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Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 44: II.

Siva Chhatrapati (S. N. Sen) 44

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44

S.D. [287] Vyankaji Raje was at Tanjore. Finding that he was behaving improperly, Raghunath Pant Hanmante counselled him in the following manner, — "Both Sivaji Maharaj and yourself are Sahaji Raje's sons. You know how Sivaji Maharaj has of his own valour founded a kingdom [288] and won renown. You are his brother and should keep up the reputation (of the family). This is our earnest hope, and we, your hereditary servants, are here for this purpose." When he had said this the Raja got fiercely angry.
Then Hanmante began another speech with folded hands and in a voice audible to all present, — "Through our co-operation has the kingdom been extended. We have always done what is to your good and will do so in future. Sivaji has a share in this property. He has not demanded it so long, as the Maharaja cannot be present everywhere, but he is represented by his servants. Then why should he dishonour you ? He does not therefore demand his share still. As he is just, so should be you. It is not good to enlist Muhammadans. Keep only a few where necessary. You should so behave as if you too are a part incarnation for the protection of the Hindus. You should listen to the counsel of your servants like us, treat the subjects as your children, love everyone and revile none. Collect wealth, entertain brave men in your service, give up the wrong path and pursue the right one. Be a Krtanta in punishing the bad and to the good be a protector like Samb (Sambhu). I am not one of those servants who always follow every whim of yours and flatter you as the Maharaja. What is good we will call good ; but what is bad we will condemn as bad. Without taking it ill, you should give your consent to what is profitable. I shall not accept any dissent because Sahaji Raje never went against what we did. You should have more regard for our counsel than he had. If we advise the wrong way do not listen to us on any account, but why should you not listen when it is good counsel ? If you listen, well and good ; but it depends on your sweet will whether you should or should not. But we are not servants of the ordinary sort. [289] If we go somewhere else then we will have you seated on half of our seat or we will occupy half of your seat.