Arya Samaj

Shishya

Is Idol Worship Compatible with the Vedic Religion?

Those who condone the worship of idols generally resort to one of the following arguments to support their views. We shall first examine each one in detail, and then proceed to show why these arguments must fail in the light of truth.

Argument 1. It cannot be denied that idol worship has a long tradition among those who profess belief in the Holy Vedas. One need only look towards India, for example, to see a variety of cults which indulge in this practice, and it is certainly no recent invention. In fact, one could say that one of the defining characteristics of ‘Hinduism’ is its myriad of idols, all of which are seen as representative of one or more of the multitude of Gods and Goddesses. This situation has subsisted for generations, and it is an integral part of tradition. Now, tradition is certainly something to be honored and preserved. Therefore, one would appear justified in continuing the time-honored practice of idol worship.
Argument 2. Further, it is said that God is all-pervading. If this is the case, then God is to be found in the idol also. And if God is in the idol, then the worship rendered unto it cannot be entirely in vain. Therefore, one would appear justified in the practice of worshipping God in the form of an idol.
Argument 3. Further, it is said that the idol is a tool used to focus the mind on God. No one bowing or praying before an idol - other than perhaps a child or an uneducated fool - actually worships the stone or metal of which the idol is made, but instead uses the material object to direct his or her consciousness towards God in an attitude of service and gratitude. And if idol worship is an aid to this end, then surely one would do wrong in forbidding it. Therefore, one would appear justified in the practice of idol worship for the purpose of directing the mind towards God.

Against this, however, Swami Dayanand proclaims: “Idol worship is fraud.” (Satyarth Prakash 370). Further, the Yajur Veda, regarding the nature of God, says: “The Great Ruler of the Universe, Who is Self-existent, All-pervading, Holy, Eternal and Formless, has been eternally instructing His subjects - immortal souls - in all kinds of knowledge for their good through the Veda.” (Yajur Veda 50:8 ) If God is Formless, then worshipping Him with form cannot be in harmony with the truth, and is, indeed, fraud of the worst kind.

Response 1: Though idol worship indeed has a long tradition within ‘Hinduism’, it is by no means an integral part of the Vedic Religion (Vaidika Dharma). In fact, nowhere in any of the Vedas can a passage be found which supports or even suggests worshipping God in the form of an idol. On the contrary, the Vedas declare that God is Formless, Timeless, Uncreated, Unborn, Invisible, etc. According to Maharishi Swami Dayanand Saraswati, idol worship was unknown in India until the advent of the Jain cult (ca. 600 B.C.E.; see also Satyarth Prakash 370-371). It is therefore completely foreign to Vaidika Dharma.

Further, the fact that something is a long-standing tradition does not in itself justify its continuation. For a wrong action can become a habitual custom just as easily as a right action can. Reliance upon tradition is no excuse from the duty to seek out Truth in each generation, i.e. to discard what is false and take up what is true. The practice of idol worship enjoys no exemption in this.

Further, it is evident that Vaidika Dharma is immeasurably older than the traditions of ‘Hinduism’. If one should regret breaking with a tradition of ‘Hinduism’, should one not positively lament the discontinuation of it’s true originator, the Vedic Religion? Surely, if one values those components of tradition which are in harmony with Truth, then one should feel no trepidation at the removal of those components with are at variance with the same. Therefore, one is not only justified, but rather invited to rid himself of all that is contrary to the Truth which is embodied in the Vedic Religion, idol worship being a prime example thereof.
Response 2: Indeed, God is all-pervading. Yet, in the practice of idol worship, acts of devotion are directed to the idol only. Thus, the practice is not in agreement with the reason used to support it. For if the idol worshipper claims to worship the all-pervasive God, how can he be justified in selecting one object only towards which to direct his acts of devotion? Such a worshipper would have to render equal service to every object in this world - every stone, every drop of water, every blade of grass - for God pervades them all equally.

Further, if one desires to worship the all-pervading God, then why should one remain satisfied with the worship of objects? For an object is that which is pervaded, not the Pervader Himself, God. If one desires to worship the all-pervading God, he must look beyond that which is pervaded, i.e., towards God and no other.

Further, service rendered unto an idol in no way affects God. Indeed, He has no need of any act of worship which can be rendered unto a material object - neither bathing, nor anointing, nor clothing, nor fanning, nor feeding, nor prostrating, nor anything else of the sort. Therefore, no worship offered unto an idol reaches God as intended, and is a pointless act.
Response 3: It is evident that an idol is not required in order to focus the mind upon God and that this stands in need of no proof, for even those who support idol worship readily admit the same. As to it’s being a help towards this end, however, objection must be made. For the very nature of God - that towards which the mind is to be directed - is such that it is impossible to correctly render in any material object. For example: God is Formless. How, we ask, can an idol be made to correctly represent this to the viewer? Or again: God is Unlimited. Does not the very notion of ‘Unlimited’ defy all material representation? Verily, the purpose of focusing the mind upon God is to contemplate His true nature. Yet, the true nature of God defies any and all representation by it’s very conception. Therefore, idol worship cannot help one focus the mind on God.

Further, if the idol be used solely to focus the mind upon God, then rendering worship unto the idol in the way of prayer, obeisance, etc., remains entirely unjustified.

Further, the mere existence of idols leads all too easily to grave errors regarding the proper conception of God. For portraying God as possessing form and limitation cannot but give a false impression regarding His true nature. Therefore, as it is not conducive to the formation of a proper conception of God’s nature, and often contributes to a misunderstanding of the same, idol worship in any form is to be condemned.

In Summary: Idol worship is incompatible with the Vedic Religion, and it's practice represents a grave fracture of the principles thereof. Since the dawn of time, the Rishis have proclaimed that God is without form or limitation. Though this Truth has been clouded by generations of sectarianism and ignorance, we must actively strive to practice Vaidika Dharma in it's original form, unadulterated by consessions to 'tradition' and 'custom', which would have us worship idols instead of God.