With Pāyāsi 17: 2.8. The Simile of the Hot Iron Ball

With Pāyāsi 17

“Well then, chieftain, I shall give you a simile.

For by means of a simile some sensible people understand the meaning of what is said.

Suppose a person was to heat an iron ball all day until it was burning, blazing, and glowing, and then they weigh it with scales.

After some time, when it had cooled and become quenched, they’d weigh it again.

When would that iron ball be lighter, softer, and more workable—when it’s burning or when it’s cool?”

“So long as the iron ball is full of heat and air—burning, blazing, and glowing—it’s lighter, softer, and more workable.

But when it lacks heat and air—cooled and quenched—it’s heavier, stiffer, and less workable.”

“In the same way, so long as this body is full of life and warmth and consciousness it’s lighter, softer, and more flexible.

But when it lacks life and warmth and consciousness it’s heavier, stiffer, and less flexible.

By this method, too, it ought to be proven that

there is an afterlife.”

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