The most tangible, of all the mysteries, that this universe has to offer, is ‘fire’, aag, agni, the flamboyant, blazing, orange tongues of leaping fire, are actually celestial sparks, that you can peer into for hours, without being able to unravel their seething heart. The dynamism and zest in human hearts, has the capacity to be a conflagration.
On the other hand, a holocaust of fervent fanatics, can paint a perfectly beautiful heaven into hell ! – a raging forest fire is a powerful force. It can be seen for miles, fuming and scalding whatever comes in its way, while looking like a million bucks ! kindling even a small campfire, can be tough, if you lack the technique. The fire in our hearts, though has to be like molten lava, oozing out in a passionate arousal, of rainbow dreams. ”chullhe agg na ghadde de vich paani, chhaddeyaan di joon buri.”
Man has, always had the knack, of playing with fire, whether it is hearts or bullets. The thrill of looking up at the night sky, to see the fireworks, lighting up the firmament, with the ”aatish baazi”, must have started with the mughal emperor, Babar’s first artillery fire in India. ”Ek aag ka dariya hai, aur doob ke jaana hai” was perhaps the most apt summing up of ”ishq.” Fire mesmerizes and hypnotizes, fire thrills and intrigues, making one forget that it has a burning and raging heart. The irony is that, though a tiny spark can become a smoking and throbbing fire, yet all fires go out eventually !.
Who can explain to a heart on fire to wear protective gear.? Gold has to prove its purity by the test of fire. Fire in the heart, often befuddles and bemuses the head with smoke, the same fire, both enlightens and consumes. The moth and the candle are ample testimony to this saga ‘shama jis aag mein jalti hai numaaish ke liye, hum ussi aag mein gumnaam se jal jaate hain aur.” ‘bujh gayee ek aah mein sham me hayaat, mujh ko ek aah sard ne thhanda kiya – zulmat kade mein mere shab e gham ka josh hai, ikk shamma hai daleel e sahar, so khaamosh hai
Lily Swarn’s Book ” A Bejewelled Tiara” on Love And Peace published by Authors Press is available on Amazon
Lily Swarn can be reached at sukhish83@gmail.com
