The Saga of Aghori Kaaldristi and King Harshvardhan(part-5)
The Penance on Mount Kailash:-
On the treacherous slopes of Mount Kailash, atop a desolate peak, sat an Aghori named Kaaldristi. He wore not a single piece of clothing, braving the biting frost with nothing but the divine name of Shiva on his lips. As he chanted "Om Namah Shivaya" with absolute devotion, snow fell from a silver-blue sky, blanketing the world in a shroud of white.
Suddenly, a blinding light pierced the mist. From the radiance, a divine voice echoed: "Son Kaaldristi, open your eyes. Tell me, what is it that you seek?"
Kaaldristi opened his eyes and whispered, "O Lord Shiva, my only wish was to behold you. Now that I have seen you, I can depart from this world in peace."
Lord Shiva replied, "Do not speak of death. I shall not let any harm befall you. Ask for a boon."
Kaaldristi bowed deeply and said, "Lord, if I must receive a boon, then grant me the power to see the true faces of all humans. Let me know who lies and who speaks the truth, who is righteous and who is evil. Let me read the thoughts hidden within their hearts."
The Divine Lesson:-
Lord Shiva smiled and said, "So be it! But remember, I have created all humans as equals. In any conflict, the one you stand by will call you 'good,' while the opponent will brand you 'evil.' Where there is light, there is also darkness; where there are demons (Rakshasas), there is also God. Your path must always be guided by truth and righteousness."
Kaaldristi felt his consciousness expand. "Lord, you have opened my eyes today. I am blessed that you gave a humble soul like me your darshan and showed me the path of truth."
Shiva gave him one final command: "Go now to Aryavarta. Meet King Harshvardhan and give him your blessings. Witness for yourself the nature of a truly noble soul—and put him to the test." With those words, Mahadev vanished.
The Trial of the King
Chanting "Shiva-Shiva," Kaaldristi arrived in Aryavarta disguised as a humble beggar. When Queen Vasundhara saw him at the palace gates, she said, "Mahatma, you look brave and radiant. Why do you beg for alms? Come, be our guest and partake in a royal feast."
Kaaldristi feigned sadness and replied, "I had heard King Harshvardhan was illustrious and generous, but I do not feel his greatness here. I shall leave this place."
Hearing this, King Harshvardhan stepped forward. "Mahatma, please stay and eat. Whatever alms you desire, I shall grant them."
The Aghori countered, "Rajan, you cannot give what I seek. You cannot satisfy my hunger with mere food, nor can you sway me with hospitality."
The King replied firmly, "It is not so, Mahatma. If you seek vision, I shall give you my very eyes."
The Aghori said harshly, "King, I do not want eyes that have witnessed sin. I do not want eyes that have gazed upon a woman with lust or a heart that has harbored foul thoughts."
Harshvardhan declared with unwavering pride, "I am Harshvardhan, King of Aryavarta. If I have ever looked at another woman with ill intent, or committed a sin against my people, let my kingdom crumble this instant!"
As he spoke, dark clouds swirled in the sky. From the thunder, a divine voice boomed: "O King, you are pure in body, mind, and heart. You have always walked the path of truth."
To prove his selflessness, the King unsheathed his royal dagger and, without a moment's hesitation, plucked out his own eyes to offer them. The Aghori broke into a thunderous, joyful laugh. "King, you have succeeded! Your dedication is beyond compare. Ask now, what do you desire?"
The King replied softly, "I want nothing for myself. I only seek the peace, prosperity, and protection of my people."
Deeply moved, Kaaldristi used his yogic powers to restore the King's sight. He blessed the land, decreeing that as long as a ruler like Harshvardhan sat on the throne, no enemy could ever conquer Aryavarta. "You could have asked for anything for yourself," the Aghori remarked, "yet you asked for your subjects. I am truly pleased with you."
The Warning of Prince Bhadra
That evening, while the kingdom celebrated, the palace remained heavy with an unspoken tension. Queen Vasundhara asked the King, "Was that Aghori truly a divine being?"
The King replied, "A great man is one connected to the Divine, far above worldly illusions. He tested me and then healed me; surely, he was a great Mahatma."
Later, as the Queen was putting young Prince Bhadra to sleep, the child spoke with a wisdom far beyond his years. "Mother, tell Father to be ready. Something unimaginable is coming. Tell him to gather the army and seek Acharya Yogmaya in the Aravalli Mountains."
The Queen rushed to the King in a panic. "Maharaj, I am frightened. Prince Bhadra warns of a great peril." The King looked at her gravely and said, "I, too, feel an omen of danger lurking."
The Queen continued, "Bhadra said you must find the ascetic Yogmaya in the caves of the Aravallis for a solution."
The Journey Begins:-
The next morning, as the first rays of the sun touched the palace spires, King Harshvardhan announced his decision. He addressed the court: "My younger brother, Prince Aryabhat, shall govern the kingdom for one month. I am departing for the Aravalli Mountains."
The Royal Priest (Rajpurohit) worried about potential invasions in the King's absence, but Harshvardhan reassured him, "Do not fear. My brother is a skilled warrior; he will guard our borders well."
Turning to his General, the King commanded: "Senapati, prepare a thousand of our finest soldiers. Pack sufficient provisions and ensure every man is armed to the teeth. We march today!"
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To Be Continues.....