Secrets

Everyone has some secrets or other. It may be as small as you cheated in the examination, to something big, which may destroy the entire country. 

Some people say that if there were no secrets, the World would be the best place to live in. The others argue that the World is existing because of the secrets.

A lot of time and energy goes to keep secrets the secret. Some times it requires a lot of money to keep a secret. For example, we are wondering what is going in "Area 51" (US secret military base).

Some times it requires to create an illusion, as India did to fool US satellites, and conducted nuclear tests at Pokhran in 1998.

One such story of a top kept secret is from ancient India. 

The Kindom of Khosla was a happy kingdom. It was ruled by pro-people king Suryamal, who was well respected by his subjects. Due to its geography, which was in the middle of the trade route to the east, it was under constant threat of been attacked by the invaders. Even the neighboring kingdoms were waiting for the chance to invade. 

King Suryamal, called an urgent meeting to discuss a possible solution to protect his great land. The meeting was attended by a few of his trusted people.

Suryamal said, "I have information from our agents, that neighboring kingdoms are coming together, with a plan to invade our sacred land. I know, their strength is much greater compared to ours. We should be prepared in our defense and use all the means available to us to save our land"

All minister suggested a few strategies but the king was not satisfied, he looked at Vasudev with hope. Vasudev was a very learned scholar in Suryamal's kingdom and was the point of contact when nothing worked out.

Vasudev said, "I have a very good strategy, but I want you to tell you that in private my lord."

King send the other courtiers away. The other scholars were very jealous of Vasudev as he was the king's favorite.

Before Vasudev could speak Suryamal said, " The kingdom treasure is almost empty, now all that is left is the reserves."

Vasudev suggested the plan to the king. On hearing it, the king himself was very afraid.

Suryamal asked, "Are you sure we can execute it?".

Vasudev nodded yes with confidence.

Suryamal on finding no other options left, said to Vasudev, "Okay you go ahead with the plan".

The next few days were very tense, a lot of mathematicians, scholars, and architects from various countries were called. A huge tunnel was dug in the mountain and at the end of the tunnel was a big room. The opening of the tunnel was aligned to a particular star. A specially designed huge hollow metallic cylinder was brought in from Iran and fitted it at the opening. From distance, it would look like a huge cannon opening. The inner room was sealed with the huge metal door. All this preparation took about eleven months to complete.

In a public event, king Suryamal declared, "Today, I can proudly say we have created the weapon, that will protect our nation for ages. I thank all the engineers, architects and mathematicians both from our country and abroad who achieved this task". 

His tone in the speech reflected the confidence. He even promoted and honored Vasudev for being the chief architect of the project.

This news soon reached the enemy countries through their spies. The enemy countries which were planning an invasion put the plan on hold began investigating.

At morning people who saw the cylindrical opening, could see some strange light coming from inside and at the night it emitted the sound like triumphant blowing.

Numerous conspiration theories started emerging. Some believed that there is a high energy weapon inside the tunnel. Others believed there is some huge flame thrower that can vaporize the entire enemy army division.

Enemy countries bribed, honey-trapped and threatened many of the workers who worked on this project, to reveal the information. They only got bits and pieces. But the entire project and actual content inside the tunnel was never known. The half information created more confusion in enemy minds.

"Why did the king require the room of such dimension and such a mathematical precision? The huge thick cannon shaped outlet may only be required to throw some high energy outside. But what kind of energy? What is that light, which people are seeing in the morning? People even hear sounds at night, is there a mechanical instrument inside?" these thoughts haunted the enemy's mind.

Years passed, no one dared to attack the kingdom. The confidence in the country's safety grew and a lot of big traders, businessmen and wealth generators settled in the kingdom. The kingdom of Khosla started generating a lot of wealth, which in turn increased its military power. But the fear of secret weapon itself, kept all the evil desires to concur the kingdom away.

Now the king Suryamal was getting old. One day he called his son Chandrasen and said, "I may not live long, after me you should take care of this kingdom and serve the people"

Chandrasen accepted the responsibility and questioned, "Father, What secret is lying in the tunnel, which weapon you created that protected us all these years?"

Suryamal smiled and said, "Come with me son."

Chandrasen was excited to know the secret and see it for the first time in his life. The only thing that was strictly kept confidential by Suryamal and his minister Vasudev.

Suryamal opened the door and took Chandrasen inside the tunnel. Suryamal looked at his son and said, "Today I will reveal you the top kept secret son. This secret will help you to rule our kingdom without any fear of enemies"

Chandrasen being a scholar himself scanned the room and the tunnel opening. There were three big mirrors.

 Chandrasen said, "Oh! these mirrors reflect the sunlight outside, that is why people are seeing the lights".

Apart from the mirrors entire room was sealed with metallic doors.

Chandrasen looked at it, "Father, because of these metallic doors wind is circulated inside the room which gives sound like blowing triumphant".

Chandrasen now curiously asked, "But father, what is that secret, for which our enemies are afraid of us? We don't have any weapon here".

Suryamal smiled and said, "Yes son we have nothing here, and that is THE SECRET".