Murti
/ˈmʊər.ti/noun
A sacred image or physical representation of a Hindu deity used in worship.
Did you know?In Hindu theological practice, a murti is traditionally consecrated through ritual, transforming an image from an object into an honored focus of divine presence.
Etymological Timeline
Vedic Sanskrit
Sanskrit
mūrti
“Form, shape, embodiment, or manifestation; related to the idea of something taking solid form.”
Classical Sanskrit
Sanskrit
mūrti
“A form or embodied manifestation, especially the visible form of a deity.”
Medieval Sanskrit
Sanskrit
mūrti
“A consecrated divine image or iconic representation used in ritual worship.”
Medieval Indo-Aryan
Hindi
mūrti
“An idol, image, or statue of a deity.”
19th Century
English
murti
“A Hindu religious image or representation of a deity, borrowed from Sanskrit and modern Indo-Aryan usage.”
Modern English
English
murti
“A sacred image of a Hindu deity, especially one installed in a temple or shrine.”