Your Questions
Q. There is a tradition of preparing idols of different deities with different metals and stones. For example, the Shiva Lingam is prepared from stone or quartz. Which material is ideal to make the idols of Lakshmi, Parvati etc.? With which metal should the Pooja articles be made?
A. There is no tradition which does not have scientific background. Gemmology, considered a recent branch of knowledge was well known to the ancient sages of India. The practice of using gems for their therapeutic value was in vogue in ancient Egypt also. The special method of routine worship called ‘Panchaayatana Pooja’ is in fact a procedure in which one can obtain astounding therapeutic results. In this Pooja, the following deities are worshipped.
a. Baana Shila, a special stone found in the river Narmada is worshipped as Shiva
b. Shona Shila, a special stone found in the river Shona is worshipped as Ganapati
c. Krishna Shila is worshipped as Mother Goddess
d. Salagrama Shila, found in Gandaki river is worshipped as Vishnu
e. Quartz crystal is worshipped as Soorya (Sun)
This signifies the relation and control that a particular deity has over those stones. Ratna Shastra, an ancient branch of knowledge of gems describes the different benefits one gets by preparing the deities with different materials. Even Shilpa Shastra (science of sculpture) also gives these details. Worshipping idols made of gold and silver bestow prosperity, while those made of copper bestow good health. Quartz idols fulfil desires. Idols made of coral - especially the idols of mother goddess - bestow power of attraction. By worshipping idols made of sapphire eradicates enemies (or enmity). Ideally, the idols of Shiva and Surya are prepared from Quartz crystal. The idols of Mother Goddess made from coral are more auspicious. To make the idol of Vishnu, Salagrama stone or gold is preferable.
It must however be remembered that all these virtues occupy only the second place. The first and foremost virtue in the act of worship is devotion. If the devotion is pure, even the idols made of clay can bestow the same results. On the other hand, if one goes on collecting idols made from costly and rare stones just to satisfy one’s ego, the Pooja will yield little result.
Ordinary house holders should worship idols which are of the size of one’s fist. However, larger idols can also be worshipped if they have been handed down through generations or blessed by a Siddha Purusha.
Q.There is a belief that a particular flower is dear to a particular deity. Do even gods have preferences and tastes?
A.Worshipping is essentially of three types. 1.Worshipping god as the Absolute Principle., 2. Worshipping god as an energy form ( it is said that the gods are the aspects of the Almighty Energy)and 3. The combination of the above two.
The first method is indeed very difficult. Those who follow this path do not attach much importance to the kind of flowers. Nor do they need to follow any rules of Pooja. They can use any flower or offer any fruit.
Because the other two methods involve worshipping the Almighty in the form of some energy, it becomes necessary to use such articles which are conducive to them. For example, Lord Ganapati should be worshipped with tender grass and red flowers. Here, when we say that particular articles are dear to particular gods, it only means that those articles help us as catalysts.
Any activity or interaction with energy will have its own set of rules and regulations. There can be no total independence. In a chemical laboratory, the person who is conducting tests and experiments will have to follow the rules and principles of chemistry. Similarly, Pooja also involves observing of certain rules.
However, no such rules apply to a worship in which there are no desires and in which the object of worship is the Absolute Principle.