One of Shiva’s most famous fire myths involves his third eye, from which blazing fire erupts to destroy desire (Kāma), demons, and cosmic imbalance.  This fire represents pure awareness—a force that annihilates illusion and restores cosmic order (ṛta).  As Rudra, Shiva embodies fierce, untamed natural forces, including lightning and wildfire. This aspect reflects fire as terrifying uncontrollable and necessary for renewal.  Destruction is not evil, but a prerequisite for regeneration.  In yogic and tantric traditions, Shakti manifests as Kundalini, a dormant serpent fire at the base of the spine. When awakened her fire rises through the chakras, consciousness expands, and liberation (mokṣa) becomes possible.  Kundalini is sacred fire within the body, a direct expression of Shakti.

    Many forms of Shakti are explicitly fiery. Kālī, is destructive, time-consuming fire that breaks down. Durgā, a protective fire and that of the warrior.  Pārvatī, is restrained, nurturing fire that preservers.   Each form expresses fire differently, from nurturing warmth to annihilating flame.  The union of Shiva and Shakti represents fire as total reality.  Shiva  representing consciousness both static and transcendent.  Shakti representing energy both dynamic and  immanent.  Their union produces creation, time, matter, and transformation.  This union is often symbolized through the liṅga as Shiva and yoni as Shakti, ritual fire as homa, and tantric visualization of flame.  Fire here is cosmic metabolism—the process by which the universe continuously becomes and dissolves.

    While Agni is the primary Vedic fire god, Shiva and Shakti absorb and transcend Agni’s role in later Hinduism. Fire rituals become internalized through yoga and meditation, cosmic through destruction and rebirth, and tantric through energy transformation. As Naṭarāja, Shiva dances within a ring of flames, symbolizing the burning cycle of creation and destruction, the universe as rhythmic fire, and liberation through awareness.  The fire surrounding Shiva’s dance is the cosmos itself.  Shiva and Shakti uniquely present fire as both consciousness and energy united.  In Hindu thought, Shiva and Shakti together embody fire at its most complete and profound level. Their sacred fire destroys illusion, generates creation, awakens consciousness, sustains cosmic cycles.  Fire is not merely an element, but the living principle of existence itself—burning as ascetic heat, divine wrath, creative power, and spiritual awakening. Through Shiva and Shakti, fire becomes the very heartbeat of the universe.

References 

• Devī Māhātmya
• Gavin Flood, An Introduction to Hinduism
• Mircea Eliade, Yoga: Immortality and Freedom
• Radhakrishnan, Indian Philosophy

• Ṛig-Veda (fire, tapas, cosmic heat)

• Śiva Purāṇa

• Stella Kramrisch, The Presence of Śiva

• Tantras (various Śaiva and Śākta texts)

• Upaniṣads (especially Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad)

• Wendy Doniger, Hindu Myths