The Secret of the Vilom Forest

Chapter 37 — Princess Swar Lata
Amidst the various sounds echoing through the Kingdom of Sound, a melodious and clear voice suddenly rang out.
“Enough... silence these voices now.”
In an instant, the surrounding clamor fell silent.
Sagar and Shanti looked ahead. A regal young woman was descending the palace steps towards them. Her face radiated serenity and confidence.
She smiled and said,
“I am Swar Lata, Princess of the Kingdom of Sound.”
Sagar and Shanti greeted her respectfully.
Swar Lata said,
“We had already received news of your arrival. Everyone here knows of your journey through the Forest of Opposites.”
Sagar asked,
“What were those voices calling to us from different directions just now?”
Swar Lata replied,
“They were the *Dhvani-Maya*—the sonic illusions of this kingdom. Here, sounds can mislead you. If you trust every voice, you will lose your way.”
Shanti asked,
“Then how do we recognize the true voice?”
Swar Lata smiled.
“The true voice is the one that instills trust in your heart, rather than fear.”
Then, she looked at Sagar.
“And the transformations from the Forest of Opposites are progressing within you as well. In the Kingdom of Sound, you must put not only your mind but also your very identity to the test.”
Sagar said in a firm voice,
“We are ready.”
Swar Lata gestured towards the palace gates.
“Then come. Your next test awaits you in the *Swar-Mandap*—the Hall of Sound.”
Chapter 38 — The Magic of Music
Princess Swar Lata led Sagar and Shanti into the vast musical pavilion of the Kingdom of Sound.
As soon as they stepped inside, melodious tunes began to drift in from all directions. At times, the sound of a flute would rise, then a *veena*, and at other times, the sweet, distant chiming of bells.
Swar Lata said,
“This is the magic of music. The music played in this pavilion is not merely heard with the ears, but felt with the soul.”
Sagar listened intently. Suddenly, it felt as though memories of his childhood were hidden within the music. He began to recall the old library in Delhi, his first discovery, and the journey he had undertaken with Rajesh.
Meanwhile, Shanti began to hear echoes of her own childhood and memories of her family.
Shanti closed her eyes.
“Sagar... this music is awakening our memories.”
Swar Lata said,
“That is the power of this magic. If you lose yourself in those memories, the music could imprison you within them.”
Sagar took Shanti’s hand.
“We have come here not to lose ourselves in the past, but to move forward.”
Both of them closed their eyes and calmed their minds while listening to the music.
Moments later, the music began to fade into silence.
Swar Lata smiled.
“You both have passed the first test. You listened to the music, yet you did not let it overpower you.”
Sagar asked,
“What comes next?”
Swar Lata replied,
“Now, you must confront the melody that arises from within your own selves.”
Sagar and Shanti looked at each other.
The true secret of the Kingdom of Sound was yet to be revealed
Chapter 39 — The Magic of the Seven Notes
Swar-Lata led Sagar and Shanti into a vast chamber within the *Swar-Mandap* (Hall of Melody). Seven glowing lamps burned in the center of the room.
Swar-Lata said,
“These seven lamps symbolize the seven musical notes—Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni.”
As soon as she raised her hand, distinct notes began to resonate from all seven directions.
Sa... Re... Ga... Ma... Pa... Dha... Ni...
Gradually, the notes merged to create a wondrous melody. It felt to Sagar as though the entire chamber was breathing in rhythm with the music.
Swar-Lata explained,
“The magic of the seven notes can influence a person’s mind and senses. Each note awakens a specific emotion within you.”
Upon hearing the first note, Sagar was reminded of his childhood. The second note brought back memories of his journey. With the third note, moments spent with Shanti began to surface in his mind.
Visions began to unfold before Shanti as well.
Sagar held her hand.
“Do not mistake these visions for reality. It is merely an illusion.”
Shanti nodded.
Both listened intently to the seven notes, yet instead of getting drawn into the visions, they kept their focus on the present moment.
After a while, the seven lamps flared brightly in unison, and the music fell silent.
Swar-Lata smiled.
“You have both understood the magic of the seven notes. Remember—music can show the way, but the decision must be yours alone.”
Sagar said,
“Now, tell us the path ahead.”
Swar-Lata pointed toward a new doorway opening at the back of the palace.
“The next kingdom of the *Vilom Van* (Forest of Inversion) awaits you.”
Chapter 40 — Impact on the Mind
After the enchantment of the seven notes faded, Sagar and Shanti felt as though everything had returned to a state of calm. However, moments later, both realized that a lingering effect of the music remained upon their minds.
Sagar began to hear the sounds around him with heightened clarity; even the faintest rustle seemed to reach him from a great distance.
Shanti, too, felt a strange sense of mental exhaustion within herself.
“Sagar, I feel like the effect of those notes hasn't worn off yet.”
Sagar nodded slowly.
“I feel the same way. We should remain quiet for a while.”
Princess Swar Lata observed them closely.
“The enchantment of the seven notes affects the mind more than the body. For some time, your thoughts, memories, and emotions may feel more intense than usual.”
Sagar asked,
“Is this effect permanent?”
Swar Lata replied,
“No. If you keep your mind calm, the effect will gradually subside. However, in the kingdoms ahead, you will need to exercise even greater control over your mind.”
Shanti took Sagar’s hand.
“We are together, so we’ll manage.”
Sagar smiled.
“Yes. We need to understand the enchantment of the Vilom Forest, not fear it.”
Both closed their eyes and took deep breaths for a while. Gradually, the restlessness in their minds began to fade.
Swar Lata said,
“Now, you are ready to move forward.”
Sagar and Shanti stepped toward the next gateway. They knew that the next trial of the Vilom Forest would challenge both their minds and their bodies.
Chapter 41 — The Princess's Musical Challenge
Princess Swar Lata summoned Sagar to a vast music chamber within the palace. An ancient *veena* sat in the center of the room, surrounded by symbols representing the seven musical notes.
Swar Lata said,
“Sagar, you have transcended the enchantment of the seven notes. Now, a special musical challenge awaits you.”
Sagar asked,
“What must I do?”
Swar Lata smiled and said,
“I will play a short melody. You must listen carefully and repeat it in the exact same sequence. However, the magic of this chamber will try to confuse you.”
Sagar sat down, ready for the task.
Swar Lata played a melody of the seven notes on the *veena*.
*Sa... Re... Ga... Ma... Pa... Dha... Ni...*
Then, she played the same melody in a different sequence to try and confuse Sagar.
Sagar closed his eyes and focused solely on recalling the original melody. Other sounds began to echo in his mind, but he paid them no heed.
Then, he picked up the *veena* and slowly played the melody back.
Suddenly, a brilliant light filled the room.
Swar Lata smiled.
“Correct! You identified the true melody even amidst the illusion.”
Shanti said happily,
“I knew Sagar would do it.”
Swar Lata said,
“You have not merely passed a test of music; you have proven that you can trust your own judgment even amidst confusion.”
Sagar placed the *veena* back down.
“Can we move forward now?”
Swar Lata opened the rear door of the palace.
“Yes. Your next journey can now begin.”
Sagar and Shanti looked at each other and stepped forward onto the new path.
Chapter 42 — A Change in Voice
After completing the musical challenge, Sagar and Shanti began to leave the palace. Just then, Sagar opened his mouth to say something to Shanti.
“Shanti, we should now move ahead...”
But Sagar stopped abruptly upon hearing his own voice.
His voice was no longer the same; it had acquired a subtle, feminine softness.
Sagar asked in surprise,
“Shanti... has my voice changed?”
Shanti listened carefully and nodded.
“Yes. Your voice sounds quite different from before.”
Sagar spoke again to test it. Once more, his voice emerged with that same altered tone.
Princess Swar-Lata approached them and said,
“This is the effect of the realm of sound. The magic of the seven musical notes has left its mark on your voice as well.”
Sagar asked anxiously,
“Is this change permanent?”
Swar-Lata replied,
“It is hard to say right now. The transformations in the Vilom Forest tend to intensify gradually. But remember—a change in voice does not alter your identity or your decisions.”
Shanti smiled and said,
“No matter what your voice sounds like, to me, you are still the same Sagar.”
Sagar smiled back.
“And you are still the same Shanti.”
The two of them began to move forward.
Sagar now realized that the influence of the Vilom Forest was becoming clearly visible not only on his body but also on his voice.
Chapter 43 — The Kingdom of Nayanvarta
After bidding farewell to the Kingdom of Dhwani, Sagar and Shanti set out on the next leg of their journey. The forest path gradually began to change; a blue light appeared amidst the trees, and a faint shimmer seemed to float in the air.
After walking for quite some time, they arrived before a massive stone gateway.
Inscribed upon the gate were the words—
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Nayanvarta.”
Sagar remarked in astonishment,
“This kingdom looks completely different from the others.”
Shanti, looking around, said,
“Yes. It seems as though everything here is connected to the act of seeing and being seen.”
Just then, a messenger approached them from the direction of the palace.
“The Princess is awaiting your arrival. Please come with us.”
Sagar and Shanti followed him toward the palace.
Along the path to the palace, they saw numerous giant mirrors. Yet, their reflections in these mirrors appeared different each time.
Sagar spoke in a voice that had shifted in tone,
“Some new illusion from the Forest of Inversions awaits us here as well.”
Shanti took his hand.
“Then we shall face it together, just as before.”
The main gates of the palace swung open.
From within, a majestic voice rang out—
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Nayanvarta, Sagar and Shanti.”
The two exchanged glances.
They knew that their next trial was about to begin.
Chapter 44 — Princess Nayana
The massive gates of the royal palace of Nayanvarta swung open. A regal young woman stood before them; her eyes held an extraordinary gleam, and her face radiated a profound serenity.
Stepping forward, she spoke:
“I am Princess Nayana of the kingdom of Nayanvarta. You are both welcome in our realm.”
Sagar and Shanti greeted her respectfully.
Nayana’s gaze lingered on Sagar for a moment. Then, she said:
“The influence of the Vilom Forest has become quite evident upon you now.”
Sagar asked:
“How do you know that?”
Nayana pointed toward a large mirror standing before them.
“In Nayanvarta, eyes do not merely see what lies ahead. Here, mirrors also reveal the changes occurring within a person.”
Sagar and Shanti looked at the mirror.
This time, Sagar’s reflection appeared slightly more feminine than before, while Shanti’s reflection appeared more masculine.
Shanti asked earnestly:
“Will these changes continue to progress?”
Nayana replied:
“The influence of the Vilom Forest advances at its own pace. However, your test here will be less about the physical body and more about perception and the ability to discern the truth.”
Sagar asked:
“What must we do?”
Nayana smiled.
“In the kingdom of Nayanvarta, you must learn to distinguish between what is visible and what is truly real.”
Nayana pointed toward a glowing doorway inside the palace.
“Come. Your first test begins there.”
Sagar and Shanti followed her. They knew that their journey in the kingdom of Nayanvarta had brought a new challenge.
Chapter 45 — The Magic of the Eyes
Princess Nayana led Sagar and Shanti into a vast chamber within the kingdom of Nayanvarta. Countless mirrors lined the walls, and a circular platform stood in the center.
Nayana said,
“The greatest power of Nayanvarta is the magic of the eyes. Here, one’s gaze does not merely see objects; it can also influence the illusion hidden behind them.”
Sagar asked,
“What must we do?”
Nayana replied,
“The two of you must stand and look into each other's eyes for a few moments without wavering. During this time, you will witness various illusions.”
Sagar and Shanti stood facing each other.
As soon as they locked eyes, the walls of the chamber began to shift. At times, they saw a dense forest; at others, the library in Delhi; or sometimes, their path appeared to lead in a completely different direction.
Sagar tried to close his eyes, but Nayana said,
“Do not flee from your vision. Recognize what you see, and then determine whether it is truth or illusion.”
Sagar looked into Shanti’s eyes once more.
Shanti said,
“Sagar, whatever we see, let us place our trust in each other.”
Gradually, the illusions began to fade.
A few moments later, the chamber returned to normal.
Nayana smiled.
“You have both passed the first test. The magic of the eyes can confuse you, but if your trust is strong, illusion cannot control you.”
Sagar breathed a sigh of relief.
But Nayana said in a serious tone,
“Remember—this was only the beginning. In the next test of Nayanvarta, your own eyes will present the greatest mystery of all.”