Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 43: Vyankaji and Raghunath Narayan.
Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 43
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Vyankaji and Raghunath Narayan.
43.1
Ch. [131] Naro Pant's son, Raghunath Narayan, was a learned man of great intelligence and ability. After Sahaji's death he conducted the administration, preserved the estate and made considerable addition to the treasury. So long as Vyankaji Raje was a minor he was guided by him. But afterwards though he had little power and application, Vyankaji aspired to take the Government into his own hands. But he was wanting in intelligence and could not act as instructed. So he began to dislike the doings of the Karbharis and great men and promoted low people and listened to their advice. Thereupon Raghunath Pant perceived that it would be difficult to maintain the influence won by his father in the service of Vyankaji. It was true that Vyankaji was his master, but the power and influence of Sivaji Maharaj was daily increasing and he too was an owner of the kingdom. He might therefore blame Raghunath. It appeared fit to Raghunath that he should remain indifferent (to worldly matters) performing baths and prayers and live at holy places. But it would be a stain on his faithful service, if the kingdom suffered any diminution while he was still alive. Therefore Raghunath decided to offer Vyankaji some counsel. So he began to watch the Raje's doings indifferently, and when the Raje did something wrong he admonished him in the following manner. — "Raje Saheb! We are your ancestral servants. We know that it is beneficial to us to bring about your good and we work to that end.
43.2
But you do not think well of our work. It is not good that you keep the company of low people. As your father earned celebrity, [132] so has your brother Sivaji Raje extended his fame all over the world by the extension of his kingdom. As you are his brother, you too should do similar things, or Sivaji Raje will complain that nothing was done although I was near you. You should accept our service and it is our duty to serve you. Although you have men and money at your command you are idly wasting your wealth at the hands of unfit men. One can justify one's birth in a celebrated family only by acquiring more fame than his ancestors." In this way did he admonish him, but his counsel had no effect on Vyankaji Raje and he went on treating him (Raghunath) with greater slight. Even his good counsels appeared to Vyankaji as bad. Thereupon Raghunath wrote everything to the Maharaja and the Maharaja wrote the following letter, — "You are indifferent (to state affairs). You are paying your men for nothing without making any exertion (for conquest). Father gathered able and faithful men, you slight them. This is not proper." But low people had greatly confused his judgment. The Pant then thought,- "We have eaten his bread from the time of my father. Therefore it is not proper to wish evil of him.
43.3
It is therefore well to go to Sivaji Raje, his elder brother and an (equal) owner of the kingdom." After he had made this decision Vyankaji once rejected his counsel and told him that he was nothing but a servant and should do as he was ordered. "It is true, Oh Raje! that I am your servant," Raghunath Pant promptly retorted, — "But if I leave your service I am fit to occupy half your seat." The retort was very galling to Vyankaji. Then the Pant took leave of his family. "I shall see Sivaji Raje," thought he, — "What I have asserted here in course of my speech I should verify by my deeds." "But," he thought, "It will be disgraceful to carry out my threat by making an alliance with the Palegars and thereby causing harm to the kingdom. Sivaji Raje is very fond of conquering new dominions and he is making new annexations every day. I should go to him." So decided Raghunath. But as he was an old servant of Sivaji's father, he did not feel it proper to meet him without accomplishing any thing. Sivaji respected diplomatic achievements. Therefore Raghunath decided to go with projects about the southern principalities and matured his plans about Jinji and other places. He decided to place this kingdom under the new Raja and with more diplomatic projects left Karnatak for going to the Maharaja.
43.4
At that time the Pant argued in his mind that the kingdom of Bijapur was greatly loosened and repressed, but the kingdom of Bhaganagar lay on the Maharaja's way to Karnatak. This would appear as a difficulty to the success of the project and the Pant therefore came near Bhaganagar with the intention of effecting a friendly alliance with the Bhaganagar Government (by diplomacy). Akanna and Madanna Pant were acting as wazirs there with sole power (of administration). How to meet them? Madanna Pant used to entertain Brahman scholars with great honour if they went to his house. Raghunath Pant kept all his attendants at a distance of ten cosses or thereabout and went to Madanna Pant's place early in the morning at the time of his morning bath and prayer, disguised as a Brahman scholar, as he expected in this manner to gain his purpose before his project became known.
43.5
Madanna Pant was a very great man, devoted to the Brahmans, and given to charitable and religious deeds. He always fed a lakh of people and never took his meal until he heard from his guest house that every one there had done so. He faithfully observed this practice as was well known in the city. When Raghunath went to his place, the assembled scholars were debating about the rival claims of Siva and Vishnu to the superior position among gods. Raghunath Pant, though himself a Vaishnava, espoused the cause of Siva and established his supremacy to the satisfaction of all. When Vishnu's party was thus weakened, he turned to their side and established the supremacy of Vishnu. Then he pointed out the defects of the doctrine of duality and proved the validity of the doctrine of unity. Madanna Pant was highly pleased with him and honoured and praised him as a great scholar. "You are a great man Oh sir! Whence have you come? Please order whatever you may require," so said Madanna. And Raghunath then answered, — "I do not want money, nor do I hanker after land, rent free villages or a living. You are a virtuous man and well versed in the Sastras. My only desire is to have a private discussion with you for four ghatikas only." Then Anna took the Pant to a private place and the latter said, — "I am not a begging scholar but a servant of Sivaji Maharaj. Raghunath Pant [134] is my name.
43.6
Some diplomatic projects about Karnatak have been submitted to the Maharaja, and he intends to see some places in his provinces. He wants to visit the province of Tanjore. I have been desired to see you and bring about a friendly alliance with your empire, so that you may be of use to him when need arises, and similarly he may be of service to you in time of need. With this intent I have come. You are devoted to religion, and to uphold that religion is the ambition of the Maharaja; you should therefore help and assist him. You should effect friendship between him and your master without any loss of honour on the part of the latter." Madanna Pant was highly pleased with Raghunath Pant. The Pant's speech and arguments were convincing, and in this manner did they meet. He was already acquainted with the Maharaja's fame and had also heard of the Pant. Madanna Pant now listened to him with more honour and attention than before and swore that eternal amity should be established. After settling that the aims of both the parties should be fulfilled, Madanna detained Raghunath and brought his attendants. It was arranged that Sivaji should see the Badshah on his way to Karnatak and the Pant was then dismissed.