Idol worship (murti puja) in Hinduism is a sophisticated practice of focusing consciousness through sacred symbols. The Bhagavad Gita 12.5 acknowledges that worship of the formless absolute is difficult for embodied beings.
Murtis serve as focal points for meditation and devotion, similar to how photographs help us remember loved ones. They are consecrated through specific rituals (prana pratishtha) and are considered 'living' embodiments of divine energy. Modern psychology recognizes the value of tangible symbols in focusing mental energy and achieving deeper states of consciousness.
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