Why should we not ridicule idol worship? Bhagawan lovingly reminds us the purpose behind it today.
Each person worships a particular form according to their likes. Some people worship Rama because they are attracted by Rama’s Name and Form. 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). Anoraniyan Mahato Mahiyan (Brahman is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the vastest). This Consciousness is present in the smallest to the biggest. From your point of view, an object may appear to be inert, but from the Vedic point of view, everything is Chaitanya. It is foolish to overlook the existence of Chaitanya. One may question: if Chaitanya is all-pervasive, why is it not visible to the naked eye? You are all well aware of the fact that there is butter in every drop of milk. Can you deny its existence merely because it is not visible to the naked eye? The process of obtaining butter involves curdling the milk and then churning it.
– Divine Discourse, Mar 12, 2002.
