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Spiritual Practices
Murti
Murti is a medium of sentimental communication where devotee harbors a belief that God is omnipresent and perpetual.
Murti is a medium for devotees to express their aspirations, love, devotion, and serving divinely.
Shriji Maharaj and his muktas never physically depart but remain eternally present. This signifies the profound principle elucidated by Jivanpran Bapashri that,
"Ghanshyam Maharaj manifested as human form in Samvat 1837 at Chappaiya, where he performed numerous divine acts. Similarly, his cessation to mortal eyes was also a divine act. Furthermore, the luminous divine form residing in his abode is the Murti of Akshardham. The Murti, or pratima form, to which we daily offer our devotion, worship, and reverence. Across all three forms, there is not a slight difference.”
And thus, we offer them prostration, darshan, worship, arti, and offerings. When satpurush instills or sacred the idol through his divinity, it becomes divine. Whether it is of stone or images, large or small, it’s not true that the God resides in the Murti, but the Murti is only the God. Thus, with our love and devotion, the Murti of Maharaj accepts our service, hears our prayers, and fulfills our aspirations.”
Just as a child may mistake a hundred rupee note for a piece of paper, it is still a currency. Similarly, for an atheist, a murti may be a photo, but for us, the Murti is the God himself.
One morning, Sadguru Nirgundas Brahmachari was performing service at the Bhuj Mandir. As he adorned Maharaj with royal attire and princely clothes, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his stomach. Despite the discomfort, the time for arti had arrived, and many tasks were still left to complete. With a heart full of devotion, Brahmacahri gently whispered to Maharaj, “O compassionate, when your servant is in distress, can’t you wear clothes yourself?” Maharaj then personally adorned himself with a cloth, tied an anklet on his ankle, and placed a turban on his head. And so, all the royal adornments were gracefully adorned by him. It wasn’t just once, but every time such a situation arose, Maharaj would lovingly accept the service of his devotee. Indeed, Maharaj is always present and available as the form of the Murti.
Look, this is about the omnipresence of Murti. If it is not ever, then how is it possible?
When Guru Dronacharya refused to teach archery to Eklavya, Eklavya sculpted a statue of Guru Dronacharya in the forest. He imbued it with such intense reverence and dedication that Guru Dronacharya taught me the art of archery from Murti. Later, Eklavya became even grander in archery than Arjuna. The main reason behind this was the presence of Guru in Murti and one’s mind.
Similarly, the Murti of divine Satpurushes are also an ever-present form. One should offer reverence, worship, and prayers with such affection.
Therefore, whether it is mandir, serving in the home shrine, performing personal worship, or participating in arti and thal, one should have an intent that I am serving the murtis of both Maharaj and his Mukta with devotion and reverence.
