Kith and kin wept and left - mantrA 152

srigurubhyO namahA |
In the 152nd mantrA the sage comments on the nine openings that close once finally at the time of death. The soul breaks free from the body it has been enclosed in, through the period of time we call life, and exits through one of these nine openings.

பந்தல் பிரிந்தது பண்டாரங் கட்டற்ற
ஒன்பது வாசலும் ஒக்க அடைத்தன

துன்புறு காலந் துரிசுவர மேன்மேல்
அன்புடை யார்கள் அழுதகன் றார்களே. I.2.10.152

The roof to pieces went, the bonds of life broke loose,
The mansion's nine gates closed fast for ever and aye,
Time's painful march fast gaining apace,
One by one weeping they left him as the hours passed by. I.2.10.152

Com - The roof to pieces went, the body came undone and began to separate from the soul the bonds of life broke loose, and life, which is but a patchwork of bonds and memories began to unravel. The mansion's nine gates closed fast for ever and aye, At once and all together the nine openings in the body were closed shut. Time's painful march fast gaining apace, And as the end of time approaches swiftly bringing with it much sorrow One by one weeping they left him as the hours passed by. One’s relatives and friends leave one’s side with tears and much sadness.

*The nine gates of the mansion is an oft repeated metaphor for the nine openings in the human body. The body is also referred to as the city of nine gates in many texts due to this reason. These nine openings or dwArAs are the 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 nostrils, mouth, opening in the genital organ and then the anus. The soul when leaving the body finally exists through one of these openings – this is the reason why sometimes people’s eyes bulge out or why their mouth gapes open etc at the time of death. These nine openings are very important and they are also known as the nine seats (gurusthAnA) of the guru tattvA as they are also connected to the receipt of knowledge of different kinds. This is a highly esoteric concept and the relevant details are to be learnt directly through one’s guru. It is worthy to note that these openings normally open and close while performing their duties when the body is alive. However they are finally closed tight at the time of death and the prAnA or the life force that has been kept contained within the body through a web of connected bodies/sheaths (kOshAs) leaves the body once these connections are severed. This is what is implied by the second half of the first line of the verse. As the consciousness leaves the body, all the kinsfolk can do is weep and take their leave from the dying person, powerless to affect fate. The inevitability of death and the factual reality of the body's transitoriness is brought to our attention here.

thriucchitrambalam |