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Idol Clarrification – 1982johnnyb@gmail.com

Chinmaya International Foundation > Idol Clarrification – 1982johnnyb@gmail.com
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    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623862
      Arvind1 Kannan
      Participant

      Hari Om Giovanni ji,

      Please let us know which course in HSC you are registered and the question relates to which lesson.

    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623863
      Arvind1 Kannan
      Participant

      Hari Om Giovaani ji,

      An idol is a representation of the ultimate Truth. So in that sense an idol can be worshipped as a representation of the Truth.

      However the sastras have specified rules for the same. For example Saligrama (a kind of stone) can be worshipped as Lord Visnu, but not any stone. Also the idol gets the necessary power only after a process of Prana-pratista.

      Hope that answers the first two questions.

      The answer to your 3rd question is yes, burning incense etc is a part of the process to create an atmosphere of devotion to the Divine.

    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623864
      Giovanni
      Member

      1982johnnyb@gmail.com

      So, is your answer : yes the ATMAN can be an idol worshiped or no, pick something else ?

      My idea is to have a Sanskrit written that says “ATMAN” to represent the ATMAN and burn incense before it to represent my love of the ATMAN

      “ But the Atman itself is to be loved above all else. The Atman is forever blissful. For it, there can never be any suffering.” -Shankara

      The question is in relation to the instructions given in your document to pick an idol….

      “ It is, therefore, necessary to choose your own idol, or a picture of the Lord you cherish, and put it in your place of worship. It may be in your study, prayer room, or a quiet dedicated corner in your home. If you do not have an idol, or picture, the sign of ‘’ (Om)1 may be framed and used as your symbol of Truth. This picture should be fixed on the wall, at eye level, while you sit for prayer in front of it.”

      Please clarify .
      Thank you
      Namaste

    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623865
      Arvind1 Kannan
      Participant

      If the mind is able to focus and sit quite by writing ATMAN and meditating on it, one can definitely do it. But for most people they would require some support as an idol or a symbol of Truth and Om is a symbol of the Truth as the sastra says so. When one selects an idol which is close to one’s heart (as prescribed by sastra) the mind can easily glide into the Self. The idol or symbol is a support to quiten the mind and glide into the Divine.

      Hope that clarifies.

    • April 11, 2024 at 7:23 pm #623866
      Giovanni
      Member

      1982johnnyb@gmail.com
      Thank you . That clarifies it.

      ATMAN is as close to my heart as possible. Just thinking of ATMAN makes me warm and feels accepting and loving .

      If will be no problem at all to focus on ATMAN hung on the wall.

      thank you

      Best regards,

      Namaste

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