Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 10: Household Officers.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 10
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Household Officers.
10.1
(1) Hiroji Farzand, (2) Babaji Ghadge, (3) Baji Kadam, (4) Mudhoji Sarakhvas, (5) Suryaji Malsure, (6) Mahadji Naik Pansambal. These noble men were summoned (to his bedside) and (the Raje) said to them, — "The term of my life has expired. I am going to Kailas to see the Sri. Feeling that my body was growing weak, I said to my eldest son Sambhaji — 'You two are my sons. I am dividing the kingdom between you, and you two should live in amity.' So I said. But the eldest son Sambhaji Raje did not listen to (this counsel). It seems my end has come. Puna was only a Mahal of 40,000 Hons., since then I, Sivaji, have founded a kingdom of one kror of Hons. I have built these forts and strongholds, organised (an army of) cavalry and infantry, but I do not see such a son as will protect this kingdom after me. If the younger prince Rajaram lives, he will extend this kingdom. Sambhaji Raje, the eldest son, is conversed (in politics) but he is free of tongue and unwise. What should be done under the circumstances? I am departing. You are old Karkuns and Maratha officers of this kingdom. These things must be known to you. After me Sambhaji Raje will take the whole kingdom in hand with great power, and the army will hail him as Sambhaji Raje is the elder, and follow him. As Rajaram is younger, the army will not join him. The Sarkarkuns will side with Rajaram and propose a partition of the two kingdoms between the two brothers.
10.2
But ultimately the Marathas of the army will not support the counsel of the Karkuns. At last, (Sambhaji) will arrest all the Sarkarkuns [103] after inspiring their confidence. Sambhaji Raje will murder many of the great Brahmans of our time. He will commit Brahmanicide. Then he will murder, arrest and dishonour the Maratha officers of the army. Men of low standing and slaves will be promoted while men of rank will be degraded. Sambhaji will indulge in intoxicating drugs, smoke ganja and practise debauchery. The forts and strongholds will (be suffered to) remain without commanders and the kins will not look after their welfare. He will squander the revenue and all his wealth. He will ruin the whole kingdom. Aurangzib will march from Delhi on hearing of the evil propensities of Sambhaji. The Mughal will annex Bijapur and Bhaganagar. (They) will take this kingdom also. And at length Sambhaji will be betrayed. As after Malik Ambar, his son Fate Khan ruined the Nizam Shah's kingdom when he took up the government, so will Sambhaji ruin this kingdom. Then Rajaram will take up the administration and recover the lost kingdom. He will be more powerful than myself. So much about the qualities of my sons. Sambhaji will spare none of the older Karkuns of my time. Of them (Karkuns) Prahlad Pant, son of Niraji Pant, and Ramchandra Pant, son of Nilo Pant, these two Brahmans will acquire great power. Nilo Pant, the son of the Pradhan will also be a man of note.
10.3
Some other besides these may also acquire fame. Of the Marathas, many will be ruined by Sambhaji. Of the survivors, if Santaji Ghorpade, and Bahirji Ghorpade and Dhanaji Jadhava live, they will perform many brave exploits. The ruined kingdom will be recovered by these three Brahmans and these three Marathas." So said (the Raje). The Raje spoke like this. Everyone's throat was choked and tears began to flow from (every) eye. A great sorrow overcame them. Then the Raje said, — "You should not be bewildered. This is but a mortal world. Many were born before us (but) they are all gone. You should keep your mind unsullied by sorrow. You should all stay outside now. I will meditate on the Sri." So saying he made them all sit outside. And the Raje (caused to be) brought Bhagirathi water and bathed in it. Besmearing the body with ash, (he) [104] put on rudraksha. Then by the performance of Yoga, he took his soul to the Brahmand (sic) and made it depart by bursting open all the ten gates (of the body). This happened at Raygad about the second prahar on Sunday, the Suddha 15th of Chaitra in the year 1602 of the Salivahana Saka era, the Samvatsar being Raudra by name. The messengers of Siva then came with a heavenly car, (the Raje) ascended it and went to Kailas. The material body alone was left in the mortal world.
10.4
On the day of the Raje's death there was an earthquake. A comet appeared in the sky and meteors were showered from heaven. At night double rainbows became visible. All the eight directions assumed a fiery appearance. The water of the Sri Sambhu Mahadev tank became blood red. The fishes leaped out of the water and the water became fishless. These evil omens took place. Then the Raje's body was burnt with sandal wood and bel wood. The queens, the Karkuns and the household officers all said that Rajaram, the younger son, should perform the necessary rites. Everybody lamented the loss. Rajaram also lamented much. Then it was settled that the funeral rites should be performed by the younger son. The elder son Sambhaji Raje was not present at that time. Consequently the younger son performed the rites. This is the biography of the Raje from the time of his birth to that of his death.
10.5
The Raje was a veritable incarnation born (in this earth), and performed many brave exploits. His authority was invoked from the (banks of the) Narmada to Ramesvar. He conquered these provinces and defeated (the armies) and annexed the territories of the four Badshahis (on land), viz., the Adilsahi, the Kutubsahi, the Nizamsahi and the Mughlai, and the twenty-two Badshahs of the sea. A new kingdom was founded and the Maratha Badshah became a (duly) enthroned Lord of the Umbrella (Chhatrapati). By a voluntary death he went to Kailas. None like this was born before him, and none will be born in the future. Such is the account of the Maharaja (and) you should know this. Whoever will copy this account of the Raje of holy memory and keep the manuscript in his house will have unlimited good fortune. He who will read it will acquire great merit. The sonless will be blessed with sons, the poor with riches, the unlucky will acquire fame and holiness and bravery. Those who have sons will have more, and those who are rich will have more good fortune [105]. Those who are already famous will be conquerors of the world. In this manner will every one's desire be fulfilled. Understand it well. This bakhar is finished. The account was finished on the Suddha Pratipada day of Chaitra in the year 1616 of the Salivahana era, the Samvatsar being Isvara by name, at Jinji. I submit this for your information. What more should I write? (with respectful submission). Finis.