The Hindu Temple v1.c8.s5.8

v1.c8.s5.8

The enclosed space is a Garbhagṛha, a house which is the womb; this is the name of the innermost sanctuary of the temple.⁷² The Garbhagṛha is the womb of the higher Self. It is said: "The initiated departs from this place, he goes into foreign land, he ascends to the space of the gods. When enclosing (the hut with mats), (door) openings are made; thus he does not (altogether) leave this place, thus he stays in this world" ('Maitr. Saṃ.', III. 6. 1), for not only to the east but at all the cardinal points, door-openings should be made (Āp. Ś.S. X. 5. 4). This is no final departure but a return to his spiritual home and origin from where the initiated comes back to the world of man. Thus are made "apertures in the four directions for the winning of both the worlds" ('Taitt. Sam.', VI 1. 1. 1). Within the hut which faces the East, the sacrificer, the embryo within the womb, also faces the East where the gods live; facing them he beholds them, he is one with them. "The hut is enclosed (on all sides by mats) for the world of the gods is divided from the world of man" (Āp. Ś.S. X. 5. 1).