Suppose Kṛṣṇa is here . . . just like we offer so respectful obeisances to the Deity. Similarly, as the Deity is arca-avatāra, incarnation . . . this Deity which you are worshiping as the arca-avatāra, arcā means worshipable incarnation. Because we cannot see Kṛṣṇa with our present eyes, material eyes, therefore it is Kṛṣṇa's mercy that He has appeared before us in a form which we can see. That is Kṛṣṇa's mercy. It is not that Kṛṣṇa is different from this Deity. That is mistake. Those who cannot understand what is Kṛṣṇa's potency, they think that this is idol, and therefore they say "Idol worship." It is not idol worship.
The same example, as I have given many times, that the postbox, or mailbox on the street, it is post office. If somebody thinks, "It is a box . . ." It is a box, but it is a post office at the same time. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa is everything. The bhūmir āpo analo vāyuḥ kham . . . (BG 7.4). Kṛṣṇa says that "My energy." As you cannot separate energy and the energetic, Kṛṣṇa is everything.
So Kṛṣṇa can accept your service through everything. Don't consider that, "This is metal." The metal is also Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we should know, bhūmi . . . bhūmi . . . metal, what is metal? Metal means earth. Kṛṣṇa says, first of all says, bhūmir āpo analo vāyuḥ: "They are My all energies."
So from argument's point of view, Kṛṣṇa is everything. Therefore Kṛṣṇa can accept service through everything. So this Deity, vigraha, either made of wood, made of stone or earth or metal or painting, they are not different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa has got the potency to accept your service through this medium. So they are not pictures or they are not ordinary idols. You should never . . .
Similarly, a sound vibration. Kṛṣṇa is present through sound vibration because the five elements, ākāśa, the sky . . . sky, within sky, there is sound. So from argumentative point of view also, nobody can deny that this chanting of the holy name of Kṛṣṇa is not identical. It is identical.
Because identical . . . everything is identical. So as soon as you approach the Deity or the name, you should know fully well that Kṛṣṇa is present. Kṛṣṇa is . . . therefore we should worship the Deity with great attention, as much as Kṛṣṇa is present. And similarly, we should worship the holy name with great attention. We should not be inattentive.
Suppose Kṛṣṇa personally comes—personally He is here—suppose personally, as you think of personally, personally comes. If you do not become respectful, is that all right? No. You should be very much respectful. Even a respectable person, ordinary person, a big man or a rich man or a king comes, we become so much respectful. And what about Kṛṣṇa when He's present as arcā-mūrti or as the holy name?
These are the realization point of view: Kṛṣṇa, His name, His form, His quality, His pastimes . . . when you hear about Kṛṣṇa, that is also Kṛṣṇa. Actually, when you are reading Kṛṣṇa book, Kṛṣṇa is fighting with demons, that is also His pastime. So Kṛṣṇa is present. So you should be very attentive and worship this hearing. Unless we come to this point, there is lack of realization what is Kṛṣṇa.