Lord Vyantesha swami and Goddess Shridevi, Bhudevi idols made of brass metal. Lord Shrinivasa (Malayappa swami) is worshipped during religious ceremonies and processions wherein it would be inappropriate to use the main deity.
Vyantesha swami is seen in the standing pose and is a replica of Dhruva bera. The two upper arms hold the sankhu and chakram while the two lower arms are in yoga poses. The right arm is in the Varada hasta pose (boon giving) and the lower left arm is in the Katyavalambita pose (palm perpendicular to the ground and resting on the hip).
The idol of Sridevi is always placed on the right hand side of Sri Vyantesha swami. The panchaloha idol is seen with the left hand in the Kataka hasta pose. In this pose, the fingers are partially closed, as if holding a lotus. The right hand hangs loosely on the side and the fingers are held in the Gajakarna pose.
The idol of Bhudevi is always seen on the left hand side of Lord Vyantesha swami. The idol is very similar to the idol of Sridevi to signify that Sridevi and Bhudevi represent the two equal spirits of Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu. The only difference in the idols is the swap in the hand poses. The idol of Bhudevi has her right hand in Kataka hasta pose and the left in Gajakarna pose.
Make: Made in heavy brass.
Brass is well known for its grasping capacity.It grasps the divine spirit upto 30%, when compared to other metals.The spiritual vibrations are attracted towards these shining idols easily.
Dimensions of Vyantesha: 6 inches (H) x 3 inches (W) x 2 inches (base)
Dimensions of Bhudevi: 5.5 inches (H) x 2 inches (W) x 2 inches (base)
Dimensions of Sridevi: 5.5 inches (H) x 2 inches (W) x 2 inches (base)
Weight: 1.2 kgs
Importance of Idol worship: Idols are not the idle fancies of sculptors, but shining channels through which the heart of the devotee is attracted to and flows towards God. Though the image is worshipped, the devotee feels the presence of the Lord in it and pours out his devotion unto it.Regular worship,Puja and other modes of demonstrating our inner feeling of recognition of Divinity in the idol unveils the Divinity latent in it.This is truly a wonder and a miracle.The picture comes to life.The idol speaks. It will answer your questions and solve your problems.The God in you has the power to awaken the latent Divinity in the idol.The lives of Mirabai, Sant Tukaram,Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Yogananda are a few instances to prove the point.They proved beyond doubt that idol worship has its own brighter side and through simple faith and intense devotion one can realize God through it.
Idols are the "finite representation of the Infinite".As per Vishnu Samhita (ch 29, v 55-7), persuasively endorses the use of imagery (idols) and puts it:"Without a form how can God be mediated upon? If (He is) without any form, where will the mind fix itself? When there is nothing for the mind to attach itself to,it will slip away from meditation or will glide into a state of slumber.Therefore the wise will meditate on some form, remembering,however,that the form is a superimposition and not a reality."