It is well known that fire plays an important part in Hinduism. According to tradition, fire both gives and takes life. It is the carrier of human offerings to the Gods and symbolises purity. This is best exemplified by the havan ritual performed in Hindu homes where fire becomes the medium of transporting prayers to the deities. In fact, fire also plays an important role in other religions such a Zoroastrianism. And given fire’s role in human civilisation itself, it is hardly surprising that fire enjoys an exalted spiritual status.
But the other day I was observing a bonfire at a social gathering and realised that fire also symbolises the different stages of a person’s life. First, the fire flickers to life and is really small. At this stage one has to really tend to the fire. It needs to be protected from external interference and at the same time fanned from below to make it bigger. This seems to me like how parents tend to their children from when they are babies till their pre-teens. These are the years when children need the most protection. They need to be disciplined and showed the right way. In that sense, these are the years that parents work hard to make the fire in their children bigger.
The next stage of the fire is when it turns into a big flame. This can be compared to a person’s teenage years full of energy. And just like the dancing fire, teenagers are brimming with confidence and even develop a bit of an irreverent attitude towards their parents. Anything that is put into the fire now is quickly consumed. It is as if the fire starts thinking it is more powerful than its creator, again much like teenagers.
The third stage is when the flames stop dancing and the fire becomes a nice orange smouldering burn. The fire doesn’t seem very energetic but actually the hot coals are at their highest temperature. Thus, there is depth in the fire at this stage and it burns slowly but with a lot of productivity and gravitas. This can be compared to a person’s middle age when maturity sets in, wisdom expands and creativity reaches its zenith. And according to me, the heat from the fire at this stage is the best – just the right kind that envelopes you like a cosy, warm blanket. And it is this stage that one wants to prolong the most.
The final stage is when the fire starts turning white and dying down. This clearly is old age. There is still wisdom here as the fire keeps burning under the white ash. Eventually the burn disappears but leaves behind a certain warmth. Ultimately, only ash remains which incidentally is an excellent fertiliser for plants symbolising new life. This too represents a person’s passing away where even after death the values and teachings that he or she inculcated in children support the next generation.
Hence, we can see our lives as different stages of fire. And therefore it is our duty to burn as brightly as we can, till we can. That means giving ourselves 100% to every moment of our daily routine. After all, from fire we are born and to fire we shall return.
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