What is a murti? Murthy is an image of the Deity in the form of a
statue. Usually murtis or statues of Deities are associated with
Hinduism and Buddhism, but in fact they were used and using in almost
all religions and beliefs. For example, everyone knows the stone heads
of Easter Island and the crucifixion of Jesus in Christianity. In fact,
even a сhristian Сross can also be called a murti - it's a symbol
associated with God.
Why do we need a murti? The human mind
is so arranged that it is usually easier for us to pray to God when he
has a form. Well, it's true, it's hard to imagine God who does not have
any form. Therefore, the Hindus gave God various forms, and Christians
pray to God in the form of his Son. Why do the Deities have such forms?
The exact answer to this can only be given by the Deities themselves :).
In any case, the ancient sages saw them in these forms and we can only
accept that.
But the murti has one more side - the esthetic side.
It's nice when the manifestation of God has a beautiful form. At least,
we would really like this :).
Therefore, the murtis must be
beautiful, esthetic. I would like them to match our understanding of how
the physical manifestation of God should look. It is for this reason
that we try to bring only beautiful murti handmade. Now most of the
murtis are stamped in India, not caring about how the Deities look. Even
in Nepal, which has always been famous for quality murtis, now sold
everywhere only Indian "consumer Goods". Therefore, we constantly go to
India and Nepal in search of not just a murti, but works of art. And
when we can to buy a murti, which is dozens of years, we feel like real
lucky ones!
