Katha Upanishad 5.1

The City of Eleven GatesYajur Veda

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Katha Upanishad 5.1
intermediate
पुरमेकादशद्वारमजस्यावक्रचेतसः। अनुष्ठाय न शोचति विमुक्तश्च विमुच्यते। एतद्वै तत्॥

puramekadasadvāramajasyāvakracetasaḥ | anuṣṭhāya na śocati vimuktaśca vimucyate | etadvai tat ||

""The city of eleven gates belongs to the unborn one of unwavering consciousness. Meditating on Him, one grieves not and, liberated, becomes free. This verily is That.""

What This Means:

The body is a city with 11 gates (openings). The unborn Self rules this city. Meditating on this Self brings freedom from grief and liberation.

Going Deeper:

The 11 gates are: 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, mouth, navel, 2 lower openings, and the crown (brahmarandhra).

How To Apply This:

Your body is the Self's dwelling place. Know the ruler within the city.

#body as city#eleven gates#liberation