Acharya Prashant explains that there is no single answer to the role of an image; the intention must be right. He states that the image was given as an "image buster." Because the mind is already full of nonsensical and harmful images, a pristine image was provided as a solution. This method was used because humans are suckers for images, thoughts, stories, and myths, and would not accept anything else. We are obstinate beings, so the well-wishers, left with no choice, provided a special image to rid us of the miscellaneous images in the mind. Ideally, this special image should dissolve after serving its purpose. However, in practice, this purpose is never fully served because the mind's tendency to imagine remains. Therefore, one needs protection against this tendency, and the pure image, such as that of Christ or Shri Krishna, becomes the solution again. If one finds that letting go of the image makes them vulnerable to their old mental afflictions, it is better to stay with the image. This is a tricky situation, a tightrope walk. The best approach is to depend on the image as little as possible, but not to deprive oneself of it if it is needed. Being with the image is a problem, but it is a far lesser problem than being with the demonic images the world puts in the mind. Between the image of Jesus and the world's images, the choice is obvious. However, the speaker adds that one should, if possible, try to go to the Father, where there is no image. Jesus is the image of the Father, the Son. Jesus said, "You cannot go to the Father but through me," not "stop at me." It is wonderful to stay with Jesus, but even more fascinating to go to the Father, where there is no image. The speaker warns against distorting the sacred image. Man has not merely taken the images from scriptures but has amplified them, created myths, and superimposed his own content. This happens in our own minds when we create customized images of Krishna or Christ based on our fantasies, which is the ego exploiting even the divine image. The best is to stick to the formless Truth. If that is not possible, one must be very respectful to the image given by the scriptures, without laying dirty hands on it, disfiguring it, or giving it a convenient spin. What we call decorating is often a distortion. One must be cautious about whether they are listening to the teacher or superimposing their own intentions upon them.
