Why Do People Worship "Idols"?

It is a common question: if God is divine and beyond the material world, why do people worship statues made of stone, metal, or wood? The answer lies in understanding that these forms are not merely "idols," but tools to help the human mind connect with the Divine form of God.

The Meaning of a "Moorti"

The word often translated as "idol" is actually Moorti (Devanagari: मूर्ती; ISO 15919: mūrtī). In Sanskrit, this means a likeness that represents the very essence of an entity. Just as a sugar figurine is made of sugar through and through, a moorti of God represents a form that is entirely divine. Vedic scriptures state that God's body is not separate from His soul; He is a personification of knowledge, existence, and bliss.

How Can God Be Cast into Material Matter?

From a purely worldly perspective, a statue is just a rock carved by a person. It cannot hear or see on its own. Still, worshiping a moorti is effective for two reasons:

• God is Everywhere: Because God is omnipresent, He exists inside the stone, wood, or paint just as He exists everywhere else.
• God Knows Your Heart: Unlike a human being, God is omniscient (all-knowing). He understands your feelings and intentions. If you treat a statue with the firm faith that it is God (or that God is present within it), He accepts that love and rewards you accordingly.

The Purpose of the Form

The human mind is naturally drawn to things it can see and touch. It is very difficult to focus on a "formless" God. A moorti or a picture serves as a visual anchor.

• Mental Practice: The physical form helps you create a mental image.
• Developing Love: By "animating" this form in your mind—imagining serving Him, talking to Him, or offering Him food—you begin to cleanse your heart and grow your love for God.
• The Result of Faith: History shows that when faith is "unflinching," God can actually manifest through that form to reciprocate with the devotee.

In short, while the object might be material, All-knowing God gives you the fruit of your connection with divine God. If you see only stone, you get the benefit of stone; but if you see God, you attain the bliss of God.

Further Reading and References

• Related Concepts:
  • Is Worship of Idols Right?
  • Roopadhyan