In the 'Additional Resources' section it is mentioned that 'Panchopasana' is idolatry. I find this a bit amusing since these 5 deities include Lord Vishnu. Moreover, the other 4 also have references in the scriptures. So, why is panchopasana called idolatry?
Panchopasana is sometimes called idolatry by people who do not agree with the practice of worshipping through images or statues. Panchopasana means worship of the five main forms of God: Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti, Surya, and Ganesha.
Some people call it idolatry because they believe that praying to statues or images means worshipping a physical object instead of God. They may also think that worshipping different forms of God goes against the idea of one supreme God.
However, people who follow Panchopasana do not believe they are worshipping just a statue or object. They believe that the images are ways to focus their mind and connect with the divine. The different deities are seen as different forms or expressions of the same ultimate reality.
Therefore, whether Panchopasana is called idolatry depends on the beliefs of the person judging it. Followers of the tradition see it as a way of worshipping and understanding one divine reality through different forms.
Some people call it idolatry because they believe that praying to statues or images means worshipping a physical object instead of God. They may also think that worshipping different forms of God goes against the idea of one supreme God.
However, people who follow Panchopasana do not believe they are worshipping just a statue or object. They believe that the images are ways to focus their mind and connect with the divine. The different deities are seen as different forms or expressions of the same ultimate reality.
Therefore, whether Panchopasana is called idolatry depends on the beliefs of the person judging it. Followers of the tradition see it as a way of worshipping and understanding one divine reality through different forms.
As a child and teen, I was a practicing Roman Catholic. And in the city where I spent those years was a Beautiful Basilica filled with statues of saints and martyrs important in the catholic faith. Many of these saints were prayed to by believers based on their special attributes... And I prayed with great belief and reverance to these images that I never, ever saw as stone.
At a very young age, after reading about certain saints, I believed their images to be blessed by God in His mercy to help me focus my prayers. I never saw this as idolatry. Hare Krishna
At a very young age, after reading about certain saints, I believed their images to be blessed by God in His mercy to help me focus my prayers. I never saw this as idolatry. Hare Krishna
In ISKCON and Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy, Pancopasana refers to the traditional smarta system of worshipping five deities (pancha = five, upasana = worship) promoted historically by Śankarācarya.
The five deities in this system are:
Visnu
Siva
Durga
Ganesa
Surya (The Sun God)
Srila Prabhupāda explains in his purports (such as CC Adi 5.226) that Pancopasana is designed primarily by impersonalists. In this system:
The worshiper accepts five symbolic forms of the Absolute Truth to purify the mind.
The Underlying Assumption: Impersonalists believe the ultimate reality (Brahman) is formless, and that these five forms are temporary, material manifestations used as stepping stones. Once one achieves "liberation," all five forms—including Lord Viṣṇu—are discarded.
"Mayavādis admit that worship of the Lord's form is required in the beginning, but they think that in the end everything is impersonal. Therefore, since they are ultimately against worship of the Lord's form, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu has described them as offenders."
The five deities in this system are:
Visnu
Siva
Durga
Ganesa
Surya (The Sun God)
Srila Prabhupāda explains in his purports (such as CC Adi 5.226) that Pancopasana is designed primarily by impersonalists. In this system:
The worshiper accepts five symbolic forms of the Absolute Truth to purify the mind.
The Underlying Assumption: Impersonalists believe the ultimate reality (Brahman) is formless, and that these five forms are temporary, material manifestations used as stepping stones. Once one achieves "liberation," all five forms—including Lord Viṣṇu—are discarded.
"Mayavādis admit that worship of the Lord's form is required in the beginning, but they think that in the end everything is impersonal. Therefore, since they are ultimately against worship of the Lord's form, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu has described them as offenders."