The idol gets magnetised. The idol in its turn attracts the worshippers. The rituals performed enhance the power of attraction of the idol. The idol surcharged by the magnetic power is able to energise the worshippers. Divine energy is in every one. All of us are endowed with electromagnetic energy, atomic power, heat and other forms of energy. The magnetic energy is the most powerful in man. From this magnetic energy comes electrical energy. When these two come together the divine power operates. The divine power is within everyone. It does not come from without. Many people consider that it is foolish to worship inanimate and inconsequential Figure as God. What about the national Flag? Do we not revere it and Salute to it. Is the flag animate? How has it become an object of Veneration – because it is a symbol of our freedom obtained after years of struggle and sacrifice. It stands as a symbol of our country. Similarly idols are symbols of Divinity. Do not swallow without discrimination the criticism hurled against us that we are uncultured barbarians worshipping-stones and pictures. Idol Worship is not a sign of barbarism. It is significant and meaningful. He who is pervading all over is invoked and visualised in the idol.’ (NGM, p. 115)
Our ancients enquired into the nature of divinity through many paths, but were not successful in recognising the reality. Hence, they started worshipping Prakriti (Nature). Thereafter, the Bharatiyas took to Murti Aradhana (idol-worship). Every creature that takes birth in this universe has a form (Murti). Idols are inert in nature and do not possess the qualities of compassion, love, forbearance, etc. It is for this reason that some people are against idol worship. This is ignorance. You use your forefinger to point a specific object, say, a flower or a tumbler. Similarly, idols are like pointers to Divinity. Once you recognise divinity, you don’t need the pointers, say, idols. Such being the case, is it not foolish to object to idol worship? Are you not worshipping the pictures of your parents and grandparents? Do these pictures have life in them? No. Nor do they have qualities of compassion, love, sacrifice, etc.Then what is the point in worshipping them? It is through these pictures that we are reminded of their virtues and ideals they stood for. Take for instance a hundred rupee note with dimensions of 6 inches x 4 inches. There is neither life nor love, compassion, etc., in the currency note. Yet people love it and would like to possess it. Is there any body in the world who dislike money? Irrespective of the country or religion, everyone loves money. There are innumerable instances wherein people gave up their lives for the sake of money. Money is valuable because it bears the government’s seal. Similarly, we respect the national flag for the value it stands for, though it is a piece of cloth, which is inert. If idol worship is considered foolish, then the same should apply to love for money and respect for flag, which are also lifeless. Man’s beliefs are based on likes and dislikes.
It is the finger that points to a flower. Likewise, idols point to divinity. So, idol worship cannot be considered foolish. Never disregard idols because they are inert. Even in inert objects, there is Chaitanya (consciousness). Anor aniyan mahato mahiyan (Brahman is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the vastest). This Chaitanya is present in the smallest to the biggest. From your point of view, an object may appear to inert, but from the Vedic point of view, everything is Chaitanya. It is foolish to overlook the existence of Chaitanya. (DD on 12.03.2002, pp. 2-3)