Kathopanishad- Verse 8 - kathopanishad-2-1-8-araṇyornihito

Kathopanishad – Part 2 – Canto 1 – Verse 8 « »

अरण्योर्निहितो जातवेदा गर्भ इव सुभृतो गर्भिणीभिः ।
दिवे दिवे ईड्यो जागृवद्भिर्हविष्मद्भिर्मनुष्येभिरग्निः । एतद्वै तत् ॥ ८॥

araṇyornihito jātavedā garbha iva subhṛto garbhiṇībhiḥ .
dive dive īḍyo jāgṛvadbhirhaviṣmadbhirmanuṣyebhiragniḥ . etadvai tat .. 8..

8 Agni, hidden in the two fire-sticks and well guarded-like a child in the womb, by its mother-is worshipped day after day by men who are awake and by those who offer oblations in the sacrifices. This, verily, is That.

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Sri Shankara’s Commentary (Bhashya) translated by S. Sitarama Sastri

Again, the sacrificial fire lodged in the upper arani and the lower arani, the eater of all offerings and the fire within the body; which are well-maintained by the ritviks and yôgins, respectively, as the foetus is well-maintained in the world by pregnant women, by means of food, drink, etc., not condemned. Moreover, fit to be worshipped, i.e., eulogised and adored every day by those who follow Karma and by those who follow yôga, in sacrifices and at heart; jâgrivadbhih, who are by nature on the alert, i.e., watchful. Havishmadbhih, by those having offerings such as ghee, etc., and by those having contemplation and meditation. This verily is that—that Brahman now treated of.

Commentary by Swami Krishnananda of the great Divine Life Society

Araṇyor nihito jāta-vedā garbha iva subhṛto garbhiṇībhiḥ: dive diva īḍyo jāgṛvadbhir haviṣmadbhir manuṣyebhir agniḥ: etad vai tat (2.1.8). Yama is driving this idea again and again into the mind of Nachiketas. “Don’t be under the impression that I am not giving you the answer. Here is that, as fire is hidden between two fire sticks.” There are certain types of wood which embody the principle of fire in a greater measure than other pieces of wood. Everywhere fire is pervading. If two sticks strike each other, there will be fire in the forest. There is a particular tree called the arani, and when two pieces of wood from this tree are rubbed one over the other, sparks are produced. Sparks emanate even when we strike one stone against another. It shows that fire is embedded everywhere in a subtle, hidden form. As fire is hidden between two fire sticks, as a foetus is hidden in the womb of the mother, this Great Being is hiddenly present in the heart of all. Every day it is adored, worshipped and glorified by awakened spirits who perform sacrifices day in and day out for contacting this wonderful Being, and by all people who are seeking it. This is the cosmic fire, the eternal fire of God. Etad vai tat: “Here is the answer for you, Nachiketas. Be happy,” says Yama.

Links
Various resources on the Kathopanishad
Upanishad Series – Katopanishad Commentary by Swami Chinmayananda

Kathopanishad – Verse 8 – kathopanishad-2-1-8-araṇyornihito – In Sanskrit with English Transliteration, Meaning and Commentary by Adi Shankaracharya (Sankara Bhashya) – Katha-2-1-8