New History of the Marathas v2.c35.7

v2.c35.7

The veteran Sakharam Bapu shrank from playing his evil pranks. In the autumn of 1770 when work accumulated with which the Peshwa’s failing strength could not cope, he called upon Sakharam Bapu to dispose of the routine work and initiate Narayanrao into the administration. Brahmans were employed at different shrines to recite prayers and solicit divine favour for restoring the Peshwa’s health. His mother Gopikabai suggested certain sanctified rites, which were punctiliously carried out by Nana Phadnis under his own personal supervision. When returning from Miraj to Poona the Peshwa was weighed against gold on the bank of the Krishna; he was also again weighed at Katore on the Godavari and the metal was distributed in charity to the poor. Janoji Bhosle who had recently made his submission expressed great concern on account of the Peshwa’s ailment; he specially came to Poona during the summer of 1772, personally to plead with him to soften the rigour of his uncle’s confinement, lest, as was then believed, the prisoner should practise evil rites for hampering the Peshwa’s recovery.²