A History of the Mahrattas v1.c16.18

v1.c16.18

After a month spent at Hyderabad, Sivajee, having concluded his arrangements, marched due south and crossed the Kistna at the Neorootey Sungum,⁴ twenty-five miles below Kurnoul, about the month of March. Whilst his troops advanced slowly by the route of Kuddapah, Sivajee, with a body of cavalry, struck off to the eastward for the purpose of visiting the temple of Purwuttum,⁵ where he performed many penances. At last he was worked up into such a state of enthusiasm as to draw his sword for the purpose of sacrificing himself to the Deity, when it is pretended he was saved by the direct interposition of the goddess Bhowanee, by whose inspiration Sivajee, on this occasion, uttered one of his many prophecies; and whilst the Deity, through him, declared the necessity of his yet remaining to perform many great services for the Hindoo faith, she announced the splendid conquests that were to be immediately achieved in the Carnatic.¹