Dharma Jagruti Foundation and Global Hindu Heritage Foundation are conducting the Ramayana Leadership Workshop for our youth in Frisco, Texas, over three days, July 17-19. About 34 youth are enrolled in the workshop.
Murti worship has existed for centuries. It offers a tangible way for devotees to focus their attention and connect with the divine. Based on teachings from various scriptures and ancient texts, this practice reflects Hinduism’s core belief in the omnipresence of God. Rather than being mere objects, Murtis serve as powerful conduits for self-realization and divine communion. In fact, Murti, Vigraha, or Pratima represent a form or manifestation of a Deity.
Hindus believe in one Supreme Power (Brahman) and believe in the manifestation of the multiplicity of gods and goddesses. According to our scriptures, the number would run into the millions, with 330 million gods and goddesses. In fact, these manifestations can be infinite. The proper analogy is the Sun and the infinite number of rays. It is difficult to experience the sun, and difficult to look at the sun directly.  But we can experience its rays. For all these infinite rays, there is only one source: the Sun. Similarly, all these multiplicities of the Gods and Goddesses of Hinduism represent the many aspects of Brahman. Additionally, we must remember that although we cannot see the Sun directly with our eyes, we are aware of its existence. However, we can see the Sun by holding a mirror and observing the image of the Sun reflected in it. What we see in the mirror is only an image of the Sun, not the Sun itself. Similarly, thousands of gods and goddesses that we worship in temples and at home are pictures of that one supreme power.
Swamy Vivekananda and the King of Alwar
Then I gave an example of Swami Vivekananda meeting the King of Alwar, who thought image or Vigrah worship was a superstition. (I have summarized the following incident for the students.)
Once Vivekananda arrived at the palace of the King of Alwar, who was an ardent follower of English culture.  The King said to him, " I think Hinduism's so-called 'Vigraha-Aradhana' is a baseless superstition. Making an idol from wood or stone and then kneeling in front of it and praying! I can't agree with this nonsense. "
There was a picture of the king hanging on the wall. As requested by Swamiji, the king’s minister fetched that picture.
Swamiji asked the Minister, " Whose Picture is this? "This is our Maharaja's picture", replied the Minister. "If so, I ask you to spit on it".
The Minister and others near him were astonished to hear this audacious demand from Swami Vivekananda to spit on the Maharaja's picture, and that too right in front of the King.
Vivekananda ordered again to the Minister, "Do as you were told. Anyone can spit on this Picture ".
The Minister and other citizens stood there, trembling with fear. Finally, somehow the minister gathered a little courage and said, “This is our beloved Maharaja's Picture. I will not spit on it. Not only that, even asking me to spit is a punishable offense.
Swamiji answered with a smile, " This Picture is nothing but a mere piece of paper. It has nothing to do with the King who is standing right here in front of you. This Picture does not move or speak like him. Still, you think that spitting on this Picture is insulting the King! "
Turning towards the King, Swami Vivekananda spoke:
"On one level, this Picture is not you. But on another level, it reminds you. It helps to evoke memories in the viewer's mind. So, the same respect they have for you is also given to this picture. This is the reason they are prevented from spitting on it. This is also the logic behind * Vigraha-Aradhana*.
None has ever heard of any single Hindu standing in front of the Vigraha and saying, "Oh Stone/Wood! I worship you." Every Hindu worships the same God. It is not possible to limit the *Parabrahman* within the individual mind to worship. Even to think about any particular idea, we need to have a specific meaning, such as its name or shape. Only with that could we think about the idea.

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