Explanation of Idol Worship in Hindu Religion
Hindu Use of Religious Symbolism and Icons is Mistaken Idolatry
Jun 21, 2009
Images of God are not necessarily idols. Hindus do not actually worship the statues, icons, or symbols themselves, but rather use the images as a point of focus for devotion.
"Just as the flag arouses martial valour in the soldier, so also the image [of God] arouses devotion in the devotee. The Lord is superimposed on the image and the image generates divine thoughts in the worshiper." (The Philosophy and Significance of Idol Worship by Swami Sivananda, Divine Life Society Publication, 1960)
Idolatry, Symbolism, or Focused Devotion?
A religious symbol such as a cross or an icon can help the mind focus on devotion to God. The symbol gives the mind something concrete upon which to focus, concentrate, and pray.
Devotion to a formless, all-encompassing concept of the Divine, or of God, is a difficult task. The symbol is used to help focus the mind.
Swami Sivananda explains that images help to focus the mind of the devotee and serve to remind us of God: “The material image calls up the mental idea. Steadiness of mind is obtained by image worship. The worshipper will have to associate the ideas of infinity, omnipotence, omniscience, purity, perfection, freedom, holiness, truth, omnipresence. It is not possible for all to fix the mind on the Absolute or the Infinite.” (p. 14) He insists that most devotees need a concrete form to focus the mind and aid in concentration.
Types of Idols Used in Different Religions
Christians display the cross in many churches, hang pictures of Jesus and images of Jesus on the cross in churches and homes. The cross is simply an image upon which to focus the mind, and also serves as a reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for mankind's salvation.
Catholics often hang pictures of saints to whom prayers are offered, and Orthodox Greeks carry and display holy icons during mass.
Many Muslims hold an image of the Kaaba stone while doing prayers on their knees, facing Mecca.
Hindus have multiple images to represent different aspects of the One God. Images of Shiva, Ganesha, Hanuman, Krishna, and Kali are all prevalent in Hinduism. The image of each Hindu God is rich in symbolism to represent divine qualities.
Why Do People Worship Idols Instead of God?
People do not worship idols; they use the idols and images as a channel to focus the mind upon worshipping God. Worshippers realize that the image is not God, that God is not contained within the image.
To illustrate this point, Swami Sivananda uses an excellent analogy of a radio channeling music. He explains that the music is not confined within the radio, "a mere piece of a mechanical lifeless structure," but serves as a channel to bring the music to our ears. God is not confined within the idol or image (a mere statue of plastic), but can serve as a concrete link to the devotee.
Focus on a divine image is only one step in several stages of devotion, according to Swami Sivananda. The devotee will begin to feel the presence of God everywhere when his/her entire life is the act of worship. “Though you may perform external worship at regular intervals, let the internal worship of the Lord in your heart be constant, unbroken. Here worship attains completeness. Life is a divine worship.” (pages 31-33)
Worship of God is a very personal matter, a very intimate act of devotion and love. Hindus are similar to devotees of other world religions. Meditation, prayer, mantras, and concentration on holy images of divine aspects of God are all paths to draw closer to God and unite with the Divine.
Source
The Philosophy and Significance of Idol Worship by Swami Sivananda (Divine Life Society Publication, 1960)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
