Brihadaranyaka Upanishad Ch.2 4.6-10 Lecture 64 on 30 August 2026 Q&A

Discussion on Involution, Evolution, and the Analogy of Wet Fuel

Question: Vedas as the Source of Knowledge for Both Involution and Evolution

Participant: So for involution, Vedas were the source of knowledge. So that is the source of knowledge for evolution as well.

Response (Maharaj): Involution. Involution. Srishti means involution. Now, having come down to the inorganic, we have to become organic – one-celled, two-celled, multi-celled, then insects or plants, birds, animals, human beings. That is called evolution. Going back process is called evolution. So coming down from the cause is called involution, right? And that coming down is called effect, and the effect again going back into its origin – that is called evolution. The purpose is inevitable. It is not that we have a choice – we will remain here permanently – no.

The Upanishadic View: Vedas Come from Brahman

Response: So what every Upanishad wants to tell is that all the Vedas are coming from Brahman. That is why a shastra is nothing other than God. That is why in the Bible it is said: "In the beginning, God, the Word was with God." The Bible you must have read somewhere – that is God now crucified in the form of knowledge. "Word" means knowledge, and Veda means knowledge. So that is how we have to understand.

Question: The Analogy of Smoke and Wet Wood

Participant: Okay, Maharaj. Yeah, what I didn't – I missed this point about the smoke and the wet wood. How does that relate to...?

Response: That is to say, suppose there is fire. Wet fuel is added to the fire. So the fire is burning the wet fuel. Because it is not dry – if it is dry, what happens? It immediately becomes one with the fire.

Participant: Right.

Response: But then, because all the impurities have to be thrown out, so first smoke comes.

Participant: Yes.

Response: And then sparks come out. Yeah. And then even some sound comes – bhusa bhusa – like that. Right. And the moisture comes out from the other end of the stick – firewood, yes. So these smoke, these sparks – they are manifestations of fire only. That is why it is said: wherever there is smoke, there is fire. So smoke is a manifestation of fire only, and sparks are also manifestation of fire – fire only.

Application: The Listener as Wet Fuel

Response: So whatever we see in this world is nothing but varieties of manifestations of trouble. So what we have to understand is: so when there is a lot of sweat coming out after hearing my talk, you have to understand the listener is wet fuel. And when a person is producing a lot of smoke, that means he is trying hard to understand what I am talking about. And when little by little the understanding is coming out, you can compare perhaps to those sparks. And when it is completely understood, he will become the fire – God-fire.

Conclusion: All Is Manifestation of Brahman

Response: So the whole point is: whether it is an inert thing, whether it is a living thing, whether it is the least intelligent person or most intelligent person – all are finally manifestations of Brahman alone. That is the essence of that particular mantra – ardra vet (wet fuel).