A decorative tent was erected for Jijau’s marriage. The marriage area within it had special decorations. Drums started beating. The marriage bustle began in the tent. Pylons were hung on the doorways. Jadhavrao’s Jijau was decorated in the full marriage attire. Her dainty feet were decorated with the swastika symbols drawn with Kumkum. Haldi ritual was done. There was a tinkle of her green bangles in the air. Her forehead was decorated with Kumkum. Auspicious rice was stuck over it. Decorative headgear adorned both the foreheads. Shahajiraje was also attired in his marriage clothes. There was a streak of becoming a groom in his eyes.
Gods were invoked. Lamps were lit. The princess of Krishna’s dynasty stood up to garland the prince of Rama’s descendants. The auspicious appointed moment arrived. There was a deafening sound of cannons, guns, and applause. The intervening piece of cloth separating the bride and groom was taken away. Auspicious rice rained on them. Shahajiraje bowed his head before his Laxmi. Jijau garlanded Raje. It was a union of the dynasties of the sun and the moon. Jijau became the blessed daughter-in-law of the Bhosales.
Only Malojiraje was not present to witness this. That was the only sad bit. Probably he would have rained his auspicious tears on both of them from the window in heaven and would have said, ‘Bless you my children! Have a long, happy life! Bring Ram-Rajya in your married life!’
Lakhujiraje gave the couple a grand wedding. He gave the newly-weds ample wealth in dowry. He was a father-in-law from Varhad (Berar) region. Gave away his daughter to the Bhosales of Pune. Then this kind of opulence was only expected, right! And why wouldn’t he? He was also the king of Sindakhed, right! There is no dearth! Don’t you know? Lakhujirao was the owner of a small hill-size wealth. His daughter was blessed! She got married into a Pune family! Sindakhed on one side and Pune on the other. The varhadi water from Painaganga (river) was going to Pune! The name of Sindakhed had really become famous today!
In the clamour of auspicious instruments, bound by the marriage knot with Shahajiraje, in the soft tinkle of the toe-rings and anklets, walking down slowly like a swan, Jijau entered her own house – Bhosale house. Jijau came to Shahajiraje’s home. The couple was looking absolutely beautiful like Goddess Laxmi and Narayana himself. Other adult ladies in attendance appreciatingly did her aarti.
Jijau was looking really beautiful at this time. Any girl looks beautiful in marriage. It’s the brightness of marriage! But Jijau was originally beautiful. Bedecked in marriage attire on top of that. She was completely the Goddess Laxmi herself. Deep black hair, large forehead, chiselled eyebrows, amazingly glittering eyes, straight sharp nose, beautiful white teeth, pink lips, milky white neck, absolutely sculpted physique, sweet voice, loving speech, modest behaviour and serene smile. This was what she looked like.
She had been adorned with various types of ornaments. It was as if the ritual worship of Goddess Laxmi happened in reality. Her headdress was decorated with beautiful flowers. Jewellery had been used for decorating her hair too. The forehead was sporting a bejewelled star. Pearly ear-pieces were adorning the ears. Milky white neck was adorned with pearl-diamond necklaces. Beautiful amulets were adorning her arms. Bejewelled bangles were on her wrists. Fingers had rings encasing precious stones. Absolute Goddes Laxmi herself! No other likeness. And our Shahajiraje? Full manhood was his beauty.
The couple bowed down to Umabai after entering the house. The mother-in-law was happy. She was touched. Hugging her daughter-in-law in a tight embrace she blessed them profusely. She showered her appreciation on the couple. Vithojiraje also felt satisfied. He felt like this was the turn of Bhosale family’s destiny for the better.
Bhosale family was blessed. There was a new happiness in the air. Varhad’s (Berar) Rukmini had walked into Pune district with her golden feet.
Sharifjiraje was also married off soon afterwards. His spouse was the daughter of a genteel Maratha Sardar Vishwasrao. Her name was Durgabai. These two sisters-in-law made their husbands happy. Allayed their mother-in-law’s misery. And Umabai forgot her grief in the company of sons and daughters-in-law.
Vithojiraje had continuously and lovingly toiled for these children. He had maintained his own family as well. His wife was called Aaubai. He had a total of eight sons. They were named Sambhajiraje, Khelojiraje, Malojiraje, Mambajiraje, Nagojiraje, Parsojiraje, Tryambakjiraje and Kakkajiraje. All these Bhosale brothers were living amicably and lovingly around Vithojiraje.
To be continued…
NDHistories 