthen their sense of community and solidarity, a feeling of brotherhood and a bond that kept society healthy and thriving.
Parashakti in her divine grace, came down to them in a limited and specific form as a grama devata and kula devi and only needed her children to serve her as they would their own mother, and offer her a grand puja only once a year, and she would take care of all their needs. The needs of the villagers were simple, a good harvest, protection from nefarious beings, and the continuation of their bloodline through proper childbirths for their children when they get married etc.
When kuladevata and rastradevata puja was stopped due to the invasions and dominations of adharmic invaders, the emphasis moved from Embracing Unity to Concerns about blood Purity and Linges and the clan-caste system became prominent, with the disastrous results we can see today.
In the old system, if one member of a kula committed abominable acts, he was expelled from the family and gotra and could return only after the required purification. All these were handled by the Kula, Grama Devata version of the Moola Devatas. Obviously when Devi herself chose to come down in a limited and specified form, so did the other devatas like Shiva, Vishnu and Shasta.
The form the deity took is tied to the land, tradition and rituals of that period. Whether it's your kuldevi or Gramyadevi, they both are the same divine feminine dressed differently (that is the nature of the energy form may be different). In Vedic tradition, you won't find any mention if kuladevi or kuldevta in vedas, but later on these were incorporated in dainik padhhati.
With time kuladevi concept is interchanged with Ishtadev and Ishtadevta to bring vedic Gods as supreme heads. People started following vedic and later vedic period gods and forgot about kuldevi. Each tribal village was not a follower of vedic tradition and used to follow their own local deities. These traditions were mostly tantric in their worship and based on sacrificial rituals.
Throughout human history, the same archetypes beings have taken different forms for the differences in culture, time and need of the moment. Not only within the same tradition, (like differing Hindu practices throughout the land of Bharat) but outside of it as well. Later on with advent of Shankracharya movement, all these tribal communities were brought under same banner of sanatan dharma, and their deities were also incorporated in sanatan dharma.
Now these local deities became the kuldevi or kuldevta of a particular tribe. These tribal names become the Kula or gotra. With migration to different regions of india, these tribes also spread across India, and with inter-mingling of tribes gave rise to new communities. Still the kuladevi or kuldevta remains the same. Since in most villages, people of the same community tend to be related, everyone will have the same Kula Devata.
Kuladeva is always some or the other form of the five prime forces of the universe. The five prime forces of the universe are Durga (Shakti; The protector from evil forces), Ganapati (the giver), Shiva (Destroyer), Vishnu (Sustainer), Bramha or Sun god (Creator). You will always find Kuladeva as a subform of these five basic elements of the universe.
The most popular Kula Devata is Balaji or Murugan in South India. Nila Madhab and Sarva Mangala in Odisha. All the Kuladevis i.e. women form of home deities are the different forms of the Saptamatrikas. Sastha, Shiva and Shakti are also popular Kula devatas. In Maharashtra Kula Devatas are mainly manifestations of Shiva or Shakti. In Gujarat and Rajasthan Kula Devi is generally manifestation of Parvati (Shakti). Some families worship Nag (King Cobra) as their Kula Devata.
There is another saying that praying to Vana Durga also helps us to find out kuladeva/kuladevi. Without Kula Deva’s blessing (and Ancestors Tarpanm) nothing can be done, even our Istha Deva and Guru also sometimes cannot help us.
Learn from the tradition of your ancestors that what are rituals must do whenever you visit the temple of the Kuladevata. Even if you are abroad your Home deity temple visitation is a must. What you should do is whenever you wake up in the early morning you should remember your home deity and should start your day.
Krishna in Bhagavata Gita (9.26) says about the same; If one offers to Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or even water, I delightfully partake of that article offered with love by My devotee in pure Consciousness.
Tutelary / Family Deities Concept and Origin
Prior to sending the souls to earth, Lord Brahma requested Parabrahman to split the divines into various categories to manifest and remain invisible in the spaces earmarked for them even before human souls reached there. He himself (Lord Brahma) would also ensure that some of the humans turn into divine over long period of time.
The divines would appear gradually as folks gained knowledge and belief to accept the divines. In short, Lord Brahma’s creations included the following category of divines to guide and guard the humans on earth. Prime divines who directly appeared from Parabrahman; First line of divines manifested from the Prime divines, some of whom turned into Tutelary deities or Ishta Devathas.
Second line of divines released either by Prime divines or by the first line of divines all of whom became Tutelary and Family deities at later stage.
Third line of divines who were cursed deva ganas from Parabrahman Loga, take birth in human race, penance on land and turn into Village deities, Guardian deities etc. They assist the first and second line of divines for certain period of time. Some in them become Tutelary and family deities much later.
Fourth line of divines who were sinned or cursed in deva Loga, take birth as humans or animals, penance on land and assisted the first, second and third line of divines for certain period of time before becoming angels, good spirits, or village border guardian deities.
Fifth line of divines were evil spirits and bad Ghosts. They would ultimately get destroyed by the divine forces in many ways to show to the folks the power of divine.
The First line of deities were divines who manifested from Prime divines in some form and settled in worship places or temples. They are shortly called mirror images of the Prime divines, but appear in different other form with dual role to play. They become tutelary and family deities (kuladeva/Kuladevi) in the places earmarked for the tutelary deities and enjoy enormous divine powers to bestow or grant favours to the prayers of those who worshipped them regularly and in sincerity.
They could enter any space on earth or air space, land or sea to protect the folks who pray to them in sincerity. Besides they also protect the sub divines working under them whenever their existence was threatened. In astrology, the sun is Karaka for the father and the moon is the mother.
Giving Argya (water) daily morning to the Sun God and Sun salutation will reach kula devata says Surya Upanishad. Praying moon at night with the lightning of lamp and Incense Sticks will reach to kuladevi.
The curse of a home deity can also be found in the astrological chart. Always go for your home deity first and It is like whenever you have a problem you will go for your parents first. If you ignore your Kuladevata and you might go for other gods but it will not work due to the blockage of the chakras. The grace of another deity will never work until and unless the chakras are unblocked. Only your home deity can remove the blockage of chakras.
Whenever the baby is born in the house then the very first removal of hair ceremony must be done near the temple premises of the home deity only. During marriage ceremony and other important celebration of family our culture instructed to worship Kuladevi and Ancestors. There are no written rules about how it can be treated but the best way to treat home deity is to treat it like your living ancestors.
Still, if you go to hilly regions like Himachal, Uttrakhand, or even North-east india, which was untouched by indian civilization for quite long time, and recently have been contacted ( recent with respect to historical time period of thousands of year), you will find more inclination towards kuladevi or kuldevta.
Puja room is a special room which is solely meant for the deities to whom the person has developed attachment to or his ishta devatas. It is natural culture for the people living in India to show respects by not sharing the room for the deity with anyone else. Keeping a separate room for the deities makes it sensible for them to be worshipped and tended nicely. One will definitely follow all the regulations meant to be followed when there is separate room. And they can have a private time with their lord and can open up their hearts in front of him.
The same Rishis who codified and taught them and walked the length and breadth of Bharat, also found that simple villagers required something else. It is said that when villagers in the ancient past, whose hard life of farming and agriculture left little time to go into the intricate depths of Agamas and Sadhana, beseeched the Holy Mother.
Kuladevata will save the family from unexpected destiny or fate, will give warnings through dreams or it will make sure that you will be always be protected. You always treat Kuladevata as the owner of your house. Whenever you take any major important decision you should ask home deity permission and you should inform them first.
Kuladevatha will always be protecting you like a mother by keeping you inside its protecting womb. Kuladevata also helps the person to evolve spiritually (through Bhakti yoga) in life to make sure the devotee reaches the goal (realization) he is supposed to reach. It also provides his devotee the necessary material comforts needed for life.
Worship of the kula-devata or kula-devi is considered to be of utmost importance. The Kula-devata is the guardian of the family, of the lineage. Ancestors of the family have worshipped the deity and there is a bond between the family and the deity. Hence such worship bears fruits early. Worship of the kuladevata is said to appease the deity who is the sole protector of the family. One who worships his/her family deity is said to be protected by the deity in times of calamity.
It is seen that even today the effect if kuladevi pooja near the original region of their origin is much more powerful than Ishtadev pooja. Hence, many local people still trace their roots (Ancient geographical location/ Kshetra name divided by different Deva) and go back to their native places to perform pooja of their kuldevi or kuldevta.
Some families have both male and female home deity. In that case, you have to perform “week” rituals to both. Find out the various home deities your ancestors had. The same thing applies for Kula Devata/ Grama devatas. Don’t extrapolate their style of worship into that of the Moola Devatas, the specific form and worship style was given for a reason, don’t mix and match under the guide of Bhakti.
If your forefathers have done any of the promises to Kuladeva but they were unable to fulfill the promise then you have to fulfill the promise accordingly. Let’s say if your forefathers asked home diety to perform some favor to them in return they would offer to build some part of a temple or to donate some money to your home diety. If they couldn’t fulfill the promise even after getting their favor done in such a case it will act as a curse to the entire family.
Now the present Kuladevata or Home deity is one God who has been protecting your home and your family starting from your ancestors. For generations after generations, Kuladevata has been granting wishes to your family and blessing your family. Our genes have been decoded with Kuladevata so this why we are born in certain families again and again.
Authored by Anadi Sahoo
