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It is precisely this kind of misinformation that Hinduism
needs to safeguard against. This strikes at the very heart
of temple worship; if the form of the mUrti is not important,
why take the trouble to install the image in a temple? Why
give any special sanctity to the ancient images we have in
our holy shrines? Why lend any validity to our saints'
rapturous descriptions of the physical beauty of the Lord's
temple mUrti?
Frankly, you have been lied to. The unique characteristics
of each mUrti are very relevant. Some mUrtis we believe to
be the very descent into material substance of God Himself,
on His own volition; others have been consecrated by humans,
usually according to strict guidelines in the manuals of
temple worship (Agamas).
Our saints delight in the unique forms the Lord takes in
the temple. Time and time again they have said, "You stand in
Tirupati and lovingly grace me with that beautiful form of
yours", or "You recline beautifully in Sri Rangam where the
fishes swim with abandon." Each manifestation of the Lord
is a particular way of experiencing His divine beauty on
earthly terms.
There is no place in our ancient manuals of worship where
these particularized manifestations of the Lord are declared
irrelevant, or declared to be means of concentration. In
other words, the image is not a "channel to God" -- the image
is God Himself, in His most gracious and worshippable form.
Mani
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