In Adwaitha Vedantha philosophy there is the famous analogy of the snake and the rope to illustrate the concept of Maya (Illusory nature of phenomenal life), in which the rope in darkness is mistaken for a snake creating panic. The real thing is the rope which is the emotionally neutral Reality that is mistaken for a fearsome snake, the agonizing ups and downs of everyday life. Day to day life is thus only an illusion, a play of the mind on the Reality because of the darkness or ignorance of the viewer..
Strictly speaking, the conceptual God or his power attributed to the idol in a temple is similar. The stone idol is mistaken for God. But there is a difference. The power and imagery of the idol is a deliberately created illusion for a purpose, and not a mistaken identity. The idol with imagery being just a tool, is finally to be dropped. But, for a devotee who is not aware of the purpose, or that it is a deliberate creation, the snake is as real as any other. He can only live with his delusion and go ahead with his belief to get whatever relief or benefit his belief can give him. He cannot use it for a greater purpose unless he overgrows his belief.
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