Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 32: Bhukhan the Poet.

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Ch. [88] While Bhukhan the poet was living with his brother Chintaman Kavi, who was a court poet of the Emperor of Delhi, some of the domestics remarked that Bhukan spent his time at home (without doing anything). The poet thereupon said that he would not live upon the bread of the Yavanas and left home. He went to the Raja of Kumaun, and lived at his court, diverting the Raja's mind with his poetry. The Raja honoured him highly and offered him a present of a lakh of Rupees when Bhukhan took leave to go home. But at the same time the Raja, in his pride, enquired whether there was another such liberal donor on the earth. The poet at once retorted that there were many such donors but the Raja must not have seen a recipient who scorned to touch a gift of a lakh of Rupees because it had been offered with a proud assertion. The poet then went to the Deccan. As the fame of Sivaji Maharaj had reached him, Bhukhan went to his court and saw the Raja. "If there is any enemy of the Yavanas I shall stay with him," said the poet, and the Maharaja replied that he was the death of the Muhammadans. Thereupon the poet remained in the Maharaja's court and charmed him with his poetry. He wrote a new book of verses, Siva Bhukhan (Siva Raj Bhushan) by name, inspired by the heroic deeds of the Raja. He spent about four to five years, pleasing the Maharaja every instant. Then he took leave of the Maharaja for going to Delhi and the Maharaja rewarded him with clothes, ornaments, elephants, horses, and jewels, with lakhs of Rupees, and insisted on his return. The poet promised to return soon and left for Delhi. The Badshah learnt that Bhukhan had come from Sivaji's court after receiving high honours there, and he ordered his (Bhukhan's) brother Chintaman to bring Bhukhan for an interview. Thereupon Chintaman said to his brother, — "My master wants you." "He is my master's enemy," answered Bhukhan, "Why should I seek an interview with him? Nothing but the praise of Sivaji's heroism will come out of my lips and that will cause the Badshah's anger." Chintaman entreated him much, and petitioned to the Emperor that the poet would come to see him but he would sing of Sivaji's brave exploits. If the Badshah permitted he would bring Bhukhan. Then the Badshah ordered him to bring Bhukhan. Chintaman thereupon took Bhukhan to the court and the interview took place. The Badshah asked the poet to sing something. Then the poet said, — "Wash your hands, I will sing some heroic songs and your hands will certainly go up to your moustache. Then the Emperor demanded his reasons for washing the hands and the poet answered, — "You are fond of love poems, and when my brother sings such songs your hand touches your trousers. Therefore you should wash your hands." Then the Badshah washed his hand saying, — "If my hand does not go up to my moustache I will have you beheaded." Then the poet began to recite heroic poems and first of all sang of Sivaji's heroism. Then the Badshah said, — "I am a Sarbabhaum, all the feudatory chiefs render tribute to me. Sing to this effect." Then the poet described all other kings as flowering trees and compared the Badshah with the black bee. But he likened Sivaji to a Champaka tree for the black bee does not even touch a Champaka. Then the Badshah again demanded the reasons for making him wash his hands. The poet recited six excellent stanzas. When the poet was reciting the seventh, the Badshah, in his excitement, suddenly raised his hand to his moustache. The poet finished his song there, and the Emperor was highly pleased and rewarded him with clothes, jewels and elephants. He honoured the poet (in this manner). The news of this incident was transmitted to the Maharaja by his envoy at Delhi, and he was highly pleased, and ordered the poet to come back and had him brought. In this way did the Maharaja test each man like jewels and promoted and kept them.