Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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Five Planes of Manifestation

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AGNIHOTRA HOUSE OR SHIP

A symbol of the causal-body, or vehicle of the individuality or spirit.

"The Agnihotra, truly, is the ship that sails heavenwards. The Ahavaniya and Garhapatya are the two sides of the same heavenward-bound ship; and that milk-offerer is the steersman. Now when he advances towards the east, then he steers that ship eastwards towards the heavenly world, and he gains the heavenly world by it. When he ascends from the north it makes him reach the heavenly world; but if one were to sit down in it after entering from the south, it would be as if he tried to enter it after he has put off and he were left behind and remained outside." - Sata. Brâh., II. 3, 3, 15 and 16.

The causal-body, verily, is the vehicle of soul-development. The buddhic and causal aspects arc the two means of development, and the personality offering the higher emotions (milk) promotes its growth towards perfection. Now when the personality aspires, then the soul progresses towards the buddhic plane and the ego gains by it the higher consciousness. When he seeks Truth through the intellect (north), then also the soul reaches the higher plane. But if the personality "sits down to accept the rule of the desires (the south), the result is that the soul is deprived of the means of progression, and the personality is rendered useless.

 

See Also

AFU-RĀ
AHAVANIYA
ARGO
EAST
GÂRHAPATYA
NORTH (Land)
SOUTH (Land)