In the Vedas, the human body is described as a city of many
doors. We only live in this city with many doors for a short period. The human
body is the temple of God and the soul resides in it only temporarily. As the
span of life is so short, we need to gain maximum benefit from these few years
God has allotted us.
Nine Doors in the Human Body
There are nine doors in the body. These doors are the two
eyes, two nostrils, two ears and the mouth. Seven out of the nine doors are
present in the face, the other two doors are the genital organs and the anus.
Five Organs of Perception and Five Organs of Action
The five organs of perception are: they eyes to see, the ears to hear, the nose to smell, the tongue to taste and the skin to feel and touch.
The five organs of action are: a mouth to speak, hands to work,
feet to walk, the genital organs to procreate and the anus to excrete waste
matter.
The elements in the body vibrate in two different ways and
have two specific functions. Space is active in the ears in order to hear and
in the throat to produce sound. Air is active in the skin to enable us to feel
when we touch and in the hands to increase our sensitivity for our work skills.
Fire is active in the eyes to allow us to see and in the feet to walk. Water is
active in the mouth to enhance the taste buds and in the genitals. Earth is
active in the nose to empower us to smell and in the anus.
When the organs of perception and action come in contact
with external objects, we perceive the opposites of heat and cold, unhappiness and
happiness, pleasure and pain. Since the human body is prone to disease and
deterioration, it is imperative that we take good care of the gross body.
Source - Book titled - The Universe Within By Paramahamsa Prajnanananda (page 16 - 17)