Thread by @mmpandit

A short thread on whether “bhinna or khandit” Murtis can be worshipped or not.
#Murtipuja

So.. as far as shastra goes, “bhinna or khandit” murti must not be worshipped. Ideally.
However, there are certain other interesting things which have happened in the past.
#Murtipuja

Many years ago, Rani Rashomani was heartbroken as the priest of the Radhakanta temple accidentally dropped the #murti of Shri Krishna.
The shastras are pretty much unanimous in avoidance of the worship of a broken image/murti.

#Murtipuja

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was in a what can be best described as “out of body” frame of mind. Perhaps he saw how distraught Rani Rashomani was... perhaps he did not... but certainly he sensed the ethereal vibration which arises in the vicinity of distressed people...
#Murtipuja

Ramakrishna said: “This solution is ridiculous. If a son-in-law of the Rani broke his leg, would she discard him and put another in his place? Wouldn’t she rather arrange for his treatment? Why should she not do the same thing in this case too?++
#Murtipuja

++ he continued:
“Let the image be repaired and worshipped as before.”
This sort of solution is not completely unusual... BUT of course a lot of emphasis is placed on
Who is giving the advice,
What is the #Nimmita / dream arising?
#Murtipuja

Similarly... in one of the #AstaVinayaka murtis which is placed in #Mahad... #VaradVinayaka, the original murti is still kept in Puja along with the new one after it broke.
Personally, I wouldn’t have done it quite that way as the original #Murti was recovered in a dream.

Like that, the #Murtis of the #Yoginis were desecrated in various temples... BUT they are still worshipped and still retain their power...