When we look at a person’s photograph, it only reminds us of memories or past events; a photo has no consciousness. Speaking in front of it does not make it hear us — whatever we feel is simply imagination. But spirituality reveals something entirely different. When one speaks before the photograph of a true Guru, the Guru actually hears. Just as two people talk over a telephone, the disciple’s words reach the Guru, and the Guru responds. The same is true for divine idols. Though made of stone, they listen and answer the prayers of devotees — countless seekers experience this. When Lord Krishna established the Nath tradition, He declared that whenever a Nath Guru enters any temple, the deity of that temple will personally appear and welcome him. This itself shows that divine idols are conscious, aware, and responsive. Shri Venkateshnath Maharaj, the 15th Nath in the lineage of Matsyendranath, often demonstrated such divine powers.
Once, in Amravati, Maharaj visited a devotee named Kevale. Many people gathered for darshan. A devotee introduced a proud photographer who boasted about his famous studio and superior skill. Maharaj gently asked if he could take a good photo of Him. The photographer confidently agreed and took two pictures, promising to return within two hours — but he never came. After waiting a long time, someone was sent to call him, yet he still did not return. Finally, Kevale went to the studio and brought the photographs back. Everyone was stunned. In one photo, instead of Maharaj, there was a dog. In the other, a cat. Maharaj smiled and asked, “Did you not take OUR photograph? Is this the result?” Realising that his ego had been shattered by divine power, the photographer fell at Maharaj’s feet in repentance. Even a camera could not function independently before the will of a Nath Yogi.
A disciple from Chandrapur once planned a 15-day family trip, leaving their house completely empty. Before locking the door, he folded his hands before Maharaj’s photograph and said, “Maharaj, we are going out. Please protect our home until we return.” When they returned, neighbours rushed to them and said that one day five or six thieves attempted to break the lock. Suddenly a strong-built man — a *Purabhaiya* — came out from inside with a heavy stick, shouted fiercely and chased the thieves away. They had seen him go inside afterward, but strangely never saw him come out again. The disciple was stunned — there was no one in the house. Later, when he visited Maharaj, the Guru smiled and said, “You had told us to look after the house. So we did not allow the thieves to succeed.” Only then did the devotee understand that it was Maharaj Himself who had appeared in that form.
Though a Guru’s photograph or a deity’s idol appears lifeless to the senses, spiritually they are alive and conscious. They respond to sincerity, devotion, and faith. When we approach them with purity of heart, they acknowledge our presence and hear our prayers. Therefore, one must never consider them as mere objects, but as living gateways of divine consciousness. With this understanding, worship deepens, and spiritual progress becomes effortless.