SHAHAJI-JIJAU’S MARRIAGE

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…

SINDAKHED RAJA

Malojiraje died. The splendour of Bhosale family seemed to die out. Nobody is indeed big or small in front of Yamaraj.

Around seventeen-and-half Ruk (probably an old unit of measurement of area) land was granted for the upkeep of Malojiraje’s Samadhi at Indapur.

The next challenge troubling Vithojiraje was of the Pune district Jagir belonging to Malojiraje. He was afraid that the Sultan and Malik Ambar would work together to take the Jagir away from Bhosale family. Because Shahajiraje was just five years old. 

Father dead. Son too young. So, it was clear that the Jagir would be taken back by the Sultan. But Vazir Malik Ambar was too foresighted for that. He calculated that, ‘Vithoji Bhosale was a brave man. He would take care of the Jagir. Malojiraje’s Jagir should continue in Shahajiraje’s name as is. Bhosale family was immensely efficient and courageous. They needed to be nurtured. They would come handy in wars. If Shahajiraje grows up to be a brave man then fine. Else the Jagir would continue until Vithoji was alive, and then we would take it back.’ Thus, he decided to keep the Jagir intact.

Sultan Nizamshah himself ordered Vithoji for a personal audience. Accordingly, Vithoji along with his two nephews went to the court. Sultan Nizamshah personally consoled them. ‘Raje Maloji Bhosale’s death had reduced the splendour of the Royal Throne itself. Malojiraje was excellent with the sword. But no words could stand before fate.’ Sultan completed the consolation ceremony perfunctorily. And he completed the ritual of being a part of the family’s grief.

Shahenshah Badshah was immensely compassionate. He conferred upon Shahajiraje the grants of the Jagir and bade them farewell. Shahajiraje became Nizamshahi’s Jagirdar at the age of five years.

Vithojiraje started taking care of the Pune and Supe Jagirs. He was also attentive towards the upbringing of all the children of the household. The boys started growing up. Infancy finished. Childhood came. Childhood also started fading. Teenage arrived. Shahajiraje with his broad chest, meaty shoulders, glittering eyes, strong arms and hooked nose also started growing a fuzzy moustache. Thirteen years’ milestone went past. Raje was slowly becoming an expert in all kinds of arms.

Vithojiraje and Umabai started thinking of getting both the sons married off. Malojiraje had a great desire to establish relations with Sindakhed’s Lakhuji Jadhavrao. He had spotted a very smart and witty star in Jadhavrao’s household. He was very intent on getting this girl as his daughter-in-law. But that desire remained unfulfilled. The boat sank midway. Malojiraje went to heaven in the middle of the married life.

Lakhujiraje Jadhavrao of Sindakhed was a very big name in Nizamshahi. He owned the Jagir of twenty-seven mahals (old unit of measurement of area). Besides Sindakhed, Mehkar, Sakharkherda etc. private mahals were also part of his own watan-grant. Jadhavrao had established the grandeur of his Jagir by building big stately mansions at Sindakhed and Deulgaon. His presiding deity was Balaji. He had maintained Balaji’s temple quite well. He also owned a tough fortress in Deulgaon. Lakhuji was the commander of twelve-thousand men in the army. Sindakhed was a bustling town. Jadhavrao had wealth. Rights to keep cavalry. He commanded respect. He even owned a few elephants. But God had also blessed him with a very important treasure. This treasure was his daughter Jijau.

This daughter of Jadhavrao was indeed beautiful and virtuous. As if a golden flame fluttering in a traditional golden lamp. Agile, delicate, beautiful, serene, and equally bright flame. She was the darling daughter of Lakhuji Jadhavrao. Jijau! How would Jijau look beside a smiling Shahajiraje? Like Uttara basides Abhimanyu. Jijau was a daughter born of Goddess Laxmi herself!

Vithojiraje broached the subject of this relation with Jadhavrao. The lilt of Shehnai (Clarinet) filled the air. Lakhuji Jadhavrao was on seventh heaven. He was very happy seeing that he was getting a pure-gold son-in-law in Shahajiraje. Everybody got busy in the marriage arrangements. So many things to do. Jadhavrao invited his astrologer. Astrologer came. The family Purohit was also consulted. Bhosale and Jadhav family elders sat together for discussion. Both asked for an opportune auspicious date. Astrologers put down the calculations of nine planets, stars and dates. He carried on some calculations in his mind. Considering opportune angles, he provided a good auspicious date. Everybody’s forehead was glowing with the tilaks. Auspicious Kumkum was everywhere. Thresholds of houses were adorned with Ganapati idols.

To be continued…

MALOJIRAJE DIES

Maloji’s wife’s name was Umabai. This Umabai of Malojiraje, was daughter of a big famous Sardar. She was the daughter of Phaltan’s Naik Nimbalkar family. Umabai’s nature was extremely loving. She was equally religious, calm and generous. Equally devoted to her husband as well. Umabai’s brother Wanangapal alias Wangoji Naik Nimbalkar was a great man. He was a Sardar in Bijapur’s Adilshahi court. People awed by his bravery used to say, he was better than twelve Vazirs. Such was Umabai’s family.

But Malojiraje and Umabai had one problem for many days. They didn’t have any child! The couple kept asking for a child to all the Gods they visited. Umabai was very religious.

Raje and Umabai used to worship Lord Shiva, and perform various vows and lent to gain an offspring. Umabai was also devoted to various Saints and Sadhus. She had also promised something to Ahmednagar’s Shah Sharif Pir. Her one and only demand to all the Gods was, she should become a mother of a great child!

And soon she became pregnant. Both were happy. The King of the Shikhar (Shingnapur) – (Shiva) Shambhu was satisfied with them. She gave birth to a son (around 1600 AD). The son was very handsome and healthy. He was named ‘Shahaji Raje’. Malojiraje performed a lot of charity on childbirth. He celebrated the birth as well.

Two years went past and they had a second son. He was named Sharifji. Shahaji and Sharifji were the two names after the Pir Shaha Sharif of Ahmednagar. Umabai’s lap was filled with bliss.

These happy days were slowly flying away like cotton. Malojiraje was happy in the company of his kids. Shahaji Raje became five years old. He was a very handsome and bright looking child. Sharifji Raje was three years old at this time.

These royal looking kids had topped Malojiraje and Umabai’s domestic bliss with sugar. Both of them were feeling completely satisfied. These Bhosale sons were growing slowly but surely like Ram-Laxman. Vithojiraje’s household also was content. He had been blessed with quite a few children. These children had created a sense of belonging and attachment in the whole family. And the same level of attachment had been created in the Pune district towards the Bhosale household. This course of love was flowing over Pune, as if a spring of water would burst forth over rocky red soil. People were blessing the Bhosales all the time.

Malojiraje had also grown up in stature at the Nizamshahi court. The court also had many other Maratha Sardars. But Malojiraje had slightly different notions about his own people and religion as compared to other Sardars. Rest of them kept busy in royal service. For the rest, worship was only limited to demanding something from God and fulfilling their promise upon getting the demand satisfied.

Malojiraje had kept the Pune district’s people happy. Umabai and the subjects were really lucky. But…! A soldier’s life is really difficult. He is constantly encamped on the border of life and death. Nizamshah sent a sudden order one day to Malojiraje. There is one campaign planned, start immediately!

Raje stopped midway through his lunch. Ordered the horses to be made ready. Malojiraje started the preparations. He wore armour, tied all his other arms on his war attire and picked up his favourite bow. He sought God’s blessings. Accepted farewell from the family, and dug his heels into the horse’s side. Raje went on the campaign.

He went! But never came back! There was a battle at Indapur, and Malojiraje was killed in it! This bright star fell down as suddenly as it had risen! The good luck of Umabai and Pune district collapsed. A shadow had come and went. Finally, a great Maratha was sacrificed at the altar of the competition of the two Sultans (around 1605 AD). Malojiraje was no more!

Umabai decided to commit Sati (self-immolation) after him. Shahajiraje and Sharifjiraje were just five and three years old respectively that time. Who should console whom? Vithoji had lost his Shriram. He was extremely grieved. Even in that condition, he said to his sister-in-law who had decided to self-immolate,

“Vahini, Raje has left all of us orphans. Now we need to console ourselves. This world is impermanent. This body is perishable. It has to end one day, whatever protection you put around it. Vahini, look at your children. They are like just risen Sun and Moon. Their brightness is yet to be realised. Both are so young. Their life is dependent upon you. They won’t even survive one second without you. Please listen to me! Be patient! At least don’t go Sati, looking at your children! Stay back! For the love of your children! For their welfare!”

Vithojiraje tried to console her very much. Requested her. Umabai was also devoted to her husband, very adamant, but she also put this misery behind her. She quit her insistence on going Sati.

And Malojiraje’s ashes were entombed in a Samadhi at Indapur.

To be continued…

JAGIRDAR OF PUNE & SUPE

Maloji gave the new-found wealth to Sheshappa for safekeeping, and started spending it slowly, small amounts at a time. He started the restoration work of Ghrishneshwar temple. He also started rebuilding of the Sheval Teertha there. He ensured continuous Abhisheka on the deity accompanied by the Laghurudra chants. Lamps were lit. Fragrance started wafting around. Maloji and Vithoji performed an excellent restoration of the Ghrishneshwar temple. Maloji also incised an inscription on the temple wall, ‘Your Servants Maloji Babaji and Vithoji Babaji Bhosale.’

The brothers appointed Verul’s Timanbhat s/o Damodarbhat Shedge as the temple priest for daily Abhisheka and rituals.

After this, Maloji ordered able men to start digging an artificial tank on the Shikhar Shingnapur hill for the Shiva temple. Rocks started giving way in front of the blows. They found groundwater. The square built tank filled completely with water. Every one of the devotees started remembering the Bhosale brothers while drinking that sweet cold elixir. The number of devotees in the seasonal devotional visits to Shingnapur started increasing. Bhosale brothers felt a sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Shortly, the tank was ready. On the same hill, there was an ascetic who used to live there serving the deity. His name was Godadswami. Swami was an ascetic and a complete devotee. The earth beneath his feet and the sky above his head was his only home. Maloji’s attention got drawn to his naked body. He built a Math (monastery) for the Swami beside his tank. The righteous man got shelter. Maloji felt that every pilgrim should eat a bellyful and drink sweet water, and only then should start on his return journey. His heart was very big. Genteel, magnanimous. Just like the tank he got dug. Maloji arranged for daily distribution of food-grain sufficient for bellyful of food for five needy guests to the temple.

Both these brothers donated horticultural, irrigated lands as income, for the arrangement of Ananda-Siddha Ghrishneshwar Jyotirlinga temple’s daily rituals and lighting lamps there. They also made similar arrangements for many other temples. They built big stone ramparts with huge gates for each of them. They built watering tanks, caravan sarais and wells at these religious places. Maloji performed many such charitable acts. His fame as a religious man, became more pronounced and began to spread. People began to sing his praises.

While doing these religious duties, Maloji had kept a close watch on the sword as well. He collected armed Maratha youth under his command. Started maintaining a stable (cavalry). Maloji became armed and armoured. He employed wise, dutiful, and loyal Brahmins as stewards. He left the administration of the production from his granted land to them. Collecting such people around oneself at that time was a challenge in itself. Normally such a person would be termed a rebel. But at this time, the Mughal campaigns had troubled Nizamshahi a lot. One very powerful enemy was trying to capture the Nizamshahi of Ahmednagar for himself. At this time, Nizamshah and his Vazir Malik Ambar themselves needed men to fight. Sultan heard about Maloji. Hearing that one well-built, genteel Maratha was maintaining a cavalry on his own and is equally brave, Nizamshah himself sent a firman (royal order) to join the employ. His Vazir, Mamalqat Madar Yakut Malik Ambar Genghis Khani was a very wise, diplomatic and foresighted Abyssinian fighter.

Immediately Maloji went to Daulatabad and stood in front of Nizamshah. Vithoji followed suit. The Sultan granted the Jagir of Pune and Supe Parganas to them, and asked them to join his employ. This Jagir amounted to five-thousand soldiers. Malojiraje was now in control of a region of land. Raje decided on a policy of making use of whatever he received in his own way. He had got a brother like Vithoji who was always supportive like Lakshman. Malik Ambar through his own benevolence granted some more small villages to Malojiraje. And his wealth increased so much that soon he was able to afford elephants.

With wealth however, Maloji’s devotion towards God and his people did not decrease even one bit. The Maratha public in his Jagir were happy as if sitting in a cool shadow of a Banyan tree. Raje maintained the population of the Parganas well. Held an umbrella of love over his subjects. He supported them. He used to feel, he should continue his benevolence as much as possible. Because the Sultan’s whims were well-known. Which way they would turn was impossible to predict! Sultans were ungrateful. They would support until they had the utility. Once it was finished, they would hang the servant.

To be continued…

MALOJIRAJE BHOSALE

Although he remained a namesake Raje, Babaji continued to perform usual charity, family rituals, and ancestral activities in such a manner, that in it the ‘kingship’ of the Bhosales would reflect like a fading rainbow. Babajiraje Bhosale had donated 11 Chawar (local unit of land measurement) land to his family purohit (Dt 25 December 1597), and had mentioned himself as ‘Raje’ in that land-grant. The original brilliance had not completely vanished even in decline.

Maloji and Vithoji had become experts in wielding weapons and riding horses. But their horses were roaming around only in the Patilki-grant regions. Both their arms were quivering with ambition. They felt like displaying their might, to add more land to their control, to establish temples and religion; to renovate the decrepit Ghrishneshwar temple.

But where would they display their prowess? For whom?

Maloji’s devoted, utmost religious heart saw the ambitious thoughts germinate. His heart did not have the thirst of consumption. He was fervent with the desire to perform religious and utilitarian works. His heart was dripping with this lofty motive. Maloji was a devout worshipper of Lord Shiva and Goddess Bhavani. He used to observe a fast on Mondays. Without performing his worship, offering homage and drinking the God’s teertha, he never ate food or even drank water. He was also a devotee of Pir Sheikh Mohammed of Shrigonda. He had become a sworn disciple of Pir Sheikh Mohammed. This Pir was a great ascetic. Originally a butcher by caste. But he threw away the butchering knife and picked up cymbals for worshipping Vitthala. How did this happen? How can the jackfruit turn sweet? How could the coconut hold water? Exactly like that.

Looking at the decrepit condition of the Ghrisneshwar temple, Maloji’s heart felt piercing pain. He used to visit Shikhar Shingnapur also. Even that deity was so sacred, pure. Somnath of Saurashtra had come down to the Maan country and had halted at Shikhar Shingnapur. He too was the guardian deity of the Bhosales. But he was also in such a bad condition. The devotees lining up for the darshan did not even get drinking water there! People almost died of thirst. Maloji could not see those thirsty faces. He used to feel, that he should give these people potable drinking water. He used to think that he should remove the things causing inconvenience, problems and trouble at all such religious places. But how would he do it? That needed tons of money. To maintain it all after putting it in place would also need power. Where could one get such amount of money? And power? But still his heart and mind did not give up these dreams. He was the king of his own reverie for now!

And one day an awesome thing happened! While digging in the field Maloji and Vithoji’s mattocks hit a metallic sound! Surprise! They removed the topsoil and found a big cauldron! Yellow wealth was laughing at them from beneath a layer of soil. Maloji’s eyes could not believe it. Immense wealth! Maloji had found underground treasure. Lord & Mother, Shiva & Parvati had blessed him! His joy knew no bounds. His eyes started seeing tribute to Ghrishneshwar. Ghrishneshwar, Shingnapur! Artificial tank of drinking water! Charity! Now he could do all those things!

Both pulled the cauldron out. Goddess of wealth, Laxmi’s feet were heard. And Maloji’s heart was resounding with the sounds of Ghrishneshwar’s bells and horses’ hooves!

But then came an important challenge. Where would they keep so much wealth? How would they take care of it! Immediately Maloji remembered his close friend. Sheshappa Naik Punde of Shrigonda. Maloji and Sheshappa were the closest of friends. Generations old close relationship. Equally trusted. He decided, this wealth would be better kept at Sheshappa’s house. His fist was almost a fortress. There won’t be a single drop of leakage from it. Maloji confided with Sheshappa in solitude. Sheshappa felt overwhelmed with joy. Maloji said, ‘Naik, now you have to take care of this burden. I will take away as and when I need it.’ Naik accepted the risk lovingly. He was a big moneylender in the Shrigonda market. And his dwelling also was safe and secure.

To be continued…

IN THE FIELDS OF VERUL

It was a very old ancient temple. People used to say, the Pandavas had built it when they were in their forest exile. Some others used to say, it was built by the Lord of Ayodhya, Shriram in his exile. Actually, nobody knew who had built it! But it was ancient for sure. Whether it was built in forest exile or while living in proper houses, was known to the deity Himself! But currently the deity Himself was facing a forced forest exile. Temple had become decrepit. During Devagiri’s prosperous days He had been bathed in milk. Golden lamps were kept burning continuously around Him. The sanctum used to resonate with the solemn chants of the Rudra Stuti. Long time in the past, this Neelkanth Ghrishneshwar had consumed the terrible poison for the welfare of other Gods, and to sooth the burning sensation in his throat, he had found solace in that calm, cold, and fragrant temple. His burning sensation had quieted down there.

But those lamps had extinguished. The burning sensation of Ghrishneshwar had risen up again. The beautiful temple had begun to break down. It was cracked. It had gone decrepit. The flowers had dried up. The milk to be used for consecration had dried up.

That Ghrishneshwar temple was such a prosperous temple! It was one of the twelve Jyotirlingas spread across the whole India. Like the Somnath temple from Prabhaspattan in Saurashtra, this was Ghrishneshwar at Verul near Devagiri. The Himalaya, who used to live in the arrogance of his own wealth, and who used to tease Parvati, would also become jealous of wealth of his son-in-law at Ghrishneshwar.

But all that had finished now. Somnath had been broken to pieces. And Ghrishneshwar’s plight was no better. Ghrishneshwar’s devotees were burning in the hellfire of slavery even more terrible than poison. Fire beneath, fire above, fire on all sides! Heads were being tossed like popcorn. Not one or two, but for three hundred years. Sun and moon were rising and setting in the dark.

But there was one wonderful thing. One person used to always visit the temple. Well-built body, countenance filled with devotion. His attire was of a true Maratha, and behaviour was like a resolute, genteel man. He used to enter that decrepit Shiva temple on the fallow plateau, with a very heavy heart. He looked aggrieved at the plight of Ghrishneshwar.

‘What terrible state is this! What is the use of my manhood and devotion! Shouldn’t I be able to keep this great Shiva temple also secure? Couldn’t its decrepit condition be repaired at my hands?’

His face betrayed such sad emotions quite clearly. His heart used to flutter like an injured bird. In that passionate emotion he kept asking for something. His demand was known only to that Ghrishneshwar. But it sure was ambitious.

This was a regular feature. With him, another man, slightly younger than him, but exactly like him, used to bow down to Ghrishneshwar in the hope of blessing, and with a secret ambition. Both were brothers. The elder was named Maloji and younger Vithoji. They were sons of Verul’s Babaji Patil Bhosale. Their whole life till date had been spent in Verul’s fields, and on the banks of Bhima river. Babaji Bhosale was Patil for ten surrounding villages. His ancestors had earned these Patil rights. It meant they had purchased these rights. Babaji Bhosale ran his own farming household and the Patilki rights of Deulgaon, Hingni, Beradi, Jinti etc. villages on the banks of Bhima river in Pune district, and Verul, Vavi, Mungi, Bansendre villages in the erstwhile Yadav region. He was a farmer and a Patil, but used to call themselves ‘Raje’. Babajiraje Bhosale. He used to honestly believe in the ancestral tradition that he was a descendant of Prabhu Ramachandra. That he was a Rajput. He had a direct bloodline stretching up to Udaipur’s Rana Pratap Singh’s Sisodia clan. He used to believe that Rana Lakshman Singh who died with his seven sons in the siege of Chittorgarh fighting with Allauddin, was the original progenitor of his bloodline. He was very proud of this. Actually, it was true-blue Kshatriya blood, but they had been forced towards farming in the slavery. The sword had been left hanging at home. Raje had become just an epithet without a kingdom.

To be continued…