Images of Hindu deities used for veneration should always be as close an interpretation as possible of the dhyāna mantra of the deity. This is a prescribed meditative visualization, which can be interpreted with devotion to make a physical image. Based on the Hayaśīrṣa Pañcarātra and the Nārada Mahāpurāṇa, in choosing an icon for veneration, the order of preference is:
- A svayambhū icon made by the deity themselves.
- Carved, painted, or drawn by a spiritual master who knows the traditional dhyānas of the deity and has likely perceived the deity directly as well.
- Carved, painted, or drawn by a spiritual practitioner who knows the dhyānas.
- Carved, painted, or drawn by an artist who is spiritual (though not a formal practitioner) and knows the dhyānas plus abides by the guidelines for materials and forms as prescribed in a given tradition.
- Carved, painted, or drawn by an artist who focuses primarily on the aesthetics rather than technical details.
- Reproduction of any of the above - this includes lithography, photocopies, pulling up an image of one of the above on a device screen, etc.
- By any means, informed by the above as much as possible.