A murti (literally "embodiment" or "form") is the sacred image of a deity — in stone, metal, wood, or clay — through which Hindus offer worship. A murti is not regarded as a mere statue: through the consecration rite of prana pratishtha ("establishing the life-breath"), the divine presence is invoked into the image, after which it is honored as a living embodiment with daily bathing, dressing, food offerings, and aarti. Hindu theology generally explains murti worship as devotion to the formless divine through a perceivable form, a support for the devotee's concentration and love — which is why translators increasingly avoid the word "idol." Iconography is governed by the Shilpa Shastras, which prescribe proportions, postures, and attributes for each deity.