Most religious rituals, myths and spiritual concepts associated with fire are related to its role as a link between the sacred and the mundane worlds, says RUBY LILAOWALA.
The Rig Veda says: “Like a boat over the river, take us across for our welfare, O Fire, let our sins depart from us.”
Of all the elements of nature, fire is unique in that it is the only element that never becomes polluted or impure. We have heard of contaminated land, polluted water, air and also sky by way of depletion of the ozone layer. But fire is the only element that has not been tainted by human actions. For ages, fire has been regarded as a source of heat, light and purification. It is the greatest physical purifier that can remove all physical impurities. It also represents in various forms the Eternal Light, the universal symbol of God – the ever-pure Supreme Being who removes all impurities of souls.
In the physical realm fire plays a vital role in creating and sustaining life. The heat and light of the sun are essential for the subsistence of plant, animal and human life. Besides its use for cooking, lighting, warming and protection from wild beasts, man has used fire in myriad ways – heating, combustion, lighting, transportation, arms, healthcare, communications etc.
Fire is both domestic and cosmic. Fire requires material particles for existence; it cannot exist in a vacuum. Terrestrial fire requires the presence of air and something to burn. Rocks when struck together can produce fire. Fire is also present in petrol and cooking gas. It usually burns upwards and it automatically subsides and dies after consuming the fuel.
Fire is the strongest and quickest transformational element. It can even melt solids as hard as rock and iron. Fire can quickly change matter from one form to another. When properly managed, fire is useful, but uncontrolled it causes devastation. A thing burnt in fire is either totally destroyed or changed permanently. Fire is widely used to purify metals by removing alloys, and to disinfect organic and inorganic items. The sun is a natural cleanser and disinfectant that can kill germs and harmful organic substances.
Cosmic fire is the electromagnetic energy manifest as sunshine, which permeates the earthy realm as heat and light. It intermingles with other elements – earth, water and air – to regulate the earth’s atmosphere and catalyse the life-sustaining water cycle.
Fire defines the intricate relationship between the spiritual and the material states of existence. Most religious rituals, myths and spiritual concepts associated with fire are related to its role as a link between the sacred and the mundane worlds. Be it a candle symbolising eternal light in a church or the red light that hangs before the Ark of Law in a synagogue, a sacrificial fire (yagna), or a butter lamp, the fire has been accepted in all religions as a holy power that enlightens, purifies, transforms and dispels evil.
Hindus worship fire as Agni, one of the main Vedic deities. They perform ‘yagna’ – the fire sacrifice –to honour the deities. Recitation of scripture, or the performance of puja and sadhana is always accompanied by fire. Fire is considered a transcendental medium to higher realms. Agni was considered as the mouth and ears of Gods and hence offerings to Gods were made through fire. Earlier sages would carry along sacred fire wherever they went. The saffron-coloured, triangular, forked flag is a symbol of fire that adorns Hindu temples and is carried by pilgrims.
Offering oil and butter lamps is symbolic of surrendering our vices, desires and ego to God. Lamps are also lit to express joy and good wishes at various ceremonies such as marriages, the homecoming of a bridegroom or a bride, or soldiers, inauguration and purification of homes, or the launch of new ventures. Yagnas are also performed to ward off evil and for purification of a place.
The ancient Persians revered fire as the living embodiment of Light and Good. The ancient Greeks associated fire with Apollo, the Sun God, and Hestia, the goddess of hearth; it was also worshipped by Romans as Vesta. At Roman temples, the Vestal Virgins guarded the sacred fire through scrupulous chastity. The Chinese worshipped Zhu Rong as a solar deity. The Buddhists have Goma/ Homa fire rituals for purification and warding off sickness and difficulties. As we all know, The Hindus have festivals of Dussehra, Holi and Diwali where fire plays a big part.
Fire is also a destroyer. It is used to add as well as to remove alloys from metals. The passions of human beings such as lust, hatred, greed and worry are vicious fires that can destroy the soul and damn it to suffer in the fires of hell. It is also used in all purification rituals.
