The Secret of the Vilom Forest

Chapter 46 — The Test Begins
Princess Nayana raised her hand. The entire chamber fell silent instantly. All the mirrors lining the walls began to glow in unison.
“Sagar and Shanti,” Nayana said, “the true test of Nayanvarta begins now.”
The two of them stood in the center of the circular platform.
Suddenly, a mist swirled around them. Through the haze, multiple paths appeared before their eyes. Each path seemed entirely real, yet only one was the correct one.
Nayana’s voice echoed all around—
“Remember, do not instantly believe what your eyes show you. In this test, you must distinguish between truth and illusion.”
Sagar looked around carefully.
On one path, he saw the old library of Delhi. Another path revealed the forests of Assam. A third path showed him his past life.
Shanti spoke softly,
“Sagar, none of these paths seem real.”
Sagar nodded.
“We must identify the thing that *Maya*—illusion—cannot alter.”
The two of them clasped each other’s hands.
Suddenly, a fourth path appeared before them—one that had not been there moments ago.
Nayana’s voice was heard once more—
“This is the first question of your test. Can you choose the path that your wisdom—not your eyes—identifies as the right one?”
Sagar and Shanti stepped toward that mysterious path.
The test had truly begun.
Chapter 47 — The Second Test Begins
By choosing the right path, Sagar and Shanti had successfully completed the first test of Nayanvart.
Princess Nayana appeared before them and said with a smile,
“Amidst the illusion, both of you recognized the truth. You have succeeded in the first test.”
Sagar breathed a sigh of relief.
But Nayana immediately raised her hand. The entire chamber began to glow once more.
“Now, the second test begins.”
Suddenly, various reflections of Sagar and Shanti began to appear in all the mirrors surrounding them. In some mirrors, Sagar appeared as he was, while in others, his form seemed to be changing. Shanti, too, appeared in various guises.
Nayana said,
“This time, you must identify your true self amidst your own reflections.”
Sagar asked,
“If all the reflections are different, then which one is the real one?”
Nayana replied,
“What is visible on the outside does not always define your true identity.”
Shanti looked at Sagar.
“We must define ourselves not by our outward appearance, but by our decisions.”
Sagar nodded.
Just then, a voice emerged from one of the mirrors—
“Sagar... come to me.”
Another voice came from a different mirror—
“Shanti... this is your true form.”
Both of them closed their eyes and did not follow any of the voices.
Sagar said,
“We will not let a mirror define our identity.”
Suddenly, the brilliance of all the mirrors intensified.
Nayana said,
“Excellent. Now, let us see how you navigate the final stage of this test.”
The second test had entered its most difficult phase.
Chapter 48 — A Difficult Recognition
As the final stage of the second test began, the entire chamber filled with mirrors. Each mirror displayed a different version of Sagar and Shanti.
In some mirrors, Sagar appeared exactly as he was before, while in others, the changes his body had undergone were clearly visible. Shanti’s appearance, too, varied across the different mirrors.
It became incredibly difficult for both of them to determine which reflection was the true one.
Sagar examined each mirror carefully.
“They all look alike...”
Shanti, too, looked at several mirrors.
“We won’t be able to recognize each other just by our faces.”
Just then, Sagar recalled something from the *Van Parva*—*Maya* (illusion) always shows what the mind desires to see.
Sagar closed his eyes and stopped looking at the mirrors.
“Shanti, recognize who I am not with your eyes, but with your mind.”
Shanti closed her eyes as well.
After a few moments of silence, she reached out toward one of the mirrors.
“This is the one.”
Sagar looked at her.
“How did you know?”
Shanti smiled.
“Because all the other reflections were confusing me. But looking at this reflection, I felt the same sense of trust I feel when standing beside you.”
The mirror suddenly glowed brightly, and all the other reflections vanished.
Princess Nayana appeared before them.
“You have passed a very difficult test. You chose recognition and trust over mere appearance.”
Sagar and Shanti breathed a sigh of relief.
The second test of Nayanvarta was now complete.
Chapter 49 — Changes in Facial Features
After the second trial of Nayanvarta concluded, Sagar and Shanti sat for a while in a quiet chamber of the palace. Just then, Sagar touched his face and sensed a new change.
The shape of his eyes had altered slightly, and a softness had settled over his features. The contours of his face were also gradually taking on a more feminine appearance.
Sagar looked at his reflection in the mirror.
“Shanti... my face is changing too.”
Shanti observed him closely and said,
“Yes. But remember, you are still the same Sagar.”
Princess Nayana spoke up,
“The influence of Nayanvarta is not limited to the eyes alone. Your facial features are also gradually transforming. This is the next stage of the power of Vilom Van.”
Sagar asked seriously,
“Will these changes intensify further?”
Nayana replied,
“It is possible. But your identity is not defined solely by your face.”
Sagar looked at Shanti and smiled.
“Then, no matter how much my appearance changes, I will continue my journey.”
The two of them prepared to set out for the next kingdom.
Chapter 50 — Entering the Kingdom of Vastramool
After bidding farewell to Nayanvart, Sagar and Shanti proceeded along a path through the dense forest. After traveling for several hours, a massive, colorful gateway came into view amidst the trees.
Inscribed in golden letters above the gateway were the words—
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Vastramool.”
Shanti asked in surprise,
“Vastramool... this name, too, is completely different from the other kingdoms.”
Sagar remarked,
“Every kingdom in Vilom Van harbors a secret of its own.”
As soon as they crossed the gateway, they saw that the entire kingdom was adorned with various types of traditional textiles. Beautiful fabrics and embroidered curtains draped the palace walls.
Just then, a royal attendant approached them from the palace.
“Sagar and Shanti, the Princess is awaiting your arrival.”
Sagar glanced at Shanti; the changes in her face and voice were now more apparent than ever.
The two followed the attendant toward the palace.
Upon reaching the main palace entrance, a voice resonated—
“Welcome to the Kingdom of Vastramool.”
The gates slowly swung open.
Sagar and Shanti stepped inside.
Little did they know that within the Kingdom of Vastramool, Vilom Van was about to unveil a new secret concerning their appearance and attire.
Chapter 51 — Princess Vastra
The massive gates of the Vastramul palace swung open. A regal young woman stepped out; she was dressed in beautiful traditional attire and held an old, intricately embroidered garment in her hands.
Smiling, she said,
“I am Princess Vastra. Welcome to the kingdom of Vastramul, Sagar and Shanti.”
Sagar and Shanti greeted her in return.
Vastra studied Sagar closely. Observing the altered features of his face and his feminine voice, she realized that the influence of the Vilom Forest was steadily growing within him.
“The transformation within you has progressed significantly,” Vastra remarked.
Sagar asked,
“Is there a test in this kingdom as well?”
Vastra held up the old garment she was carrying.
“Yes. The test here is linked to garments and identity.”
Shanti asked,
“Are the garments, too, a part of this forest’s illusion?”
Vastra spoke seriously,
“In the Vilom Forest, garments do more than just cover the body. Here, they can alter a person's outward appearance, compelling them to question the true nature of their identity.”
Sagar said in a calm voice,
“My appearance may change, but my decisions remain my own.”
Princess Vastra smiled.
“That very realization will serve you well in this kingdom's first test.”
She gestured toward a vast chamber inside the palace.
“Come. The test of Vastramul begins now.”
Chapter 51 — Princess Vastra
The massive gates of the Vastramul palace swung open. A regal young woman stepped out; she was dressed in beautiful traditional attire and held an old, intricately embroidered garment in her hands.
Smiling, she said,
“I am Princess Vastra. Welcome to the kingdom of Vastramul, Sagar and Shanti.”
Sagar and Shanti greeted her in return.
Vastra studied Sagar closely. Observing the altered features of his face and his feminine voice, she realized that the influence of the Vilom Forest was steadily growing within him.
“The transformation within you has progressed significantly,” Vastra remarked.
Sagar asked,
“Is there a test in this kingdom as well?”
Vastra held up the old garment she was carrying.
“Yes. The test here is linked to garments and identity.”
Shanti asked,
“Are the garments, too, a part of this forest’s illusion?”
Vastra spoke seriously,
“In the Vilom Forest, garments do more than just cover the body. Here, they can alter a person's outward appearance, compelling them to question the true nature of their identity.”
Sagar said in a calm voice,
“My appearance may change, but my decisions remain my own.”
Princess Vastra smiled.
“That very realization will serve you well in this kingdom's first test.”
She gestured toward a vast chamber inside the palace.
“Come. The test of Vastramul begins now.”
Chapter 52 — The First Test of Vastramul
Princess Vastra led Sagar and Shanti into a vast chamber within the palace. Garments of various colors and designs were displayed all around.
Vastra said,
“This is the first test of the kingdom of Vastramul. Here, you will see garments that present you in different guises.”
Sagar looked at the mirrors placed before him. His reflection appeared slightly different in each one.
Vastra explained,
“Remember—garments can alter one's outward appearance, but they do not define your true identity.”
Suddenly, a garment rose into the air on its own and drifted in front of Sagar. It appeared quite ordinary, yet as he approached it, his reflection in the mirror shifted once more.
Shanti said,
“Sagar, be careful. This, too, could be an illusion.”
Sagar paused for a moment and stepped back without touching the garment.
“First, I must understand what the test requires of me.”
Vastra smiled.
“Excellent. In this first test, you must not make hasty decisions under the influence of illusion; instead, you must choose thoughtfully.”
Sagar began to observe the mirrors, the colors, and the symbols surrounding them with great care.
After a while, he spotted a small mark that was not present on any of the other garments.
“This is the one,” Sagar said.
Vastra nodded.
“Correct. You have cleared the first stage of the test.”
But just then, several new garments began to rise into the air from the far end of the chamber.
Vastra said,
“Now, the next stage of the test begins.”
Chapter 53 — A New Appearance
During the trial of the *Vastramool*, all the garments in the room suddenly began to glow. A soft golden light spread all around Sagar.
As soon as Sagar looked into the mirror placed before him, he fell silent for a moment.
His reflection looked vastly different from before. With altered facial features, a soft complexion, and long hair, he appeared as a beautiful woman.
Sagar exclaimed in astonishment,
“Is this... my appearance?”
Shanti studied the mirror closely.
“Yes, but remember—this could also be an illusion created by the *Vilom* Forest.”
Princess Vastra explained,
“In the *Vastramool*, garments reveal a person's outward appearance based on their potential path. However, the image seen in the mirror does not define your entire identity.”
Sagar gazed at his reflection for a while. Then, he spoke in a calm voice,
“My appearance may change, but I will make my own decisions.”
Vastra smiled.
“That is precisely the purpose of this trial—not to be unsettled by a changing appearance, nor to mistake it for your true identity.”
Shanti took Sagar’s hand.
“Come, let us face the next trial.”
Sagar nodded.
The illusion of the *Vastramool* had now brought his transformed appearance into even sharper focus.
Chapter 54 — Many Forms in the Mirrors
In the vast chamber of Vastramool, Sagar slowly moved from one mirror to the next. In each mirror, a different female form of himself was visible.
In the first mirror, he appeared as an ordinary village girl—simple attire, a guileless face, and a serene expression.
In the second mirror, his form appeared somewhat more substantial, as if envisioning a different life altogether.
In the third mirror, he appeared as a beautiful, elegantly adorned young woman.
In the fourth mirror, Sagar saw himself as a tribal maiden, her clothing and ornaments reflecting the traditions of the Vilom Forest.
In the fifth mirror, he appeared as a princess—clad in royal robes, wearing a crown, and exuding a dignified presence.
Sagar was astonished.
“So many forms... which one of these is my true self?”
Shanti approached him and said,
“Perhaps this is the test. All these forms are drawing you towards them, yet none of them constitutes your complete identity.”
Princess Vastra said,
“Exactly. These mirrors are showing you various possibilities. One form might captivate you, another might make you uncomfortable, but you must decide on what basis you define yourself.”
Sagar looked at all the mirrors once more.
Then he said,
“I will not run away from these forms. But neither will I accept any single mirror as my absolute truth.”
Vastra smiled.
“Now you are beginning to understand the true test of Vastramool.”
Just then, all the mirrors flashed simultaneously, and a new doorway appeared in the center of the chamber.
The next stage of the test lay ahead.