Chhatrapati Shivaji - 8

Pune nails have the power of plough! And ploughs have the piety of gold!

Pune, once ruined by Adilshah's troops, and its surroundings region turned fortunate. Jijua started work with great enthusiasm. This small Jehagir started functioning under Shivaji's banner. Dadoji Konddeo was always there to help her. They gave heart to people to once again set up heaven in this barren land. They helped people every which way to enhance farming. Hulls, bulls, wells, seeds....whatever was required was available to all needy farmers. Nobody was given cash money, as farmers spend cash for anything. Farmers were made self-sufficient. Men started working with zeal and challenge. All this was begun with great fanfare in Pune. One hull was fitted with golden plough and Pune's earth was tilled four steps. A golden plough run by Bhonsale mother and son was tremendous encouragement to the farmers. Earlier the Sultan had ploughed destruction, now farmers ploughed for prosperity. No farmer would now be hungry. Put your minds to earth. Pearls would grow.

Puneites themselves took care of horrible disturbance of tigers, foxes, and such wild animals. Beautiful small dams were getting ready. Jijau herself started dispensing justice. Absolutely unbiased. Robbers and dacoits troubles lessened. Towns were set up. Fields flourished. Farmers earlier hungry and kicked by shah's army now came under Shivaji's benevolence and happily laboured and ate full meals. Temples shone calmly in lamplight. Mothers and daughters in households, cattle in shades, and fields and farms lived free of fear. Everybody came to realise Raje's noble mission, future freedom. Pune Jehagir was a small gift handed over to Shivaji, but this small gift was nurtured and flourished under the enthusiastic support of everybody. To nourish a kingdom and a family, to embellish it one needs enthusiasm. One who is not enthusiastic should not rule or start a family!


To be continue......

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 8

Light the fire, will shine when lit!

Shivaji was already being trained in marksmanship and use of other small and big arms. Sharp intellect and eagerness to learn made him master everything very quickly. He was also taught reading and writing. He was slowly getting accustomed to physical exercises. He could jump like a deer with ease.

More than all this was one skill he knew instinctively. The art of knowing and winning people over. He spoke sweetly. And treated others lovingly. So everyone thought that Shivaji was his own king. Minds were comming together like this. When two minds converge with one aim, then even mountains are split. So what of arrogant enemy?

Raja worshipped his mother. Jijua was his whole life. Not keeping her word was like crossing the line of no return of him. But more than things like devotion, love, ethics his hand etched to draw his sword for demonic and Sultani attitude right from now.

To be continue......

Chhatrapati Shivaji - 7

Power gets kingdom! Ideas perform

Shivaji started growing up. He listened to the epics... Mahabharat, Ramayan and the Puranas. He understood Hanuman's Power and ingenuity and Shakuni's cunningness. Master archer Arjun and Dashratha's son Lord Ram sharpened their swords on Shivaji's heart. He could see the vsion of Guru Vishwamitra. He could also see the heads of Ravana flying in the sky and the the Vanar-Sena's victory of Lanka.

As a child Shivaji became fond of these epics. Later Brahmin scholar Keshavpundit Purohit gave discourses to Raja. Raja was nurtured on these epic works.

In these ancient books Raja saw the image of Sultan who kept the Marathas busy fighting amongst themselves to rule. His heart was captured by Goddess Ambika who vanquished the demon, Mahishasur. And Bhandasur conqueror Goddess Jagadamba. It was as if the forts imprisoned with Sultans chains were screaming,"Oh, Godess Jadamba, open the Gates!"

To be continue......