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THE SECRET OF IMAGE WORSHIP
A devotee worships, adores, and venerates the object of his worship. If the object of worship is a living individual the devotee worships his body to express adoration, devotion, and reverence. This devotion and veneration is not only for the body but also for those virtues of the soul residing within the body that made the individual the revered object of worship. No one becomes revered or an object of worship for the beauty or other qualities of his body; he becomes that due to his unique virtues. Therefore, primarily the virtues of a person are to be venerated and worshiped but as this virtuous soul is installed in a body, that body also becomes the object of veneration and worship. Even when that individual is alive it is only the virtues that are worshiped. A devotee worships virtues and the virtuous individual with a wish and hope that, inspired by those virtues, he may evoke those virtues within his self and one-day become an ideal person just like that object of worship. In the name of worship of an individual this is worship of virtues, worship of ideals. Worship of ideals has prevailed at all places, in all races, and at all times, and as long as man has ambition for human ideals and values such worship will continue. An individual becomes an object of worship for masses only through his lofty virtues.
But when such revered individual leaves his earthly body after leaving indelible imprints of his virtues, his devotees employ various means to keep his memories intact. His biographies are written and published, and his portraits are made. Making of a three-dimensional image or idol in metal, stone, or gemstone is the most powerful and effective medium to keep his memories intact. This is because an idol provides the semblance of the shape, form and posture of the venerable individual. A book can provide the life story and qualities of a person but cannot become an effective medium, means, or instrument of worship. Painting, wooden image and other such things are perishable and get deformed soon; moreover it is hard to have profound belief in them. But the stone and metal images are long lasting, not easily deformed and have the form and posture that inspire the devotee to focus on the personage and meditate, think and contemplate about his virtues. The making and worship of idols became popular for these reasons only. Idol is the installation of the exact conceived image of the venerated person.
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