Idols and Noah Ship

People have asked me why Hindus worship Idols? Is it not a stone?or metal? Frankly these questions only made me to look for answers which I had never thought even though I had prayed in temples.

Finally reading on Kaanchi Mahaswamigal in www.kamakoti.org and looking also in Swami Vivekananda's teaching I got the answers and more...explanations which I am sharing as below.

Idols are only the initial steps to reach god. Idols with their form for our eyes gives a definite form which helps our mind to concentrate when we meditate or these images reminds us the Godly qualities, just like a photo does.

If Idols are kept as initial steps, the final goal is to reach God in everyone and every being, everywhere irrespective of any religion or country or language or to see no differences at all.But just ONE BEING, what Hindus call as 'Brahman' or 'Aathman'....There is lot of explanation on this in 'Talks' with Ramana Maharshi.

Another example I try to say, is just as a small girl fancies a plastic 'doll' as if its her own baby, the Hindus look upon Idol as a God in their exercises to reach GOD in everyone everywhere.


Alright having mentioned, my understanding on this, I do have my own questions, Why is those societies who have abandoned this worship(enough proof is there to say everywhere Idol worship in one way or form once happened), now still give importance to different 'statues' of their own God or saints or even their political leaders...?
Its really funny, because after saying no statues to GOD, but accepting statues of people is now seen in many countries, even countries who refuse to accept any religion...They go out and garland with flowers and give other decorations...The same philosophy which Hindus have been having for God is now in principle accepted by people who have either rejected any God or what people will call as Hindu Gods.

While writing on the idols, it also reminds me on ancient links on 'Noah ship'..Read again in தெய்வத்தின் குரல் www.kamakkoti.org that how this Noah meaning to say a boatman in Sanskrit who helps to reach other side of Samskara ocean as Hindus call it...We are all in Samskara ocean and the boatman(a boat of wisdom as mentioned in Bhagavad Gita and wise man or or guru or God) helps to sail across the ocean...It also continues to say Navy,Naval,Navigator comes from all the same root and in Tamil நாவியம் means boat...as well...All roots from Sanskrit....

While writing the other thought comes is what many hundred years ago in Europe, how they sent (and set fire) their dead bodies in boat...I guess the idea of this is what comes when we say worSHIP or friendSHIP or championSHIP and all other ships...guess some thoughts to share?