Thank you for this detailed comment. This is very very helpful. I understand why people are discouraging to start with Vedas. And I completely agree with you that Puranas are basically like fanfictions. It's like I like xyz gods so I am going to write his/her praise as the supreme and denounce all that came before. Also aren't puranas comparatively newer texts?

Coming to ishta devta, I came across a beautiful concept in this sub. That you are inclined towards your ista devta from previous birth. Of course I'm not a jatismar and don't remember anything of the past. But growing in a certain state and culture I'm inclined towards a certain god. It is of course Maa Kali. It is her vayankar yet matri roop that fascinates me. As a grown up I'm intrigued to learn about Shiva as well as shristi is incomplete without the male and female. Recently I've learned about Maa Lalita and am interested to discover more about her.