The air around the Nageshwar Temple was alive with the hum of prayer. Its towering spire pierced the morning sky, casting a long shadow over the vast expanse of King Ambarisha's domain. As he approached the sacred temple, his mind, though serene, was a whirlpool of thoughts—questions about his kingdom's future, his subjects' welfare, and the eternal quest for divine grace.
Stepping through the grand entrance, he let his gaze wander over the intricate carvings of Lord Shiva, each one more divine than the last. The familiar scent of incense and sandalwood filled his senses, grounding him in the present, as he prepared for his spiritual journey.
Ambarisha had always been a king of unparalleled virtue, known far and wide for his commitment to justice. Under his rule, dharma was upheld in every corner of his kingdom, and his devotion to both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva had earned him the respect of not only his people but also the gods themselves. Yet, for all his achievements, there was always a thirst for deeper knowledge. Today, at this hallowed temple, his curiosity would be both his guide and his test.
He moved forward, into the familiar halls where he had often prayed for guidance, the soft echoes of his footsteps lost in the stillness. His regal posture belied the subtle unease curling in his chest. Something about today feels... different, he mused as he passed a row of flickering lamps, their light casting long, dancing shadows along the temple walls.
It wasn't until he reached the rear of the main hall, where the inner sanctum lay, that something caught his attention. There, behind the altar, was a door—hidden, barely noticeable in the dim light. A golden door. His heart skipped a beat. He had visited this temple many times over the years but had never seen this door before.
"How curious," he murmured to himself, eyes narrowing. His warrior instincts kicked in, urging caution, yet curiosity tugged at him with even greater force. He approached the door, running his fingers over its smooth surface, the cold metal humming under his touch as if alive with latent power.
With a deep breath, Ambarisha pushed against the heavy door. For a moment, it resisted, groaning under the pressure, before it gave way with a dull creak. As it opened, a gust of cool air rushed out, laced with the scent of sandalwood and jasmine—a fragrance so pure, it felt as though the gods themselves had blessed this space.
"What could this be?" he wondered aloud, his voice echoing faintly as he stepped inside.
The chamber was unlike anything he had ever seen. Light—soft, ethereal, and almost divine—glowed from within the stone walls, casting the room in a serene, otherworldly glow. The soft trickle of water echoed from the far corners, symmetrical hall with a mystical, spiritual ambiance. The rows of large Buddha statues along both sides of a stone pathway, each facing slightly inward, creating a symmetrical balance. The statues, crafted with intricate details, display calm expressions and traditional attire. At the entrance of the path, a larger Buddha face, radiating tranquility, is illuminated by a soft, glowing light coming from an opening above it. The stone path, lined with carved platforms, appears to be partially submerged in water, creating reflections of the statues
The stillness of the place was palpable. It felt untouched, sacred, as though time itself had chosen to pass this place by.
"Is this... a forgotten temple?" he muttered under his breath. As a ruler, Ambarisha had seen countless sanctuaries in his lifetime, but this chamber radiated a purity he had never felt before. He approached the Buddha, noting the series of intricately carved stone doors surrounding the statue, each exuding a quiet, intimidating power. One door, in particular, stood ajar,
casting a warm, inviting glow across the cool stone floors.
Curiosity pulled him forward, though his instincts screamed caution. He approached the door cautiously, his heart racing faster with each step. The sensation of being watched crept over him, though there was no one else in sight. He took a deep breath and peered inside.
A set of stairs spiraled downward, disappearing into a pool of shadow.
Ambarisha paused, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling. There was something dangerous here—he could feel it. But there was also an undeniable pull, a whisper in his mind telling him to press on. Only one way to go.
"What secrets lie in wait for me here?" His voice echoed faintly as he cautiously began his descent into the unknown.
With each step, the air grew cooler, the light dimmer. The stairs seemed endless, spiraling deeper into the earth, until finally, the ground leveled out, and before him stood seven massive doors, aligned perfectly in a straight line. They loomed above him like ancient sentinels, imposing and silent.
The craftsmanship of the doors was unlike anything he had ever seen—each one adorned with intricate carvings, symbols, and ancient scripts. The air around them buzzed with a strange energy, thick with both danger and promise.
Ambarisha approached the fourth door, drawn to it by an inexplicable force. His fingers traced the symbols carved into the stone, and as he did, a strange warmth flooded through him. He stepped back, glancing around the chamber.
It was then that his eyes fell upon a nearby rock, half-buried beneath layers of dust and debris. Something was etched onto its surface. He wiped it clean, revealing an ancient inscription.
The story of Ravana and Himavat, he realized, his heart quickening as he read the words. The tale of demon kings and divine blessings, of mystical doors and impossible quests. It was the tale of those who had come before him—those who had sought the same secrets he now sought. And now, it seemed, it was his turn.
His jaw clenched in determination. "This is my destiny," he whispered, a fierce resolve sparking in his eyes. He turned back to the doors, eyes fixed on the fourth. "I will see this through."
He had no idea how long he stood there, staring at the door. Time seemed irrelevant in this place, suspended between the ancient past and the uncertain future. Finally, with renewed determination, he dropped to his knees before the door.
For 1,024 years, he dedicated himself to prayer and penance, offering his devotion to Lord Vishnu. Though years passed, his faith never wavered. His heart remained steadfast in its desire to unlock the door and discover the divine secrets within.
And then, one fateful day, his prayers were answered.
The air in the chamber grew warm, the soft glow of the walls intensifying until the entire room was bathed in golden light. Ambarisha looked up, heart pounding in anticipation, as the figure of Lord Vishnu materialized before him, radiating divine energy.
"King Ambarisha," Lord Vishnu's voice was like thunder, reverberating through the chamber. "Your devotion has pleased me. What boon do you desire?"
Ambarisha, overcome with emotion, bowed deeply before the god. "O Lord Vishnu," he began, voice trembling, "I wish for whoever first enters this door to receive the power of creation and destruction. Additionally, I seek a safeguard for this door, akin to the one possessed by Ravana."
Lord Vishnu regarded him for a moment, then nodded. "Very well, Tathastu."
With a wave of his hand, a brilliant peacock feather materialized, shimmering in the soft light. "This is no ordinary key," Vishnu explained. "This feather must be placed into the door's corresponding feather-shaped indentation. Only then will the door unlock."
Ambarisha took the feather reverently, his heart pounding as Lord Vishnu continued. "There are seven feathers, scattered across the world. Only the chosen ones will find them, and only the worthy can open the door."
"And I am the first?" Ambarisha asked, his voice low.
"Indeed," Vishnu confirmed.
King Ambarisha's heart swelled with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Vishnu."
Suddenly, Lord Vishnu appeared in his half Virat Roop. King Ambarisha, overwhelmed and in tears, realized his dream had come true.
"However, this place and its door have the potential to become exceedingly dangerous if the power falls into the wrong hands,"
Lord Vishnu continued solemnly. "True devotees can be anyone, and we cannot prevent them from entering here. Therefore, I am bestowing a curse: anyone who places treasure here or engages in penance at this door will forget everything if they attempt to reveal this secret. This curse will apply to anyone who has, currently possesses, or will place treasure here. Additionally, I have decreed that the all chosen individuals capable of opening this door will be born in the 18th century. Until then, the door shall remain sealed. In the 18th century, the entrance can be opened only with this mantra."
ओम् सर्वदेवताभ्यः नमः, गुह्यद्वारं प्रकटयन्तु देवाः सर्वसमर्थाः
Om Sarvadevatābhyaḥ Namaḥ, Guhyadvāraṃ Prakaṭayantu Devāḥ Sarvasamarthāḥ
Translation:
"Om, salutations to all the deities. May the hidden door be revealed by the all-powerful gods."
Before King Ambarisha could respond, Lord Vishnu vanished. leaving King Ambarisha alone with the mystical door and the peacock feather key. Determined, Ambarisha vowed to protect the door and its secrets, knowing that only the worthy would unlock its true potential.
King Ambarisha emerged from the temple, visibly shaken and utterly perplexed. Returning to his kingdom, he felt truly blessed and was eager to share his experience with his wife. However, he remembered Lord Vishnu's curse and restrained himself.
Days passed, but one day, overwhelmed with excitement, King Ambarisha approached his wife to reveal the secret.
As he began to speak, he instantly forgot everything about Nageshvara, the Nageshwar Temple, and all the doors. His wife, puzzled, asked, "What are you trying to tell me?"
"I don't remember what I wanted to say," King Ambarisha replied, his heart heavy with the weight of forgotten knowledge.
His wife responded gently, "Alright, when you remember, let me know."
From that moment on, King Ambarisha never recalled the secret again, and it remained forever hidden. The doors, from this one onward, would be destined for chosen individuals born in the 18th century, as decreed by Lord Vishnu.