Chapter 5: Battle of Srisailam

Dhruva: The Warrior of the North Pole StarThe First Hero of DharmicverseChapter 5: Battle of Srisailam 

Scene opens: Chintalaplli-Malikipuram road turning ,near the lake at the Bhargava's house. Bhargava was on the rooftop of his house, his gaze fixed on Lakshmi's house. He observed her family making preparations to leave.

Bhargava: Damn those fools!

Suddenly, a swirling portal ripped open in the air directly behind him. Bhargava spun around, stunned, and saw Kmk step out.

Bhargava: Kmk? How... can you do that?Kmk: (A hint of triumph in his voice) Don't you get it, Bhargava? I unlocked a new ability!

Bhargava: How were you able to do that? Just two days ago, you were saying you didn't know how!

Kmk: That's a...

Flashback:At Kmk's house, inside his room.Kmk: (Concentrating) Okay, portal to my house rooftop!

He focused his energy, and a shimmering portal opened before him. He stepped into it confidently, only to plummet from mid-air with a surprised yelp.

Scene shifts: The next time he tried.Kmk: (Determined) Okay, I will get it right this time!He entered the portal, but instead of his rooftop, he found himself in his neighbor's kitchen. His aunt was cooking, and upon seeing him materialize in her kitchen, she instinctively hurled a hot pan at his face.Kmk: (Ducking) Sorry, Aunty! Sorry!Flashback ended.

Kmk: (To Bhargava) Yes, it was a hard thing to learn at first. But with training... yes, I did train myself again and again, and finally, I am fully able to use this now!

Bhargava: (Impressed) That's so cool, Kmk!Just then, Kmk's eyes landed on Lakshmi and her family, including her boyfriend, as they finalized their preparations.

Kmk: What's happening here? Are they leaving the village or what?Bhargava: No, they're not leaving. They're going to Srisailam.Kmk froze, his expression shifting to disbelief.

Kmk: What? Srisailam?Scene shifts: Srisailam. The majestic temple of Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy came into view, followed by the nearby Sree Shivaji Spoorthy Kendram (Temple & Museum of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). The air hummed with a sacred energy as the chanting filled the background:oṃ namaste astu bhagavanviśrveśrvarāya mahādevāyatryambakāya tripurāntakāyatrikāgnikālāyakālāgnirudrāya nīlakaṇṭhāya mṛtyuṃjayāyasarveśrvarāya sadāśivāyaśrīman mahādevāya namaḥ

Scene shifts back to Kmk and Bhargava.Kmk: Good for them!Bhargava: Do you know about Srisailam?Kmk: (A knowing look) Of course, I do! Anyone in Andhra and India knows about it!

 * Jyotirlinga Connection: Srisailam is home to Mallikarjuna, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. According to legend, Lord Shiva appeared here as Mallikarjuna Swamy to pacify his son Kartikeya, who had gone to this hill in anger. This Jyotirlinga is one of the very few where Lord Shiva (Mallikarjuna) and Goddess Parvati (Bhramaramba) are worshipped together in the same complex.

 * Shakti Peetha: The temple is also one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. Goddess Parvati is worshipped here as Bhramaramba Devi. So, Srisailam is both a Jyotirlinga (Shiva) and a Shakti Peetha (Parvati)—a rare and powerful spiritual combination.

 * Sacred Hill of Srisaila: "Srisaila" means “auspicious mountain.” It is believed that lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati reside here eternally. The mountain itself is considered a living form of divinity in Shaivism.

 * Historical Devotion: The Srisailam temple complex has seen contributions from various dynasties over centuries, including the Satavahanas, Vijayanagara Empire, and the Reddy Kingdoms, highlighting its connection to this sacred place. Many saints and kings—like Adi Shankaracharya, Krishnadevaraya, and the Chalukyas—have worshipped at this temple. The temple is a major pilgrimage destination, especially during Maha Shivaratri.

Bhargava: Wow, Kmk, you remember a lot of things, bro! But do you know Srisailam is also connected to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?Kmk: (Nodding) Of course, I do! Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, during his southern campaign (after conquering parts of Karnataka and reaching the borders of the Golconda Sultanate), visited the Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple at Srisailam.

He offered prayers and donations, including gold and ornaments, to the temple. This visit is recorded in temple inscriptions, and some traditions say he also helped renovate parts of the temple or its gopuram.

Srisailam, located in the Nallamala hills, was both a sacred Shaivite pilgrimage site and strategically important due to its location in a forested, mountainous region—ideal for guerrilla-style operations.

Shivaji Maharaj, being a devout Hindu and devotee of Lord Shiva and Bhavani, respected major pilgrimage sites and supported them during his campaigns. And according to some sources, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj performed prayers to Goddess Bhramarambika Devi, and Goddess Bhramarambika Devi appeared and blessed him with a sword there! There is also a Temple & Museum of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj called Sree Shivaji Spoorthy Kendram, and there is a life-sized statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj there!

Bhargava: Wow, Kmk, you remember a lot of things, bro!Kmk: (Shrugging) Yes, I do. But you can find more about it on your phone. The thing is, I remembered it!

Kmk then saw Lakshmi and her boyfriend and family finally leaving. He pointed a finger at her boyfriend.Kmk: You! I won't...Bhargava: (Confused) Bro, Kmk, are you sad about...?Kmk: (Cutting him off sharply) What? Why would I be? I am the dharmic warrior, the chosen one! And he is just nobody! What is there to compare? A lion with an ant! Like him!Lakshmi's boyfriend glanced towards Bhargava and Kmk, a puzzled look on his face.

Lakshmi's Boyfriend: Are you both talking about me?Kmk turned his face away dismissively.Bhargava: (Nervously) Nothing, it's just your dress... it's nice.Kmk turned back, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Kmk: Okay, so his dress is nice, ha? So why not make it more beautiful?Kmk pointed his finger at Lakshmi's boyfriend, and suddenly, flames erupted on his clothes. Lakshmi and her parents gasped in shock and quickly rushed towards him. Lakshmi's boyfriend frantically started removing his burning clothes.

Bhargava and Kmk, watching the scene unfold from the rooftop, exchanged bewildered glances.Bhargava: Bro, Kmk!Kmk: (Innocently) What? Don't you think it's beautiful now?Bhargava turned his face towards Lakshmi's boyfriend, who had by this point stripped off all his clothes, standing there in his undergarments.Bhargava: (Panicked whisper) Bro, you have two gates! Run from the big one! No, no, run from the small one!Lakshmi's boyfriend, mortified and ashamed, darted towards the compound wall and jumped inside.

Bhargava: (Chuckling nervously) The wall isn't a bad idea!Kmk and Bhargava burst into laughter. Lakshmi, her face a mask of fury, glared at them on the rooftop before rushing inside her house. 

Kmk, seeing Lakshmi's reaction, turned around, a wave of sadness washing over him. Melancholy music played softly in the background.

Bhargava: (Concerned) Kmk, are you okay?Tears welled up in Kmk's eyes, but he quickly blinked them away, forcing a smile.

Kmk: Yes, I'm fine. Of course, I am. Now, let's see how my new ability works!Bhargava: How?Kmk: Just follow me!Kmk opened another shimmering portal and stepped inside. Bhargava, his curiosity piqued, followed him. To Bhargava's utter shock, they materialized on the very top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Bhargava: What the hell, bro! How did we get here?!Kmk: (Grinning) Look and enjoy, Bhargava! We don't need any permission to go anywhere. This is a gift of the Gods! Okay, let's go to your favorite tower then.

Kmk opened another shimmering portal and pulled Bhargava with him. They materialized on the observation deck of the Tokyo Tower, the sprawling cityscape stretching beneath them. Bhargava stared in utter amazement.

Kmk: See this, Bhargava? We can go from one corner of the world to another in just a second!

Bhargava: (Eyes wide) This is so cool!Bhargava turned and noticed several people pointing and whispering, their phones raised.

Bhargava: Kmk, they're taking our photos! They might have seen us just appear out of nowhere.Kmk glanced at the onlookers and waved cheerfully.

Kmk: Oh, hi! I'm Kmk, and this is my friend Bhargava!Bhargava: (Pulling Kmk's arm) Kmk, maybe it's not a good idea to stay here any longer. Let's go back home.

Kmk: Okay, okay.

He opened another portal, but this time, it hovered precariously in mid-air, several feet below them.

Kmk: Okay, people don't try this at home. Remember where we came from? Okay... Bharat, Andhra, East Godavari, Konaseema, Razole, Chintalaplli village!He grabbed Bhargava firmly.Kmk: And... jump!Bhargava yelled as they plummeted through the portal. On the other side, they didn't land in Chintalaplli. Instead, they splashed down into the flowing waters of the Ganga River. They sputtered, opening their eyes to the sight of ancient temples and bustling ghats.

 They were in Kashi!

Bhargava: (Coughing) What... Kashi?!Kmk stood up, water dripping from his clothes, a look of mild surprise on his face.Kmk: Looks like we're in Kashi now! So, let's go and do darshan then!Bhargava: (Exasperated) What? Darshan now? Do you even have money?Kmk: (Waving his hand dismissively) I have something more powerful than that... powers! Well, if we do need some money... I'll make money appear. Just like this!

A crisp hundred-rupee note materialized in Kmk's hand.Kmk: Let's go then!Kmk started wading out of the river, Bhargava trailing behind him, still bewildered.Scene shifts to space. Four Asura generals – Mahasura, Timiranetra, Vijaya Asura, and Hiranyasura – watched the events unfold on a large, shimmering screen within their respective Vimanas.Timiranetra: (Eyes narrowed in disbelief) How is this possible?! I killed that Dhruva with my own hands, right there at the New Clock Tower center in Amalapuram! Is he still alive?!

Mahasura: (Gravelly voice) maybe because of the Gods! Or maybe his divine powers enabled him to recover so quickly! Anyway, if we want to win, we have to wipe him out without leaving any trace behind, or he might recover or regenerate himself completely. This is all the doing of those wretched gods! I know it! So, Timiranetra, do you have any other plans?

Timiranetra: (A cruel smile spreading across his face) If I can't manage to kill him outright, then I will make him suffer for his entire life. I will make sure he might never be able to fight us again.Mahasura: (Intrigued) Wow, interesting. What are you going to do?

Timiranetra: (Pointing at the screen) I am going to attack his heart... and kill it right in front of his eyes.

Timiranetra and the other Asuras then focused on a different part of the screen, where they saw Lakshmi and her family, including her boyfriend, traveling on a train.

Scene shifts: Kmk and Bhargava, their spiritual duties fulfilled in Kashi, returned to their village via another portal, landing back at Bhargava's house.

Kmk: We'll go to the beautiful beach city, Visakhapatnam, tomorrow, okay?Bhargava: (Warily) Don't you try to send me to Goddess Mallālamma Ceruvu Gaṭṭu! (the village's funeral ground pond embankment).

Kmk: (Chuckling) Come on, bro! You're not going to die. Just enjoy it!Bhargava: Okay, bro, but just don't risk your or my life like jumping from a tower!

Bhargava went inside, and Kmk returned to his own home.

Next morning: At Kmk's house, Bhargava burst in, finding Kmk still asleep.Bhargava: Kmk! Wake up! It's important! See the news! It's about Srisailam!Kmk groggily opened his eyes.Kmk: What about Srisailam? It's a place of miracles. What new has happened there now?

Bhargava: A red portal opened close to the temple! Hearing this, Kmk shot up from his bed, his eyes wide with alarm.Kmk: What? A red portal! That means... the Asuras!

Scene shifts: Srisailam. Lakshmi and her family, including her boyfriend, had just emerged from the temple after their darshan. Suddenly, from the ominous red portal, Timiranetra strode out, followed by his Asura army.

Timiranetra: Find her! Bring her to me!Just then, a brilliant, mixed divine light of blue and white erupted nearby, and Kmk rushed out of a newly formed portal. He was clad in his Asura-slayer blue and white suit, the Thirunamam prominent on his forehead and the middle of his suit. Kmk faced the temple, his hands clasped in reverence.

Kmk: (Loudly) Amma Bhramarambika Devi! Mallikarjuna Swamy! Śaraṇu śaraṇu! (I take refuge!)Timiranetra: (Scoffing) There he is! Yes, pray to your gods! Let's see how they will help you this time, dharmic warrior!Kmk glared at Timiranetra.

Kmk: You goddamn Asura! You will pay for playing with my feelings last time! I am not going to leave you alive!Kmk charged directly towards Timiranetra's Vimana, but Asura soldiers swarmed to intercept him. 

With swift movements and his glowing sword, Kmk began cutting down every Asura who stood in his path. From his vantage point, Timiranetra spotted Lakshmi.

Timiranetra: (Pointing) Look there she is! Your heart! Get her!Several Asuras broke away from the main fight and lunged towards Lakshmi. Kmk saw this and hurled a nearby car at them, momentarily blocking their advance. He continued to cut down every Asura attempting to reach Lakshmi and her family.

Timiranetra: (Furious) You are not going to win this time, divine warrior!He summoned his dark spear and hurled it with deadly force towards Lakshmi and her terrified family. 

Lakshmi squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the impact. But the blow never came. She opened her eyes to see Kmk, blood blossoming on his chest, where the spear had pierced him.

Kmk: (Gasping) Run! Get out of here now!Lakshmi and her family, including her boyfriend, began to flee away from the temple.Kmk: (Shouting) No! Not there! Go inside the temple!But it was too late. They were too far from the entrance. 

More Asuras surged towards them, unleashing a barrage of weapons and arrows. Kmk, despite his injury, fought with all his might to intercept the attacks, taking numerous blows himself to protect them. 

He managed to stop most of the projectiles before they reached Lakshmi and her family, but one arrow struck her boyfriend squarely in the leg, causing him to fall.

Kmk: (Straining) Go now! I can't stop them all at once from all sides!Lakshmi: (Tearfully) No! He can't walk anymore! Don't you see he's hurt!Kmk tried to focus his energy, attempting to create multiple weapons as he had in Rajamahendravaram, but the simultaneous assault on Lakshmi's family made it impossible to concentrate.

 He stumbled towards them.

Kmk: You have to go now! Lakshmi: How can I when he's hurt?! Kmk: (Shouting) Just leave him! Lakshmi: How can I?!Kmk kicked away a few more Asuras who lunged at them.Kmk: (Desperate) Is he more important than your life?!Lakshmi: (Firmly) Yes! I will give my life if need be for him!Kmk turned away, tears streaming down his face. He ripped the spear from his back, a grim determination hardening his features.Kmk: Alright then...With a surge of his power, Kmk opened a swirling portal behind Lakshmi and her family.

Kmk: Leave now!He turned back to face the Asura horde.Lakshmi: (Confused) Wait! Who are you, and why are you fighting for me and my family?!Kmk: (Voice cracking) I... am... L...... Just leave now!Lakshmi and her family, supporting her injured boyfriend, hesitantly stepped into the portal, and it vanished behind them. This enraged Timiranetra.Timiranetra: For the cost of your Lakshmi's life, the entire Srisailam will suffer!

He unleashed a massive wave of dark energy, which instantly transformed into thousands of hissing snakes. Kmk again tried to focus, his own energy beginning to coalesce into weapons, but he could only manage to create a few glowing Chakras. He hurled them at the serpentine onslaught, but they only managed to destroy a fraction of the creatures. Just as the remaining snakes were about to strike, an invisible barrier emanating from the temple shimmered into existence, turning the Asura's conjurations into ash.

Timiranetra: (Spitting with fury) Alright! If you think your gods Narayana and Mallikarjuna Swamy saved you from this attack, think again! Who can save you from my illusions?!

Multiple copies of Timiranetra materialized around Kmk and lunged, grabbing his arms and legs. The real Timiranetra then hurled the same black energy ball at Kmk, striking his forehead once more. When Kmk's vision cleared, Lakshmi stood directly in front of him, her expression soft and pleading.Lakshmi: Just leave all this, Kmk, and just be with me!

Then, her voice shifted, becoming cold and seductive.Voice (Lakshmi): Join us, or you will never have her! The illusion shifted, showing Lakshmi's wedding to her boyfriend, followed by scenes of them with two young children. Kmk cried out in anguish and fell to his knees, the voice continuing to taunt him.

Voice (Lakshmi): Join us and get her!The illusory Lakshmi knelt beside him, her hand reaching for his.Lakshmi (Illusion): Yes, he's right. Just be with me. Leave everything else behind.Kmk looked at her, and a flashback flickered in his mind – his conversation with Dhruva in the celestial realm.

Kmk (Flashback): What if I fall into his illusion again?Dhruva (Flashback): The Lord's sloka! It can break any illusion! Use it!Flashback ended.Back in the present, a faint smile touched Kmk's lips. He closed his eyes and began to chant:Kmk: Shantakaram Bhujagashayanam Padmanabham Suresham,The illusory Lakshmi's face began to contort in discomfort.Kmk: Vishvadharam Gaganasadrisham Meghavarnam Shubhangam,Her form flickered.Kmk: Lakshmikantam Kamalanayanam Yogibhirdhyanagamyam,The illusion around him began to shatter.Kmk: Vande Vishnum Bhavabhayaharam Sarvalokaikanatham.As he completed the sacred verse, the illusion completely dissolved, freeing Kmk from Timiranetra's mental trap. 

At the same moment, the priests within the Srisailam temple began chanting with renewed fervor:

namaste astu bhagavan viśrveśrvarāya mahādevāya tryambakāya tripurāntakāya trikāgnikālāya kālāgni rudrāya nīlakaṇṭhāya mṛtyuṃjayāya sarveśrvarāya sadāśivāya śrīman mahādevāya namaḥKmk's divine energy surged, reaching its peak. He opened his eyes, blazing with power.Kmk: Now... face the power of gods! He unleashed his energy, and multiple glowing copies of Kmk erupted around him, rushing towards the Asura soldiers and the remaining illusory Timiranetras, which vanished as the real one roared in fury.

Timiranetra: Srisailam will pay for this!With a furious gesture, Timiranetra conjured massive boulders of dark energy and hurled them towards the Srisailam dam. 

But before they could reach their target, Kmk smashed through every single boulder, appearing directly in front of Timiranetra, a radiant Trishul held firmly in his hand. Timiranetra's eyes widened in terror as he saw the sacred "Om" symbol blazing above Kmk's head, the Thirunamam of Lord Vishnu appearing on his right, and the Tripundra of Lord Shiva manifesting on his left.

Timiranetra (Inner monologue): I can see it now... this is my end!With a mighty cry, Kmk thrust the Trishul directly into Timiranetra's heart. It was a direct hit. Kmk surged forward, and a divine sword materialized in his hand. In one swift motion, he decapitated Timiranetra. Kmk lifted the Asura general's severed head and hurled it with all his might at the red portal. The head struck Vijaya Asura squarely in the face, while Hiranyasura and Mahasura watched in stunned horror.

Vijaya Asura: (Screaming) Timiranetra! My brother!Mahasura: (Grief-stricken) Not again! Not Timiranetra too!Scene shifts: Srisailam. With the death of Timiranetra, his illusory copies vanished. The remaining Asura soldiers, their morale shattered, began to flee back towards the red portal. But the portal abruptly closed. What followed was utter annihilation. Kmk's copies, imbued with divine fury, decimated every single Asura, a scene reminiscent of the wrath of Lord Kalabhairava and Lord Veerabhadra.

Scene shifts: Bhargava's house. A portal opened, and Kmk stepped out, looking weary but resolute.

Bhargava: (Staring at him, awestruck) Kmk, you were on TV! What was that? I've never seen you that angry before!Kmk replied sadly.Kmk: Leave it, Bhargava. How are Lakshmi and her family?Bhargava gestured towards Lakshmi's house. Kmk saw Lakshmi embracing her boyfriend and her parents, a look of profound relief and gratitude on her face as she seemed to thank fate for their survival. Kmk stumbled backward, a hollow laugh escaping his lips.

Kmk: That's right... fate! Yes, fate saved them! That's right, Bhargava!Kmk began to laugh, the sound devoid of joy, filled with a deep, heart-wrenching sadness. Tears streamed down his face. Bhargava tried to comfort him, but Kmk was lost in his sorrow.

Chapter ends.To be continued....In Chapter 6: Battle of Visakhapatnam a asura Tsunami