6e: Deities

Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is able to descend before our eyes in a Deity incarnation of wood, stone, metal, or paint, formed according to authorized descriptions of the Lord. Because with our presently materially contaminated senses we cannot see the original spiritual form of the Personality of Godhead, He appears before us, out of His infinite mercy, in the visible form of the Deity, called the arca incarnation. The arca form of the Lord is never to be taken as a material object or idol. The example given is by Srila Prabhupada that just as mail deposited in an authorized mailbox on the street is accepted by the post office as equal to mail deposited the central post office, so worship of God by worship of any authorized arca form, such as Lord Jagannatha, the Radha-Krsna Deity, or a Panca-tattva painting of Lord Caitanya, is accepted by the Lord as being as good as personal service to Him. For one who desires to serve the Lord, the Lord provides all facilities. He gives His instructions, the Scriptures, He sends His representative, the bona fide spiritual master, and He comes Himself in the arca form. The Deities are cared for in a very careful and opulent manner. They are bowed to, bathed, dressed, fed, offered flowers and incense, and especially They are honored by the aratrika ceremony.