आकाशो वाव तेजसो भूयानाकाशेवै सूर्याचन्द्रमसावुभौ विद्युन्नक्षत्राण्यग्नि-राकाशेनाह्वयत्याकाशेन शृणोत्याकाशेनप्रतिशृणोत्याकाशे रमत आकाशे न र-मत आकाशे जायत आकाशमभिजा-यत आकाशमुपास्स्वेति ॥ १ ॥
In plain words
Space is greater than fire, for space is the cause of fire together with air. Just as clay is greater than the pots made from it, the cause is always greater than its effect; and because space is the cause of fire and air, it is greater than them. How so? Within space are the sun and moon, lightning, stars, and whatever else shines—and whatever is contained inside something else is smaller, while the container is larger. Furthermore, through space people call to one another, and through space they hear. Through space we enjoy our companions, and in confinement or sorrow we feel its absence. Life is born in space, not in confinement. Even sprouts grow upward toward the open sky, never downward against it. Therefore, meditate upon space.
Close to the Sanskrit
Space is indeed greater than fire, because of the sky being the cause of fire accompanied by air. As clay is seen to be greater than pots and other effects, so space is the cause of fire accompanied by air, and therefore greater. How? In space reside both sun and moon, forms of light, lightning, stars, and fire. Whatever resides inside something else is small, the container is greater. Furthermore, through space one calls another, and the called person hears through space; another hears the sound spoken by another. In space people delight, playing with each other; and one does not delight in space during separation from relatives and the like. In space one is born, not in a restricted tangible object. Thus sprouts and the like grow toward space, not in reverse. Therefore, meditate upon space.