Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 1.2.5

1.2.5

"Victory brings fortune, death the celestial maids ; This body is but transient, What terror has then death in battle ?" Such is the course prescribed in the books of polity. Therefore it is right that we should fight. Now we should make one arrangement only. There are my son Sambhaji and my mother ; they should be kept at Rajgad. If I kill Afzal Khan and win victory, then I shall remain what I am. If perchance I lose my life in the course of the war, then there is Sambhaji Raje, deliver the kingdom to him and place yourselves at his commands." Leaving such instructions for an extreme case and exhorting everybody, he placed his head at his mother's feet and took leave of her. His mother blessed him, saying " Sivba thou shalt be victorious ! " Then the Raje started, after receiving such blessings, and went to Pratapgad. He instructed Netaji Palkar Sarnobat to come up the Ghats with his forces. And he said — " I shall invite Afzal Khan to Jawli, meet him by offering to make peace, and draw him near me by inspiring his confidence. You should then come to Ghat Matha and block the roads." Raghunath Ballal Sabnis was sent with him. And it was arranged that Moropant Pes'wa should take in his company Sham Rav Nilkanth and Trimbak Bhaskar and come from Konkan. In the meantime Krshnaji Pant came as envoy from the Khan. He was taken up to Pratapgad. The Raja had an interview with him. The Khan's message, as he had charged him, was delivered.