Meaning: This quote by Max Muller, a 19th-century German-born philologist and Orientalist, delves into the idea of the divine and its intrinsic connection to the created world. Muller was known for his studies of the Vedic religion and his contributions to the understanding of ancient Indian texts, and his quote reflects his deep interest in spiritual and philosophical matters.

Muller's statement begins with the concept that what emanates from the divine, even if it is just a reflection, still contains the essence of the divine within it. This notion draws parallels to the idea that even a mere reflection of something powerful or profound still carries some of the qualities and characteristics of the original source. In this context, Muller seems to be suggesting that anything that comes from the divine, no matter how faint or indirect, retains the inherent nature of the divine.

The analogy of the reflection from a fire is particularly evocative. Just as a reflection mirrors the fire's light and heat, it also represents the fire itself. Similarly, whatever emanates from the divine is imbued with its divine nature, even if it is not the direct source. This idea aligns with various religious and philosophical traditions that emphasize the interconnectedness of all existence and the presence of the divine in all things.

Muller then expands on this concept by posing rhetorical questions about the nature of fundamental elements: the fire without glow, the sun without light, and the Creator without the creature. These questions serve to highlight the inseparable relationship between the source and its emanation. They prompt contemplation about the significance of the derived elements in relation to their sources. The fire without its glow would lack its defining feature, just as the sun without light would lose its essential quality. Similarly, Muller suggests that the Creator would be incomplete without the existence of the creature.

This line of reasoning echoes the theological concept of creation ex nihilo, which posits that the universe was created by a deity out of nothing. In this context, Muller's questions invite reflection on the interdependence of the divine and the created world. Without the created beings, the Creator's role and significance would be fundamentally altered or diminished. Muller's contemplation calls attention to the profound and intricate relationship between the divine and its manifestations in the world.

In conclusion, Max Muller's quote encapsulates profound philosophical and theological insights into the relationship between the divine and the created world. It invites contemplation on the interconnectedness of all existence and the essential nature of the divine in everything that emanates from it. Muller's words resonate with those who ponder the mysteries of existence and seek to understand the profound connections between the transcendent and the immanent.