Shloka 46
Nārada Instructs Prācīnabarhiṣat: The Purañjana Narrative Begins
City of Nine Gates
पञ्च द्वारस्तु पौरस्त्या दक्षिणैका तथोत्तरा । पश्चिमे द्वे अमूषां ते नामानि नृप वर्णये ॥ ४६ ॥
pañca dvāras tu paurastyā dakṣiṇaikā tathottarā paścime dve amūṣāṁ te nāmāni nṛpa varṇaye
اے بادشاہ! ان نو دروازوں میں سے پانچ مشرق کی طرف، ایک شمال کی طرف، ایک جنوب کی طرف اور دو مغرب کی طرف تھے۔ اب میں ان مختلف دروازوں کے نام بیان کرتا ہوں۔
Of the seven doors on the surface — namely the two eyes, two ears, two nostrils and one mouth — five look forward, and these are described as the doors facing the eastern side. Since looking forward means seeing the sun, these are described as the eastern gates, for the sun rises in the east. The gate on the northern side and the gate on the southern side represent the two ears, and the two gates facing the western side represent the rectum and the genitals. All the doors and gates are described below.
FAQs
In this allegory, Śukadeva describes a city with gates in different directions, indicating the various openings/paths of perception and activity through which the embodied soul interacts with the world.
He is unfolding the Puranjana allegory step-by-step for King Prācīnabarhi, guiding him from ritualistic absorption toward self-knowledge and devotion by explaining how the jīva becomes engaged through the body and senses.
See the body as a “city” with sensory gateways; by regulating what enters through these gates (attention, habits, inputs), one can reduce bondage to sense-enjoyment and redirect life toward bhakti and inner awareness.