अरण्योर्निहितो जातवेदा गर्भ इव सुभृतो गर्भिणीभिः ।
दिवे दिवे ईड्यो जागृवद्भिर्हविष्मद्भिर्मनुष्येभिरग्निः । एतद्वै तत् ॥ ८॥
araṇyornihito jātavedā garbha iva subhṛto garbhiṇībhiḥ .
dive dive īḍyo jāgṛvadbhirhaviṣmadbhirmanuṣyebhiragniḥ . etadvai tat .. 8..
Agni, hidden in the two fire-sticks and well guarded-like a child in the womb, by its mother-is worshipped day after day by men who are awake and by those who offer oblations in the sacrifices. This, verily, is That.
Commentary:
Yama is driving this idea again and again into the mind of Nachiketas. “Don’t be under the impression that I am not giving you the answer. Here is that, as fire is hidden between two fire sticks.” There are certain types of wood which embody the principle of fire in a greater measure than other pieces of wood. Everywhere fire is pervading. If two sticks strike each other, there will be fire in the forest. There is a particular tree called the arani, and when two pieces of wood from this tree are rubbed one over the other, sparks are produced. Sparks emanate even when we strike one stone against another. It shows that fire is embedded everywhere in a subtle, hidden form. As fire is hidden between two fire sticks, as a foetus is hidden in the womb of the mother, this Great Being is hiddenly present in the heart of all. Every day it is adored, worshipped and glorified by awakened spirits who perform sacrifices day in and day out for contacting this wonderful Being, and by all people who are seeking it. This is the cosmic fire, the eternal fire of God. Etad vai tat: “Here is the answer for you, Nachiketas. Be happy,” says Yama.
