"It is considered by the wise that the identity of the reflection (of consciousness) and the ego is like that of the red hot iron ball. That (identified) ego (in turn) due to identification (with the body) enlivens the body." - Verse 7
Excerpt From Commentary
An iron ball is circular in shape, heavy in weight, black in color and cold to touch. Fire is formless, weightless, bright in color and hot to touch. When an iron ball is heated for a long time, fire envelops it so completely that we no lover perceive two different entities, but only a red hot fire ball. The ball now has the shape and weight of iron and the color and touch of the fire. Fire can never have weight, nor iron heat, but their characteristics seem to have become inseparably united. This mutual superimposition of characteristics is called 'anyonya dharma adhyasa'. Such a fire ball can, in turn, give heat to objects which come in contact with it.
The reflection of Consciousness is different from the ego. The reflection of Consciousness is sentient and unchanging. The 'I' notion is inert and changing. The ego rises with every thought. The identification of the ego with the reflection of Consciousness is known as the sentient ego or the jiva.
The sentient ego or jiva identifies with the gross body and enlivens it. Here too, there is a mutual superimposition of characteristics. The body is inert and made up of minerals. When the sentient ego and the body identify with each other, the erroneous notion of 'I am the sentient body' is born. This notion is not taken as a transactional convenience but a reality. This is the cause of disaster for people all around the globe. In making this fundamental mistake, I take all the suffering of the body and its relationships onto myself.
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