The Rite of the Naked Fire*
The Invocation
Om Namah Shivaya!
The Oration
One fire, One God, One world, One people; |
*Most sects of Sannyasins of Tantrik or Yoga traditions associated with Shiva, Shiva Shakti, or the Mother Goddess observe the custom, the origin of which is lost in antiquity, of keeping a sacred fire burning in any place where they stay for a period. This fire is lit in a circular Dhunee made of mud and stones, and its lighting is initiated with some ritual. These cults do not worship fire, but the Dhunee, once lit, is regarded as sacred and the ashes are used to smear and mark the body and also are given to visitors for the same purpose.If the rite is performed in a building or home, a metal or earthenware bowl can be used. The fire can be very small, and can be fed with ghee or vegetable oil. Mineral oil, paper, or chemicals must not be used. Once the rite is completed, the Sadhus leave it to smolder, and add wood or cow dung as necessary. If performed in a home or as a private ceremony, it need not be kept burning longer than the actual need. The rite of the Naked Fire is the one used by the Adi-Nath sect of Nathas. The words, originally Sanskrit, are here rendered in English. Only the Mantras of the invocation must be retained in their original form. OM prefaces all mantras, and it is put there to imply that whatever is expressed in the mantra, it is still only OM.
Attention should be paid to the wording of the rite if it is not only to become a worthless ritual. Each verse expresses basic Upanishad teachings, and they can expand one's awareness. Most Sannyasin sects have a strict tradition that they must be naked when meditating, performing the fire rite, and (as sometimes done by the new, young Sadhus) when doing puja or worship. A rite of this kind is an ideal opening for group meditation or for the practice and teaching of Yoga. In such circumstances one person should light and tend the fire, while another chants the Mantras and text.
Fire rites differ considerably among different sects and Guru schools. This rite of the Naked Fire, although modern in its presentation, preserves that Golden Thread which runs through Hindu Paganism, and it expresses, most of all, the teachings of Shri Dattatreya and the Adi-Naths. Fire rites in non-Aryan Paganism are not exclusive to Sadhus and may be performed by householders and students.
-Shri Gurudev Mahendranath
File translated from TEX by TTH, version 3.01.
On 13 Oct 2002, 17:32.