________________
Lord Shiva moved due to divine worship, the element which was produced was water. So, water is the form or image of Lord Shiva and also the life of all living beings. This rain might appear to be disturbing our program, but if we see beyond this dimension, we realize that it is not a disturbance but an indication of a new life force, a vital energy arising
In the second mantra of Chandogya Upanishad, it has been said about water: Bhutaanaam prithivee rasah prithivya aapo rasah. If there is any essence of earth, it is water. So, you should understand these two elements. Water was subtle, the forerunner of the unmixed fire elements in the beginning of creation. There were no attributes of touch, of sound, or of coolness. But after water mixed with the fire element, it became the flowing fluid which you see as rain. Water is the essence of elements subtler than earth. You will find all the other attributes along with the living beings, who after exhausting their past karma, come down from the lunar loka to earth to perform new karma.
You and I and all beings came to the earth like this. Earlier we were in the clouds. Prior to that we were in the loka of the moon. Wherever we might have been prior to this, we would not have been subject to these karmas of death and birth. From whichever lokas we have come, the route of our journey was through water. So, wherever there are rains, people feel happy as there will ultimately be good crops. More food will be produced; people will be getting a sufficient amount to eat, and so they will flourish. It means that the total process of growth, of life, depends on food. Innumerable life forms are in every particle of water which is the essence of earth. Bhutaanaam prithivee rasah, prithivya aapo rasah. Water is the essence of the totality of creation, the ocean of nectar. If you get a drop of it and touch it with your lips, you have acquired the means of your wellbeing, but if you submerge a man in the ocean of nectar, he will die. So if the water element is in excess, it can become the cause of death and devastation, instead of life.
However, God, by His will, has transformed water into another form. What is that? The essence of water was separated, and it became aushadhi, herbs. Whatever we eat is called aushadhi. The illustrious commentator, Acharya Shankara, says, Bhiksho satam bhujyataam. The hunger that you
151
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
