The Dance of Fire and Water: Unraveling the Unitary Essence of Existence.
A Journey Through the Metaphors of Vedanta Philosophy.
The spiritual texts of Vedanta Philosophy are replete with enlightening metaphors that invoke the elements of fire and water. Two prime examples are found in the Avadhuta Gita attributed to Dattatreya, and the ancient Svetasvatara Upanishad. Though expressing different philosophies, both effectively use fire and water symbolism to illustrate the unitary reality underlying existence.
In the Avadhuta Gita, the merging of Atman and Brahman - individual soul and Supreme Spirit - is depicted beautifully through the water metaphor: “Just as water poured into water, there remains no distinction; so is Brahman combined with Atman.” Here the imagery of water blending with water - losing all separation and duality - clearly conveys non-duality; that the fundamental essence of one’s being is identical to the cosmic Absolute Truth pervading all. All is One.
Imagine the sensation of water flowing over your skin, soothing and refreshing. Imagine the sound of water splashing and bubbling, harmonious and rhythmic. Imagine the taste of water quenching your thirst, pure and satisfying. Imagine the sight of water reflecting the light, sparkling and radiant. Imagine the smell of water cleansing the air, fresh and invigorating. Water is life, water is love, water is bliss. Water is the symbol of the supreme state of consciousness, where all distinctions and limitations are dissolved, and only the infinite ocean of being remains.
Contrastingly, the mystical verse from Svetasvatara sees Unity through duality. Like fire manifested by rubbing fire-sticks together, the Lord is made visible by friction between the body (lower stick) and mantra (upper stick). Body, Word and Spirit ignite the flame of revelation. This conveys the playfulness and dance of opposites - prakriti and purusha, feminine and masculine - which generate the fire of spiritual awakening.
The original quote from the Svetasvatara Upanishad that uses the symbolism of fire and sticks is the following:
"Fire is not seen until one firestick rubs against another, though the fire remains hidden in the firestick. So does the Lord Remain hidden in the body until He is revealed through the mystic mantram. Let your body be the lower firestick; Let the mantram be the upper. Rub them against each other in meditation and realize the Lord."
This metaphor expresses the concept that the Lord, or the supreme Self, is hidden in matter, but can be revealed through spiritual practice, such as mantra or meditation. The body is the lower stick, the mantra is the upper stick, and the fire is the knowledge of the Self.
Imagine the sensation of fire burning your skin, painful and intense. Imagine the sound of fire crackling and roaring, chaotic and powerful. Imagine the taste of fire scorching your tongue, bitter and spicy. Imagine the sight of fire illuminating the darkness, dazzling and mesmerizing. Imagine the smell of fire consuming the wood, smoky and pungent. Fire is destruction, fire is transformation, fire is creation. Fire is the symbol of the spiritual process, where the hidden essence is revealed, and the impurities are burned away.
But beneath divergence lies harmony. Water cannot pour into fire; yet in Ultimate Reality, all distinctions dissolve. As the Avadhuta verse states, there remains no observer-observed, subject-object split. The Svetasvatara metaphor shows that Hidden Fire needs ignition; pure Consciousness pervades everywhere, veiled by its creative power of maya. The fire verse also hints at non-duality by ascribing the same substance to both sticks.
So between contrasting word images shines one meaning. Behind the diversity of forms - fire, water or mystical experience - there lies just One Essence, the substratum of existence. Texts and concepts may vary, but the Perennial Wisdom remains constant. Such is the message subtly encrypted in elemental symbols that access our collective psyche; gently awakening us to our innate unity with Infinity. Once awakened, profound peace is found – whether immersed in the cool serenity of metaphorical water or warmed by the glowing insight of allegorical fire.
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