New History of the Marathas v1.c16.25

v1.c16.25

When did Shivaji and Rāmdās first come together? Both had their field of activity in Mahārāshtra and must have heard and learnt of each other for a good long time before they had a personal meeting. Such a meeting presupposes that the two may have an intimate contact together, long quiet talks and mutual discussions so as to influence each other's future plans. There is no evidence nor any likelihood that such a purposeful and consultative meeting between Shivaji and Rāmdās took place before the known one of April 1672 (Chaitra of Shaka 1594), which is mentioned by Diwākar Gosāvi in his letter. It was after this admittedly first meeting, that their contact began to grow closer and that Shivaji received his formal initiation (*Upadesh*) from the *guru*. From 1672 onwards they met frequently and consulted each other; and their mutual respect grew in an increasing degree till the end. Thenceforward Shivaji indeed found great solace in the *guru's* company.