You use your forefinger to point to a specific object, say, a flower or a tumbler. Similarly idols are like pointers to Divinity. Once you recognise Divinity, you don’t need the pointers. Such being the case, is it not foolish to object to idol worship?

Our ancients enquired into the nature of Divinity through many paths, but were not successful in recognising the reality. Hence, they started worshipping  Prakriti  (Nature). Thereafter, theBharatiyas took to murti aradhana (idol-worship). Every creature that takes birth in this universe has a form (murti). Idols are inert in nature and do not possess the qualities of compassion, love, forbearance, etc. It is for this reason that some people are against idol-worship. This is ignorance. Are you not worshipping the pictures of your parents and grandparents? Do these pictures have life in them? No. Nor do they have the qualities of compassion, love, sacrifice, etc. Then what is the point in worshipping them? It is through these pictures that we are reminded of the virtues and ideals they stood for. You use your forefinger to point to a specific object, say, a flower or a tumbler. Similarly idols are like pointers to Divinity. Once you recognise Divinity, you don’t need the pointers. Such being the case, is it not foolish to object to idol worship? 

Bagavan Sri Sri Sri Sathya Sai Baba