We must keep our eyes open to see the glowing light. We must keep our manas ‘open’ to ‘see’ the indwelling God. However, do we know where the manas is and what it means to keep it open? We don’t.
Like how one needs glasses to correct the vision of diseased eyes, we need vigraha to help us with knowledge of manas and the indwelling God.
What makes a ‘lifeless stone’ capable of giving us the knowledge of indwelling God?
A mirror does not have life but it is the only way one can see their own face. Vigraha is the only way one can ‘see’ God indwelling the manas. A mirror does not show a crying face when one is smiling. A vigraha does not show anything different than what is in the manas. A stone is polished and then coated with a metal to make it a mirror.
Similarly, a selected stone goes through samskaras, qualifying steps, like cutting and carving to bring a shape, being given a name, followed by sanctification through the process called mantra pu:tha. It is then called a vigraha, deity.
How does vigraha show one the indwelling God?
God has two forms, visible and invisible w.r.t physical perception. He exists as vigraha in the visible form. He pervades the entire creation in an invisible form. It requires immense belief driven by pure devotion to perceive the all-pervasive form. The same God also exists in everyone’s manas.
The vigraha form of God allows one to reflect, perceive and connect with the same God who indwells in our manas. It does so by cleaning the seeker of the clogged karma.
Part One
Part Two
Vigraha does not move. Is it capable of cleaning me?
Does a mirror move? No! If it moves, it cannot be used to properly show your face to you. It cannot help you check how you look as you are dressing up. It needs to be stable to do its job.
Similarly, the vigraha stays at a place to help us clear the dirt of deficiencies blocking us from real knowledge. It helps us adorn our manas with the most valuable jewel called love for God. The ‘jewel’ enables us to walk the right path beneficial to ourselves and the surroundings.
– From the discourse of HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji
– Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple
Thirumalayapalem, Warangal Dist, Telangana
A 3000 house village came together and collected funds to complete construction of the temple so they can all be guided by the gracious and compassionate 400 year old presiding deity, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami. Swamiji advised 10 families a day for each day of an year to take responsibility of serving Lord in the temple beginning from suprabhatha seva to sayanothsava seva. Everyone was thrilled and ready to serve their guiding light!
Minister Erraballi Dayakar rao ji, Ammi Reddy ji, Sarpanch P Sujatha ji and many others supported the great initiative of the villagers. HH Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji was invited to inaugurate the newly constructed temple, provide guidance and bless them with the right knowledge of God and service.
