"Naga Bhandhanam" - All You Need To Know About The Mysterious B-Vault

Well, this was an interesting topic for me while I was reading many other articles, books while doing a research and I felt that I should really have a featured article written on this more and more after researching. However, that is a different thing or a future plan. Let me now share with you on the current research that I have done about Naga Bhandhanam which was really interesting. So what do you know all about Naga Bhandhanam? Naga Bandhanam is the process of tying up something valuable with a frieze of nagas (serpents of the cobra variety) and is essentially a tantrik form of worship or tantrik process, supposedly of Atharva origin. Naga Bhandhanam is highly secretive and known only to a few Siddhas and this procedure is not to be found in any written form. It is supposed that the procedure to cast the spell of the Naga (create Naga Bhandhanam) as well as undo the spell, used to be found in Vaishnava texts. But frankly speaking no one knows about this in detail.

Ever since it was reported that a vault of the Thiruvanthapuram Padmanabhaswamy temple were sealed with Naga bhandhanam, curiosity about this procedure seems to have increased. Actually, this temple is not the only one using naga bhandhanam. The historical Chola temples too had featured the Naga Bhandhanam, which is an architectural feature consisting of a snake ‘band’ (design) between octagonal and square portions of pillars. Also please look up the Konark / Kalinga art style of Naga and Nagi intertwined in the Mithuna bhandhanam. But apparently the mantra shakti (with specific architectural features of the door kind depicting two nagas with open mouths) is unique to the Padmanabhaswamy temple.

It was reported that the famous Padmanabhaswamy temple door was sealed with Manthram called Astha Naga Bhandhanam performed by Siddhas during the 16th century. This can only be opened with Garuda mantras which when spoken in the correct order will break the spell and drive away the serpents. These Siddhas used the power of sound where they practiced nada yoga (meditation on specific sounds). Garuda mantras are to be found in agama texts, however, for this temple, apparently a very specific mantra (or set of mantras) to Garuda (as the key) have to uttered in a specific form to match the lock (actually it is called Garuda Prayoga). The Garuda mantram cannot be used alone. It should be used in a ritual sequence involving other mantras such as Narasimha mantram, starting with the mula mantram to Narayana (keeping Narayana in the heart) and Shakti mantras to Lakshmi and other divinities. Garuda is the vehicle of Narayana, and is associated with the Valakhilyas (Bala-khilyas) who were absorbed into the Vaikhanasa ascetics of yore (there is a mahabharat legend that the Valakhilyas followed the chariot of the Surya Narayana). So, we are pretty not sure if possibly the method to open the door could be in the Vaikhanasa compositions.

The Naga is considered a water spirit, and the only way to undo it is to use the fire spirit of Garuda. It is not just about chanting the mantram to Garuda, but it is also about harnessing the power of fire by meditating upon the Nada chakra to get the right sound frequency, wavelength, and many more. Some details about the Nada Chakra can be found in the Garuda Puranam. So, the ones who can unlock this must be Siddha purushas of a high order who have knowledge of the nadabindu (and hence knowledge of alchemy as well as yogic powers) and have mastered these techniques. Perhaps the attempt to open the door can be done only during a certain period of a year.

About The Padmanabhaswamy’s B-Vault

Shri Padmanabha Swamy Temple situated in Thirvananthapuram (Trivandrum) district of Kerala, is one of the Richest Temple in the world. The deity Padmanabha Swamy ‘Lord Vishnu’ is enshrined in the "Anantha Shayanam" posture (Yogic sleep). Sleeping on infinite Serpent Adi Sheshnag. The great King of Travancore, Marthanda Varma is said to have done the renovation work that we see today. He's the one who dedicated the temple to Lord Padmanabha.

This temple has 6 kallaras or chambers (underground vaults), which are full of royal treasure worth in billions. Saints of the ancient times are believed to have sealed the door by chanting the powerful Naga Paasam Mantram, and only a priest with the most accurate knowledge as I mentioned above can open the doors by chanting the Garuda Mantram.

Attempt To Open B-Vault

In 2011, Supreme Court ordered to take

the stock of the temple's unaccounted treasury. Therefore, the Apex Court appointed teams to make a record of the said hidden or unknown treasury. They apparently found gold, diamonds and other precious gems and stones statues and thrones made of precious metals. Vault B (Bharatakkon Kallara) is the highly mysterious one and has not opened to date. This Vault B was remained untouched owing to the belief that the one who would attempt to open it would invite misfortune. It is believed to be guarded by serpents, a folkloric vampire named Kanjirottu Yakshi and other supernatural divinities. They are believed to be the protectors of the vault. Centuries ago, when the temple management attempted to open the Vault B, they heard sounds of waves. And since it sounded mysterious and scary, they stepped back and withdrew their decision to open it.

If any human attempts are made with man-made technology to open the mysterious Chamber-B other than by chanting highly sacred and powerful ‘GARUDA MANTRAS’ by a highly sacred ‘SADHUS’ or ‘MANTRIKAS’, astrologers and vedists predict that catastrophes are likely to occur in and around the Temple premises or through out India. Some say the kallara/Vault B directly opens into the ocean.The vault keeps within it enormous amount of water with its enormous force,opening it could submerge the area nearby or the entire state or the entire nation who knows.

Another theory states that, Devas and Sages reside in Kallara B worshipping the Lord. Naga Devathas devoted to the Lord also dwell in this Kallara. Kanjirottu Yakshi, whose enchanting and ferocious forms are painted on the south-west part of the main Sanctum, resides in this Kallara worshipping Lord Narasimha. Holy objects like Sreechakram were installed beneath this Kallara to enhance the potency of the Principal Deity. Lord Ugra Narasimham of Thekkedom is said to be the Protector of this Vault B. There is a serpent's image on Vault B indicating danger to anyone who opens it.

To date, none now in this entire universe is found to have known the naga bhandan or the naga pasam. Till that Vault B will always remain as a mystery….

Stay Tuned Till My Next Article On Padmanabha Swamy and its Mystery.

By

DE (Dheeraj Edat)

Article Research & References:

Quora.com, Wikipedia, Travancore - The Footprints of Destiny, Worlds Richest Temple