--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As to the so-called Hindu idolatry…" description: "\"As to the so-called Hindu idolatry - first go and learn the forms they are going through, and where it is that the worshippers are really worshipping, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b33/swami-vivekananda-53_body_as-to-the-so-called-hindu-idolatry-first_829559.jpg" --- # As to the so-called Hindu idolatry - first go and learn… ![“As to the so-called Hindu idolatry - first go and learn the forms they are going through, and where it is that the worshippers are really worshipping, whether in the temple, in the image, or in the temple of their own bodies. First know for certain what they are doing - which more than ninety per…” quote by Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b33/swami-vivekananda-53_body_as-to-the-so-called-hindu-idolatry-first_829559.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b33/swami-vivekananda-53_body_as-to-the-so-called-hindu-idolatry-first_829559.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b33/swami-vivekananda-53_body_as-to-the-so-called-hindu-idolatry-first_829559.jpg) > “As to the so-called Hindu idolatry - first go and learn the forms they are going through, and where it is that the worshippers are really worshipping, whether in the temple, in the image, or in the temple of their own bodies. First know for certain what they are doing - which more than ninety per cent of the revilers are thoroughly ignorant of - and then it will explain itself in the light of the Vedantic philosophy.” [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding Hindu worship requires studying its forms and underlying philosophy, not superficial judgments. **In simple terms:** Learn the true meaning behind rituals. Key Takeaway Study practices before judging them. Themes religion philosophy interpretation culture tolerance Mood contemplative inquisitive Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - temple visits - academic study of Hinduism - interfaith dialogue Key Concepts Vedanta iconography spiritual practice Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you hold about unfamiliar rituals? - How can Vedanta clarify worship practices? A Different Perspective Superficial critiques miss deeper meanings. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Called Hindu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/called-hindu-546276/) [Cents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cents/) [Certain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/certain/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Hindu Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hindu-idolatry-546274/) [Hinduism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinduism/) [Idol worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idol-worship/) [Idolatry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry/) [Idolatry Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idolatry-learn-546275/) [Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Ninety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ninety/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Temples](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temples/) [Worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worship/) [Worshippers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worshippers/) [Worshippers Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worshippers-really-546277/) ## Related quotes > [The test of having ceased to be an idolater is: "When you say 'I', does the body come into your thought or not? If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-test-of-having-ceased-to-be-an-idolater-is-when-you-say-i-does/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [We all are Indians, and that should be our only religion. What is the need to be called a Hindu, Muslim, or Christian? Does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nana-patekar/we-all-are-indians-and-that-should-be-our-only-religion-what-is-the/) [Nana Patekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nana-patekar/) > [Now my children also don't have a particular religion as I also didn't have. The only difference is that now they have Muslim and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pooja-bedi/now-my-children-also-don-t-have-a-particular-religion-as-i-also-didn/) [Pooja Bedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pooja-bedi/) > [Worship of society and popular opinion is idolatry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/worship-of-society-and-popular-opinion-is-idolatry/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Despite the many iniquities that have found entrance into the practices of image-worship as it is in vogue now, I do not condemn it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/despite-the-many-iniquities-that-have-found-entrance-into-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Many of us do not believe in any form of idolatry; but they have no right to object when others do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/many-of-us-do-not-believe-in-any-form-of-idolatry-but-they-have-no/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The world has not gone one step beyond idolatry yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-world-has-not-gone-one-step-beyond-idolatry-yet/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [We are all born idolaters, and idolatry is good, because it is in the nature of man. Who can get beyond it? Only the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-are-all-born-idolaters-and-idolatry-is-good-because-it-is-in-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Those reformers who preach against image-worship, or what they denounce as idolatry - to them I say "Brothers, if you are fit to worship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/those-reformers-who-preach-against-image-worship-or-what-they/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The idol is the expression of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-idol-is-the-expression-of-religion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [One thing I must tell you. Idolatry in India does not mean anything horrible. It is not the mother of harlots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/one-thing-i-must-tell-you-idolatry-in-india-does-not-mean-anything/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [We may worship a picture as God, but not God as the picture. God in the picture is right, but the picture as God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/we-may-worship-a-picture-as-god-but-not-god-as-the-picture-god-in-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The secret of image - worship is that you are trying to develop your vision of Divinity in one thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-secret-of-image-worship-is-that-you-are-trying-to-develop-your/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [This external worship of images has, however, been described in all our Shastras as the lowest of all the low forms of worship. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/this-external-worship-of-images-has-however-been-described-in-all-our/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Some may be helped by images, some may not. Some require an image outside, others one inside the brain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/some-may-be-helped-by-images-some-may-not-some-require-an-image/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## More by Swami Vivekananda > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The Hindus have a peculiar slovenliness in business matters, not being sufficiently methodical and strict in keeping accounts etc.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-hindus-have-a-peculiar-slovenliness-in-business-matters-not-being/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Renunciation is in our blood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/renunciation-is-in-our-blood/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Where can we go to find God if we cannot see Him in our own hearts and in every living being.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/where-can-we-go-to-find-god-if-we-cannot-see-him-in-our-own-hearts/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [It is the free alone which never changes, and the unchangeable alone which is free; for change is produced by something exterior to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-free-alone-which-never-changes-and-the-unchangeable-alone/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Above all, India is the land of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/above-all-india-is-the-land-of-religion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The awakening of the soul to its bondage and its effort to stand up and assert itself - this is called life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-awakening-of-the-soul-to-its-bondage-and-its-effort-to-stand-up/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [It is the Prana that is manifesting as motion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/it-is-the-prana-that-is-manifesting-as-motion/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Though an atom is invisible, unthinkable, yet in it are the whole power and potency of the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/though-an-atom-is-invisible-unthinkable-yet-in-it-are-the-whole-power/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Nothing can be produced without a cause, and the effect is but the cause reproduced.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/nothing-can-be-produced-without-a-cause-and-the-effect-is-but-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [All the strength and succour you want is within yourselves. 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Your mind, my mind, all these little minds, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/there-is-a-continuity-of-mind-as-the-yogis-call-it-the-mind-is/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) [Explore all 1,889 Swami Vivekananda quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## More Body quotes > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. 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I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [Practically all animals which move fast in a homogeneous medium have found means of giving their body a streamlined shape, thereby reducing friction to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/practically-all-animals-which-move-fast-in-a-homogeneous-medium-have/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [If the media is sending girls the message that their value lies in their bodies, this can only leave them feeling disempowered and distract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-siebel-newsom/if-the-media-is-sending-girls-the-message-that-their-value-lies-in/) [Jennifer Siebel Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-siebel-newsom/) > [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/) [Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Racism is a cancer. 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