An Integral Part of the Cosmos

For a beginner, the idol is an absolute necessity. By worshipping the idol, the Lord is
pleased. The idol is made up of the five elements. The five elements constitute the body of the Lord.
The idol remains an idol, but the worship goes to the Lord.
If you shake hands with a man, he is highly pleased. You have touched only a small part of
his body and yet he is happy. He smiles and welcomes you. Even so, the Lord is highly pleased
when a small portion of His cosmic body is worshipped. An idol is a part of the body of the Lord.
The whole world is His body. The devotion goes to the Lord.
The worshipper superimposes on the image the Lord and all His attributes. He does the
sixteen forms of reverence to the Lord. First, the Presence of the Deity is invoked. Then a seat is
offered, the feet are washed, water is offered, and then hospitality is offered. The idol is bathed,
dressed and invested with the sacred thread. Sandal paste is applied to its forehead, flowers are
offered, and incense is burnt. Then a lamp is lit and waved before the Deity. Food is now offered,
together with the burning of camphor. A gift of gold is offered. Finally (the sixteenth step), the
Deity is bidden farewell.
In these external forms of worship, the inner love finds expression. The wandering mind is
fixed now in this form of worship. The aspirant gradually feels the nearness of the Lord. He attains
purity of heart and slowly annihilates his egoism.
To the worshipper who has faith in the symbol, any kind of image is the body of the Lord, be
it made of stone, clay, or brass, or be it a picture, drawing, etc. Such worship can never be idolatry.
All matter is a manifestation of God. God is present in everything. Everything is an object of
worship, for all is a manifestation of God who is therein worshipped. The very act of worship
implies that the object of worship is superior and conscious. This way of looking at things must be
attained by the devotee. The untutored mind must be trained to view things in the above manner.