The Concept of Deity Worship

Our bodies, our names, and pictures of ourselves are related to us, but they’re not us. We’re spiritual, they’re material. Krishna exists in a different way—He is absolute, pure spirit. All features of His existence (name, form, activities, etc.) are the same as Krishna Himself.

Deities (archa vigraha in Sanskrit) are physical forms of the Supreme Person, made of stone, metal, wood, paint, or other materials. God is not wood or stone, but we can’t see spirit. Krishna appears as His name, or as stone or as wood—so we can better see, hear, and serve Him.

Deities (or paintings) of Krishna are based on descriptions of Krishna in the Vedas, which also explain in detail the authorized process for worshipping Them. Idolatry, on the other hand, is usually defined as worship of any cult image, idea, or object, as opposed to the worship of a monotheistic God.

God is omnipotent. All energies, material and spiritual, are completely under His control—He can turn matter into spirit and vice versa. So, if He wants to appear in a form (apparently) made of wood or stone, who can stop Him?