by Ranjit Desai
‘Who am I to forgive you? I don’t have the authority. Think of what I have told you. I will go to Raigad and perform Rajaram’s thread ceremony and marriage. Once I return, we will discuss and take the right decision. I want you to think about what I said in the meanwhile.’
While leaving for Raigad, he met Yesu and said, ‘Don’t forget what I told you. You have to assert yourself. That is the only way to keep Sambhaji in check.’
As Raje rode out of the fort, he turned back to look. At the bastion, the saffron flag fluttered and at the gate stood Sambhaji.
#
A contingent of around two thousand soldiers moved towards Satara. Despite the sun overhead, there was a pleasant warmth. Raje sat in his palanquin, his hand holding the tassel for support. Soon, Parli was in sight and Raje closed his eyes and folded his hands in namaskar.
At that moment the palanquin stopped. Raje peeped out to see Hambirrao running towards the palanquin and he said, ‘Raje, Kalyan Swami is waiting for you.’
Kalyan Swami said, as Raje got off and rushed to meet him, ‘Raje, we have been waiting for you. Samarth wanted to meet you while you are en route to Panhala.’
Raje was nervous when he heard that. He asked, ‘Is he waiting for me? Let us go right away.’
As they walked the way up the hill, Raje saw Samarth standing at the gates of the Parli Fort. Overwhelmed with emotions and with tears trickling down his cheeks, Raje hid his face in his palms as sobs racked his body.
Samarth stepped forward and said, ‘Shivba, have courage. Things will be fine by the grace of Lord Ramchandra.’
They reached the hermitage. After a while, Raje and Samarth were alone in the hut. Sitting on a tiger skin, Samarth looked and Raje and asked, ‘May I know why you were crying then?’
Raje raised his head. Samarth’s right hand was resting on a crutch with a rosary was moving between his fingers. Raje said, ‘I had no other choice. I was avoiding you as I had no face to show you. While I was busy working for the Swaraj, our Yuvraj defected to the Mughals.’
Samarth smiled. ‘So you thought you could avoid seeing me, did you? Can anything be hidden from your guru?’
‘Forgive me, Gurudev! I was confused.’
‘Shivba, I understand. That is why I sent Kalyan Swami to wait for you. I am the one responsible for all this agony.’
‘You?’
‘Yes. When Sambhaji came to Parli, I was not there. If I had been, things would have been different.’
‘It is my bad luck!’ Raje said, dejectedly.
‘Then why pine for it?’
‘I am wondering whom to hand over the kingdom to, from the Narmada to the Tungabhadra?’
‘Yuvraj has come back now, has he not?’
‘Yes, he has. But the ministers don’t trust him and Rajaram is still young. When I took the oath at Rohideshwar, I had nothing, but now I have this vast kingdom and the seeds of Swaraj, sowed so carefully, has grown a plant so big that I need an axe now!’
‘Why an axe, Raje?’
Raje said, wiping his tears, ‘Because of Yuvraj’s behaviour, I have decided to split the kingdom into two and entrust the Gingee region to Sambhaji and the rest to Rajaram.’
‘So you too are becoming egoistic!’
‘Egoistic?’ Raje exclaimed.
‘To say that you expanded the kingdom and lakhs of people depend on you is a form of ego. You are suffering because of it. Leave it to the Lord to decide how the kingdom will be managed. Why are you worrying about it? You must only do your duty. Therein lies happiness and real satisfaction.’
‘How can I be satisfied when I am lonely and have no one to share my sorrows with? I am totally exhausted. The sky remains as high as ever—I miss my mother but I cannot reach her.’
‘Shivba!’
‘Gurudev, I lived a life of loyalty and responsibility. What sin did I commit to suffer like this?’
Ramdas Swami’s face was agonized. He said, ‘Raje, you are attached to this world. Each man is born and dies alone. Sorrows are inevitable. Lord Krishna died a horrible death. What sin had he committed? Lord Rama too had to suffer his last moments in a watery grave. Bhishma died on a bed of arrows.’
Samarth’s soothing voice made Raje comfortable. He looked up. Samarth said, ‘Raje, we are born to suffer pains and agonies. But we must realize that the body is false and as are pains and sorrows. Once you know yourself, you can get out of the bond of life and attain bliss.’
‘I don’t have that capability. Or, I would not have suffered so much.’
‘One has to act, Raje! I gave you the Dasbodh so that it can show you the way when you are confused. The gyani does not run after moments of joy. Ignorance is sitting on one’s wealth and not being able to see it. We forget to see the presence of the Lord everywhere, whether in the cool breeze, the luminescence of the moon or in the palash blooms in the summer. Till we realize His existence, we do not realize the soul.’
Raje felt better after listening to Samarth’s words.
‘Raje, don’t get entangled in false attachment. Once you know yourself, there is only bliss. The fearlessness with which you met Afzal Khan was a testimony of your belief in the Lord. The moment when you saw the saffron flag flutter for the first time, was it not pure ecstasy? Have you cared to count such moments?’
Samarth saw that Raje was now rapt with attention listening to him. His eyes were closed and his breathing was soft. Watching him sit in this meditative pose, Samarth was overjoyed and called out, ‘Shivba!’
Raje was motionless. After a while, when he came out of his trance, he looked at Samarth with contented eyes. Samarth had tears in his eyes. Raje stood up and placed his head at Samarth’s feet.
Hugging him affectionately, Samarth said, without bothering to wipe his tears, which flowed freely, ‘Raje, you are fortunate that you have attained this position. You have very little time and you should try to realize yourself at the earliest. Don’t think about the future. You are already a rajayogi. Now try to become a siddhayogi, the one who is enlightened. That is your true self.’
Raje felt a deep sense of satisfaction after having realized his new identity. With a serene face, he took leave of Samarth.
#
All of Raigad was agog with the news of Raje’s arrival. As his palanquin reached the main square, accompanied by Hambirrao, Moropant and Annaji, the soldiers saluted. Rajaram came running and touched Raje’s feet as he wearily got down from the palanquin.
Looking at Rajaram, Raje said, ‘You seem to have caught a cold and have fever. Why did you leave the palace?’
‘To see you.’
‘But what about your health?’
‘That is a common thing,’ Rajaram said, a little tired.
‘Don’t neglect your health.’
Rajaram nodded. Raje walked with him towards his chamber. Mahadev stood waiting. Raje handed his sword to Mahadev and then took off his shawl as he sat on the bed.
‘Why is Dada Maharaj not here?’ Rajaram asked.
‘He does not trust me, unfortunately. Anyway, why don’t you go out and ask Moropant and Annaji to come here?’
Soyarabai came in at that moment with a maid who was carrying a tray with a tumbler of milk in it.
Raje said, ‘I don’t want it. Take it away.’
‘How is your health?’ Soyarabai asked, as she waved a hand to ask the maid to take the tray away.
‘Nothing wrong with my health.’
Soyarabai then asked what Raje feared she would. ‘How is Sambhaji? Has he come to his senses?’
‘He is repenting his deeds. His mind is weak.’
‘Despite what he has done, you still say he is weak?’ There was malice in Soyarabai’s voice as she spoke.
‘Such things happen not due to rashness alone. It is also due to weakness.’
Soyarabai said, ‘No one except you would have tolerated this.’
‘Just leave it, Rani saheb.’ Raje did not wait for an answer and left the room. In the office
Annaji, Moropant and Balaji were waiting for him. Raje asked, as he took his seat, ‘Is the fortification at Khanderi Island finished?’
‘Yes, Maharaj.’
‘Then why did you not tell me about it?’
‘Well, we lost a few men and some ships,’ Moropant said, swallowing nervously. ‘But Mainak Bhandari and Daulat Khan are fine,’ he added quickly.
‘Please tell me everything,’ Raje said, sighing.
‘We had collected the material at Naigaon; Mainak had a hundred and fifty men and four guns but the wall was hardly built to a height of one and half arms when the English ships marched on to Khanderi and tried to obstruct the construction. Our men continued their work. A battle ensued when the English sent their ships. Our navy retaliated and they lost a ship and five men, but we took many of the English prisoners.’
‘That is fantastic. Daulat Khan has shown great courage.’
‘Maharaj, when we sank their ships, the English launched a fresh attack and sank three of our ships with three hundred men losing their lives and another twelve hundred wounded.’
Raje was pained at hearing this. Moropant continued, ‘Daulat Khan continued the construction of the wall around the island and we also changed our strategy and besieged the Rajapur factory. We managed to arrest all the men there.’
Raje admired the courage of Daulat Khan. He smiled and said, ‘Carry on. What happened next?’
‘That brought the English to ask for a negotiation and they agreed not to help Siddi in the future. Their ships have gone back and we were able to build the wall at Khanderi.’
‘You have done a great job. We have created an obstruction between Janjira and Mumbai. We can defeat Siddi and the English later.’
Raje saw Mahadev collecting something from the floor. He asked, ‘What is it, Mahadev?’
‘The poison lamp broke. I am collecting the pieces.’
‘It slipped out of my hand,’ Soyarabai said, coming into the room.
‘Rani saheb, why are you so upset? We may not need it anymore,’ Raje said, laughing.
Soyarabai, surprised at Raje’s unexpected answer, was relieved.
#
Raje had gotten busy after he returned to the fort. His meetings went on till late in the night. Raje received Firangoji when he came into the office and hugged him warmly.
‘I was thinking about you, Firangoji. It’s good that you came.’
Holding his hand, Raje walked towards his chamber. Rajaram came in and Firangoji stood up to salute. Raje asked, ‘Bal Raje, did you bow to Uncle Firangoji?’
Rajaram stepped forward and bent in a low salute. Firangoji hugged him affectionately.
At that moment Soyarabai stepped in and said, ‘You have seen the consequences of pampering one prince. Don’t do that to another one now.’
Firangoji was startled to hear that and saluted Soyarabai in response.
Raje said, with the intention of dismissing her, ‘Please bring some milk and refreshments for Firangoji.’
Soyarabai realized that Raje wanted her to leave and she turned to go without saying a word.
‘How is Yuvraj,’ Firangoji asked.
‘He repents his actions but I feel he is still young.’
‘Whatever you may say, he is the heir apparent.’
Raje was surprised to hear him speak like this. He said, ‘What are you saying? This throne is not ours. It belongs to men like you who are willing to sacrifice their lives for it. The kingdom should rest in the hands of a person who is responsible and mature.’
Firangoji laughed in response. He said, ‘Why discuss this right now?’
‘No one can predict death. It can come anytime. It is Yuvraj’s behaviour which has got me thinking.’
That night Raje met his ministers in his chamber. He said as they took their seats, ‘I met Sambhaji Raje at Panhala. You must be wondering why I haven’t yet mentioned it or given you the details.’
Hambirrao said, ‘It is not necessary for the king to apprise the commander of everything.’
Raje said, waving his hand for Hambirrao to stop, ‘You are my commander and I have taken all decisions ever since my coronation only after discussing them with you. Why? Because the king is not an independent person. He has to listen to the collective voice of himself, his ministers and his commanders. As I was saying, I am hoping that Sambhaji Raje will have become wiser by his experience and he must be given an opportunity.’
The ministers looked at each other. No one spoke.
Finally, Hambirrao said, ‘Maharaj, if I may be frank …’
‘Please!’
‘Yuvraj must have the trust of everyone here.’
‘Hambirrao, you say you want to be frank and yet you beat around the bush. You want to say that Annaji and Moropant do not trust him, don’t you? At the time of taking my oath at Rohideshwar, all I had was confidence. I earned trust later.’
Raje heaved a sigh and continued, ‘However, I have seen Yuvraj repenting his mistakes many times. He has his hobbies, his fancies and enjoys his luxuries. How can I expect you to trust him when, despite being his father, I don’t trust him?’
Annaji said, ‘Maharaj, I feel it is the other way round. Sambhaji Raje does not trust us, particularly me. I must part company for the sake of the problem to be solved.’
‘Annaji,’ Raje shouted, his face stern. ‘I know Yuvraj does not like you but the question of you parting company does not arise. Imagine if I were to part my company from you!’
‘Maharaj!’ Moropant exclaimed.
‘Who knows how long I will live? I must be assured that our work would not stop even if I am not around. I was happy to see Yuvraj repenting and had tears in my eyes. But I cannot forget the barber Shiva who came to Panhala and saved my life. Can I forget the six hundred brave men who toiled in rain and mud to take my palanquin through that dark night? And Baji Prabhu who sacrificed his life at Godhkhind to ensure that I reach safely? He waited till I reached Vishalgad before laying down his weapons. Can you understand why I want people whom I can entrust this kingdom to around?’
‘Why should you worry about our kingdom?’ Annaji said, pride in his voice. ‘It has spread from the Tungabhadra to the Narmada. We have an army of more than a lakh. Chhatrapati Shivaji’s name brings fear into the hearts of those in the Adil Shahi and Qutb Shahi kingdoms.’
Raje laughed out loudly and said, ‘Annaji, you should know better than this. You are my minister! You must know that I am not looking at the Adil Shahi or the Qutb Shahi kingdoms but northwards to Delhi. They are gathering at Aurangabad. Diler Khan has been insulted and I am sure we will have to fight our last battle with Alamgir and it will be a decisive battle. We must be prepared!’
Raje paused for a moment and continued, ‘I have proposed that we divide the kingdom between Shambhu and Rajaram.’
‘Maharaj,’ Firangoji began.
‘Don’t think I like it, Firangoji. I don’t think Yuvraj is going to accept it easily. In the meanwhile, I want to perform Rajaram’s thread ceremony and get him married. What do you say, Moropant?’
‘I think we can wait. Bal Raje is young.’
‘He is a minor,’ Raje said, ‘but I am getting old. I have very little time at my disposal. Bal Raje will rule with your advice. I have only you all now as my confidantes and counsellors. Our responsibility is very large and we are very few in number! I feel insecure. You must all recognize your strength as early as possible. We don’t have much time now.’
Raje got up to leave. ‘I will go to bed now.’
They saluted as Raje left. Lying in his bed, Raje was lost in thought as Mahadev came in to put out the lamps while another servant massaged Raje’s feet. Soon, he was in deep sleep.
#
The next morning, Rajaram came in and placed his head at Raje’s feet. Hugging him affectionately, Raje asked, ‘You seem to be better now.’
‘Aai saheb gave me permission to go out.’
‘You must now become independent. You can be fi
t by doing some exercise and eating moderately.’
‘But Aai saheb loves me and …’
‘I know she does but blind love is not good. My Maa saheb too loved me but was watchful. If you cannot adjust to the changing climate here, how will you weather the storms and rains when you go out on campaigns?’ Patting his head, Raje continued, ‘Don’t get involved in your Aai saheb’s attachments.’
‘What a fine lesson!’ Soyarabai said, as she entered.
Raje and Rajaram turned to see Soyarabai coming in, and Rajaram was nervous.
Raje said, ‘I was only telling the truth. He will soon shoulder a large responsibility and he can’t be unhealthy.’
‘What responsibility?’ Soyarabai asked, suddenly alert.
‘The kingdom, what else? Shambhu Raje is at Panhala, and someone must manage things here.’
Hearing that, Soyarabai’s spirits soared. She was all smiles.
‘I want to perform his thread ceremony and get him married.’
‘I was thinking of looking for a suitable girl.’
‘There’s no need—I have found one. She is Prataprao’s daughter. You remember when he had laid down his life in Nesari, I went to his house to console his family? An innocent girl, playing in the courtyard, attracted my attention. Her name, if I remember correctly, is Janaki. Someone remarked that the girl has been orphaned. But a child on my lap can never be an orphan!’
‘What about her family?’
‘You mean their status? Our kingdom is founded on the sacrifices of people like Prataprao Gujar. And the Malsures, Kanks and Gujars, they all ate at par with us. Anyone who has a relationship with a crowned king becomes a family member.’
Rajaram realized that they were talking of his marriage and ran out of the chamber, a little embarrassed. Soyarabai left a little later, her joy knowing no bounds.
#
The preparations for the marriage began in earnest. Senior commanders like Hambirrao were sent to Prataprao’s village to settle the marriage negotiations and to give invitations to the bride’s family. The tenth day of the month of Phalgun was selected for the marriage.
‘Do we have enough time to plan it?’ Soyarabai said, expressing her doubts.
Raje smiled. ‘Don’t forget that I am the sovereign king, Rani saheb. If I want it, anything can happen. It is a marriage in the family of Chhatrapati, after all!’