by Ranjit Desai
Raje was furious and when he reached Pachad, he told Jijabai the news.
‘Raje,’ she asked, ‘were we not warned of their attack?’
‘We knew they would attack but we never expected them to resort to such brutalities. We had looted Surat and Karanja and I had expected them to respond one day. This is why I was keen to move to Raigad at the earliest. I am told Aurangzeb has issued orders to march on us. At this moment, the Mughals have surrounded Salher.’
‘Raje, what does that mean?’
‘There’s nothing to worry about, Maa saheb. Our forts are well equipped and we can hold the enemy at bay.’
Raje issued orders to Prataprao to go to Salher and break the siege. Moropant Peshwa was to join from Konkan to support him.
#
C
alamity seemed to have the effect of increasing Raje’s fervour. It was clear that the Mughals were determined to capture Salher. On Raje’s orders, all the Maratha troops from across the regions gathered near Salher, keeping a safe distance lest they alert the Mughals. The plan was to attack from two sides—one from above and the other from below the ghat on the Konkan side.
The Maratha spies kept a close watch on the Mughal camp of nearly fifty thousand spread across miles. The cantonment, used to the largesse provided by the emperor, believed in living in style. With such large amounts of money and manpower at hand, the Mughal sardar Ikhlas Khan’s complacency was understandable. The Maratha fort-keeper rose at dawn to watch the siege below. It was a daily affair now. The Mughals would shell the fort for a while, followed by a few troops attempting to scale the wall, which was followed by further shelling till nightfall. Despite this happening every day, there was little effect evident on the strong walls of the fort.
The next morning, as the Mughal camp slowly awakened, the neighing of horses alerted the soldiers. But it was too late. With shouts of ‘Har Har Mahadev!’, the Marathas pounced on the sleeping enemy. While the Mughals scrambled to the saddles of their horses and get their elephants ready to fight, the Maratha troops had reached the camp and begun the slaughter. The air was filled with the piercing screams of wounded soldiers while weapons clattered and the elephants trumpeted in fear. The massacre was over before it could begin. Ikhlas Khan managed to escape but twenty-two of his key sardars have been taken captive. The Marathas captured six thousand horses, a few hundred elephants, a few thousand camels and lakhs of jewellery and precious stones.
#
Raje stood at the ramparts of the Raigad fort eagerly awaiting news from Salher. On seeing the messenger arrive, he hurried towards him. Accompanying the messenger, Balaji, with happiness writ large on his face, said, ‘Raje, we won! We captured thousands of horses, elephants and goods worth lakhs!’
‘Well done! That is great news!’
‘The enemy lost thousands of men. But so did we, Raje,’ Balaji said, unable to face him.
‘Oh, is that so?’ Raje muttered. ‘What else?’ he asked, seeing Balaji hesitate.
‘We lost Suryarao Kakade.’
Raje was overwhelmed with sorrow on hearing of Suryarao’s death. ‘The battlefield is not willing to relent till we sacrifice something in return!’ Gathering his emotions, he said, ‘Balaji, let us go to the office. We need to reward the messenger.’
As soon as they reached the office, Jijabai, eagerly waiting for news, came out.
Raje said, as he looked at Sambhaji, ‘Yuvraj, as you are managing the affairs of the administration well, it is appropriate that you give a gold wristlet to this messenger.’
Jijabai, ever alert, could detect a sad note in Raje’s voice despite his best attempt to sound normal. She asked, ‘Raje, what is the matter?’
It was enough to bring tears to Raje’s eyes. But before he could speak, Jijabai said, ‘We have lost one more sardar, haven’t we?’
Raje did not know how to respond. Gathering himself, he said, ‘Maa saheb, I don’t know if I can shoulder this responsibility well.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Maa saheb, on a single word from me, my men are willing to lay down their lives. I fervently wish that the sacrifice of thousands of these men at the altar of Swaraj does not go to waste. The men who died did their job, but I have to take it forward. Sometimes I fear that I may not be …’
‘Don’t worry, Raje!’ Jijabai interrupted. ‘I believe in Almighty, who will fulfil our wishes.’
#
Diler Khan had been shaken up by the attack at Salher. The Mughals had retreated from Salher, fearing the worst. Aurangzeb, enraged by the news, wrote a strongly worded note to Bahadur Khan, who had been made the Subedar:
‘It would have been better if you had sacrificed your life in battle rather than sending me this message. The Portuguese and Abyssinians are flattering Shivaji, offering him gifts. I am sure, if you worked together, you can rout the Marathas in no time.’
Bahadur Khan replied:
‘I am disheartened that you cast aspersions on my loyalties. This is the same Shivaji who managed to escape from Agra with his son, despite the strictest security arrangements under your command. You would appreciate our situation if you knew what conditions we operate under here. Shivaji has sent his Muslim emissary, Kazi Haider, to meet us. I am sure we can find a way to improve relations with him.’
Bahadur Khan’s reply infuriated Aurangzeb further, and he ordered him to arrest Shivaji’s emissary. While the orders were being sent to Bahadur Khan, Raje received Moropant, Prataprao and others, as they reached the fort victorious.
After offering them gifts, he said, ‘Moropant, our men have shown exemplary courage. We lost Suryarao unfortunately, and I must visit his house and pay my respects.’
‘Raje, there is one more house you must visit,’ Moropant said. ‘That of Ramaji Pangera, the fort-keeper at Kanhergad. While Diler Khan was making plans for Salher, he turned to Kanhergad. Ramaji, on hearing that Diler Khan was marching towards him, came down the fort with a mere six hundred Mavals and attacked them. After an intense battle, where all of them suffered heavily and finally lost their lives protecting the fort, Diler Khan and his men turned away unable to face the brave Mavals. The twelve-hundred-odd Pathans had no choice but to retreat.’
Raje was deeply saddened. He wondered how many more lives would be sacrificed for his goal. He said, his voice trembling, ‘In a way, it is good that Pangera is no more, because even the gift of our entire kingdom would have been paltry in lieu of what he did for us. He was there with me when we fought Afzal Khan, and now he has laid down his life for Kanhergad. I must visit his house without any further delay!’
‘Maharaj,’ Moropant continued, ‘I am told Bahadur Khan has now been made the Subedar.’
‘That does not worry me. He is like a dog who is satisfied with a mere bone thrown at him. We can tackle him any day.’
‘What about the sardars we have captured at Salher?’
‘We will do what we have always done—release them honourably and give them royal clothes and gifts. We have no enmity with them anymore.’
The meeting was over and while others walked away, Raje stood at the ramparts, looking down at the valley. His mind was filled with thoughts of Pangera.
#
Despite the summer heat, it was pleasant at the top of the fort in the evening. Raje sat there conferring with Annaji, Balaji and Moropant when Sambhaji came in.
‘Aba saheb, I have been asked to call you to inspect the stables. They are ready now.’
Annaji said, ‘Yuvraj, we are busy discussing some other plans. Is it that urgent?’
A dejected Sambhaji said, ‘I leave that to Aba saheb to decide.’
Raje, realizing that Sambhaji was hurt, said, ‘Come on, let us go. After all, he is only doing his job.’
While going to the stables, he entered the quarters to take Rajaram for a ride.
Soyarabai said, ‘I suggest you don’t take him out. The wind is cold.’
‘Rani saheb,’ Raje said, trying to keep a smil
e on his face, ‘I know what I am doing. We need not worry about his health so much that we make him weak. He is my son too and a Maratha as well.’
‘Yes, you are right. But you have two and I have only one.’
The taunt pierced Raje’s heart. For a moment, he struggled to control his emotions and letting go of Rajaram’s hand, he said ‘Rani saheb, it would have been better if you had not said that.’
Without waiting for Soyarabai’s response, he turned abruptly and left the room.
#
It was late afternoon and the sun burned brightly on the fort. Raje was inspecting the stables being built for the elephants as he was escorted by Hiroji. He said, ‘Hiroji, you have done a good job, no doubt, but we have no use for the elephants here at the fort. We don’t have the time to take care of these beasts. I believe our strength is our cavalry and our ability to camp in the open.’
‘Maharaj, elephants add glory and prestige to the fort, don’t they?’
‘Hiroji, they are one of the reasons for the Mughal defeat. A howdah is the perfect target for an archer and once the commander falls, the troops run for their lives.’
At that moment, a shout of ‘Jai, Jai Raghuveer Samarth!’ attracted everyone’s attention.
Raje turned to find a man walking confidently towards him. He was clad in saffron clothes and, folding his hands in namaskar, said, ‘My name is Diwakar Gosavi, and I come with a message from Samarth Ramdas Maharaj.’
Raje was overjoyed to hear this. He said, ‘Please wait a minute, and let me bring Maa saheb here as well. I am sure she will be keen to hear what Samarth has to say.’
As they assembled in the hall, Raje asked Moropant to read the message out aloud. It read:
‘You, the one with the determination as solid as Mount Meru, the one who protects everyone—you are a shriman yogi. Your greatness and your benevolent acts; they are but countless. You are the true king of the people. You live in the hearts of the people; with your conduct, reasoning, generosity and righteousness you surpass everyone in your conscientiousness. Shrines were destroyed and Brahmin houses desecrated; our religion under threat from aggressors. But you, the incarnation of Lord Narayana, is here to protect us. There is no protector like you. You are the one Maharashtra looks up to. You are the one whose glory will spread the world over; you have annihilated the wicked and protected the good. You are truly, the benevolent king. Kindly excuse me, for I write to you unsolicited.’
Raje could not believe his ears while Maa saheb was in tears. She said, ‘Raje, how lucky we are to be praised by Samarth Maharaj!’
‘No, Maa saheb! It is a huge responsibility Maharaj has vested in me. He has reminded me of my duty. He has forgiven me despite my mistake.’
‘Mistake?’
‘Yes, I have committed a great blunder. A great saint like him moves about our kingdom and his followers are ever ready to help us at each step. Yet, unfortunately, I have not met him yet! Maa saheb, the sooner I meet him, the better it is! I have to meet him and seek his blessings.’
‘I wish I could accompany you, Raje. But my health does not permit me. Please meet him and convey my regards. It is my desire that I receive his blessings before I die.
After honouring Diwakar Gosavi, Raje gave him a letter for Samarth Ramdas Maharaj, expressing his desire to meet him at the earliest.
#
On getting the news that Samarth Ramdas Maharaj was living near Shinganwadi in the Chaphal province, Shivaji made plans to meet him. Samarth’s hermitage was in a mango grove with thickets on all sides. It lay nestled in the lap of the Sahyadris in the beautiful valley of the River Koyna, where nature was in full bloom. Diwakar Gosavi received Shivaji when he arrived at the hermitage.
The ashram had low huts with clean and pristine courtyards. A beautiful cottage made of grass and leaves near a huge peepul tree caught Shivaji’s attention. Ramdas Samarth stood outside a beautiful garden, his matted hair, fair complexion and piercing eyes in his smiling face creating a welcoming aura around him. He held a rosary in one hand and a crutch under the other arm. Raje was delighted to see him and when he bent down to touch the guru’s feet, he felt his hand on his arm, sending a shiver through his body. He heard him say, ‘I have been waiting for you, Raje.’
Shivaji looked up. He could see powerful arms around which a rosary was tied. Samarth lifted Raje gently by his shoulders and hugged him. He said, ‘Raje, I feel blessed after meeting you. It is like meeting Lord Ram.’
It was impossible for Raje to stop his tears. He said, gathering his thoughts finally, ‘Please pardon me, Samarth.’
‘Shivaji! Look at me!’
Raje looked at Samarth to find him smiling. He said, putting his hand on Raje’s shoulder, ‘Shivba. You may not have met me earlier but I know you well. You are a rajayogi, a shriman yogi! I have no words to describe you but I am sometimes bewildered by your commitment. I wonder how you manage to keep it constant.’
Raje, unable to speak, just looked at Samarth who continued, ‘This province is under the control of Adil Shah. Why do you take such risks to meet me? I wrote to you as I appreciate what you have done but you need not have put your life at risk to meet me.’
‘My life is not that precious!’
Swami held Raje’s wrist tightly saying, ‘Be patient, Raje, and never say that again. What you have undertaken is of great importance. I am a devotee of Lord Ram and my job is to spread his word but words alone are not enough, Raje. What you are doing is crucial, and my words are incomplete without your deeds. I was about to send you a message but I was told that you were already on the way.’
Raje then introduced Moropant and Prataprao Gujar. Samarth said, ‘I was pleased the way you handled the siege at Salher. I hope you always show such valour. There is a lot of work to do yet.’
‘It seems Maharaj has all current information!’ Raje said, impressed with the swami’s knowledge.
‘It is not divine intuition! Your men have engaged many of my ascetics and they seem more involved in politics than spiritual pursuits. I thus get all the current information. I also want to say that you need to be careful. I don’t think your friendship with Adil Shah will last long. You irked Khavas Khan in Kudal. He has a lot of influence in the Bijapur durbar.’
Soon, on a cue from Raje, Moropant asked his men to present covered trays to Samarth. They overflowed with gold and silver coins.
Seeing them Samarth said, ‘Raje, for an ascetic like me, a loincloth is my only necessity. What I need from you is your love and commitment.’
‘Commitment?’
‘Yes, Raje. Men like you are born to fulfil a mission.’
‘Samarth, please tell what you want me to do.’
Samarth smiled. He said, ‘Raje, a king is like a cloud which showers the earth with water. You must do the same to your people.’
Samarth called one of his disciples, Kalyan, and said, ‘Raje is our guest. Please ensure his men are taken care of.’
‘My men are carrying their supplies including fodder for the animals. Please do not worry.’
Samarth said, ‘I know. I also know that your men never harm people wherever they travel and that makes me very proud.’
Their conversation continued for a while and then Raje went to the hermitage for the night. For the next two days, Raje attended discourses by Samarth Ramdas on spirituality, wisdom and detachment. Raje requested Maharaj to bless him, which he gladly did. Raje felt he had been spiritually enlightened.
The next afternoon, sitting outside Samarth’s cottage, he asked, ‘Maharaj, have you seen God?’
Samarth looked up, surprised. He continued, ‘Raje, the aim of life is not to meet or perceive God. To know oneself is the ultimate aim—that is where you will find God. Had I found God, I would not have exhorted you to find him.’
‘Does it mean that a preceptor has no place in life?’
‘A guru is a guide, to show you the right path. We are both travellers on the journey of life.’
‘
But then why haven’t you recommended any prayers or mantras for me?’ Raje asked.
‘You have a mission to fulfil—to set up the Lord’s rule on this land. Raje, love everyone and protect your dharma. This is your duty and I am sure the Lord will help you reach your goal.’
In the presence of Samarth and the divine atmosphere of the hermitage, hours passed by as Shivaji and his men listened to Samarth’s words. All their woes were forgotten.
It had been four days since their arrival, but Raje did not want to leave the hermitage. Sensing this, Samarth said, ‘Shivba, tomorrow is an auspicious day and I suggest you leave. If I hold you back any further, the entire kingdom will curse me. Also, your mother waits for you eagerly.’
Raje said, overwhelmed by emotion, ‘Maa saheb was very keen to meet you but her health did not permit her to come. She sends her salutations. She said she was keen to get your blessings before she breathes her last.’
Samarth closed his eyes for a long time. When he opened them, they were filled with tears. He said, ‘Raje, your Maa saheb is a blessed soul, and I am eager to meet her. Tell her I have received her wishes and that Lord Ram will fulfil her desires.’
The next morning, as dawn broke, Raje was restless. Seeing tears in Raje’s eyes as he touched his feet, Samarth said, unable to contain his own tears, ‘Shivba, please don’t cry!’
‘Maharaj, my life is blessed because I had the chance to meet you. I don’t feel like leaving and would like to spend the rest of my life at your feet. When will I see you again?’
Samarth looked at Raje and said, caressing his back gently, ‘Raje, I am with you at all times—remember that! Focus on the challenges ahead and the mission you need to fulfil.’
‘Gurudev!’
‘Carry on now, and you can meet me whenever you want to.’
Samarth went inside his hut and returned in a few moments carrying something wrapped in an ochre-coloured paper. He said, ‘Raje, I am an ascetic and have nothing to offer you. Sitting in the caves at Shivthar for nine years, I wrote Dasbodh. I dictated it to Kalyan who made it into a manuscript. It was possible with the blessings of Lord Ram only. I made a copy of the manuscript and kept it for you. Dasbodh is the philosophy of my life—please preserve it carefully. Whenever you find yourself in trouble, read this. I am sure Lord Ram will show you the way. Raje, with the Dasbodh, I have given whatever I have to give!’