Shivaji and His Times c10.s4.5

c10.s4.5

∗ Exactly the same kind of trouble has been given by the Brahmans of the present generation to Shivaji's descendant, the Maharajah of Kolhapur. The following significant passage in T. S. (39a) suggests that Shivaji at one time thought of punishing the jealous intolerant Brahmans by removing them from lucrative secular duties like the command of armies and vice-royalties of provinces and confining them to their scriptural functions of fasting and praying. "The Maharajah learning [of the refusal of the Brahmans to teach him the Vedic mantras], said, 'The Brahmans are reverend men.. It is not proper to appoint them royal servants. They ought not to perform any work except worshipping God.' So he removed all the Brahmans from their posts and appointed Prabhu Kayasthas in their places. Moro Pant interceded for the Brahmans."