child, the divine son Agni. The two pieces of wood are called in the cult Purûravas and Urvaçî, and were thought of personified as man and woman. The fire was born from the genitals of the woman.[13] An especially interesting representation of fire production, as a religious ceremony (manthana), is given by Weber:[14]
"A certain sacrificial fire was lit by the rubbing together of
two sticks; one piece of wood is taken up with the words: 'Thou
art the birthplace of the fire,' and two blades of grass are placed
upon it; 'Ye are the two testicles,' to the 'adhârarani' (the
underlying wood): 'Thou art Urvaçî'; then the utarârani (that
which is placed on top) is anointed with butter. 'Thou art
Power.' This is then placed on the adhârarani. 'Thou art
Purûravas' and both are rubbed three times. 'I rub thee with
the Gâyatrîmetrum: I rub thee with the Trishtubhmeṭrum: I rub
thee with the Jagatîmetrum.'"
The sexual symbolism of this fire production is unmistakable.
We see here also the rhythm, the metre in its
original place as sexual rhythm, rising above the mating
call into music. A song of the Rigveda[15] conveys the
same interpretation and symbolism:
"Here is the gear for function, here tinder made ready for the spark.
Bring thou the matron:[16] we will rub Agni in ancient fashion forth.
In the two fire-sticks Jâtavedas lieth, even as the well-formed germ in pregnant women;
Agni who day by day must be exalted by men who watch and worship with oblations;
Lay this with care on that which lies extended: straight hath she borne the steer when made prolific.
