dressed (Vastra). Then comes the investiture with the sacred thread (Yajnopavita). Then sandal
paste (Chandana) is offered. Then comes offering of flowers (Pushpa). They are the symbols of the
heart-flowers of devotion, love and reverence. Then incense is burnt (Dhupa). Then a lamp is lit and
waved before the Deity (Dipa). Then food is offered (Naivedya). Then betel is offered (Tambula).
Then camphor is burnt (Nirajana). Then Svarnapushpa (gift of gold) is offered. In the end, the Deity
is bidden farewell to (Visarjana). In these external forms of worship, the inner love finds
expression. The wandering mind is fixed now in this form of worship. The aspirant gradually feels
the nearness of the Lord. He attains purity of heart and slowly annihilates his egoism.
To the worshipper who believes the symbol, any kind of image is the body of the Lord under
the form of stone, clay, brass, picture, Saligrama, etc. Such worship can never be idolatry. All
matter is a manifestation of God. God is present in everything which exists. Everything is an object
of worship, for all is a manifestation of God who is therein worshipped. The very act of worship
implies that the object of worship is superior and conscious. This way of looking at things must be
attained by the devotee. The untutored mind must be trained to view things in the above manner.