Shri Shiv Chatrapati Caritr 48: Coronation.

48

[According to Sivadigvijaya the coronation was necessitated by the attitude of some old Maratha Sardars like Sirke, Mohite and Mahadik, who refused to sit below Sivaji even in his Kachari, claiming equality in rank and family honour from old customs (pp. 406-408). It was Balaji Avji who had advised the ceremonial coronation, p. 407.]
S.D. [410] "Then arrange for the chhatra sinhasan ceremony," observed the Raja, and Balaji said, — "All right, Your Majesty." There were four Brahmans who had seen and heard of some of the necessary performances, and they were asked to bring together their several knowledge of the ceremony and to counsel how to prepare for it. But they said that there was at Kasi, a Brahman of very great attainments, Gaga Bhatta, who resembled the Sun itself in his power and austerities and seemed to be the personification of the Vedas. "Somebody," they said, "should be sent to him, and if preparations were made according to his directions, there would be none to object to the ceremony. So he should be consulted." Thereupon Balaji Baba submitted to the Maharaja that there was a very great Kasi Brahman named Gaga Bhatta, somebody should be sent to him to obtain from him the Sastrik injunctions and that it would be well to get the ceremony performed by him. The Maharaja was highly pleased and commissioned Balaji Baba to despatch a Karkun to Kasi and to pay what money was necessary from the treasury. Ram Chandra Babaji was accordingly sent. He went with the Maharaja's letter and explained his mission. Thereupon the Bhatta replied that he would answer after proper deliberation. Several Brahmans of the place, great and small, were accordingly consulted, and the Bhatta answered that only the Kshatriyas were entitled to chhatra and sinhasan, the Sudras were not. * * * * For a year and a half Ramchandra Babaji pleaded that there were so many Sudra kings without any knowledge of Kshatriya rites, but to no avail. Thereupon Balaji Avji wrote to Ramchandra to enquire on what grounds the chhatra and sinhasan had been conferred on the Udayapur royal-family, with whom the Raja was connected. * * * *
The Maharaja however remarked "How is it that one who does good to the subjects and establishes the religion should have no right (to chhatra and sinhasan). He who has power is really a king. Are not many kings of low origin enjoying sovereignty ? In what respects do they behave like the Kshatriyas ?