Section 5.6 (sixth khaṇḍa) (two texts)

Upaniṣad text:

The Earth, O Gautama, is the Fire; of that, the Year is the Fuel; Ākāśa is the Smoke; Night is the Flame; the Quarters are the Embers, and the Intermediate Quarters are the Sparks.—(1)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

The Earth, O Gautama, is the Fire etc., etc.—as before.—Of that—Fire named ‘Earth’—the Year is the Fuel; it is only after developing throughout the year that the Earth becomes capable of producing Vrīhi and other grains.—Ākāśa is the Smoke; because the Ākāśa appears to be rising out of the Earth just as smoke rises out of the Fire. Night is the Flame; as the Night resembles the Earth in not consisting of light, both being of the form of Darkness; just as the Flame resembles Fire (in point of brightness). The Quarters are the Embers, on the ground of the common character of being calm. The Inter mediate Quarters are the sparks,—because both are insignificant.—(1)

Upaniṣad text:

In that Fire, the Deities offer Rain; out of that libation comes Food.—(2)

Commentary (Śaṅkara Bhāṣya):

In that Fire etc., etc.,—as before.—Out of this libation comes Food,—in the shape of Vrīhi and other grains.—(2)

End of Section (6) of Discourse V.