நன்றி : ராவ் சாகிப் தேஷ்பாண்டே
இத்தொடரின் மற்ற பகுதிகளை இங்கு வாசிக்கலாம்.
ஔரங்கஸிப்பின் இரும்புப் பிடியிலிருந்து மராட்டிய சிவாஜி தப்பிய செய்தி மொத்த ஹிந்துஸ்தானத்தையும் சென்றடைகிறது. ஒவ்வொரு ஹிந்துவும் இது கடவுளின் அருட்செயல்தான் என்று எண்ணியதுடன், சிவாஜி பாதுகாப்பாக தக்காணம் சென்று சேரவேண்டுமென பிரார்த்தித்துக் கொண்டான். சிவாஜியை விரும்பியவர் மட்டுமன்றி, அவரது எதிரிகளும் இந்தத் தீரச் செயலை மெச்சிக் கொண்டனர்.
சிவாஜியும், சாம்பாஜியும் ஆறு மணி நேரம் பயணித்துப் பின்னிரவில் மதுராவை அடைகிறார்கள். ஆக்ராவில் அன்றைய தினம் பெருமழை பெய்துகொண்டிருந்ததால் யமுனையில் வெள்ளம் பெருக்கெடுத்து ஓடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது. சிவாஜி ஒரு படகோட்டியின் துணையோடு அக்கரைக்குச் செல்கிறார். ஔரங்கஸிப்பிடம் உடனடியாக இதனைக் குறித்துச் சொல்லவேண்டும் எனப் படகோட்டியிடம் சொல்கிறார், சிவாஜி. சிறிது தூரம் பயணிக்கும் சிவாஜியும், சாம்பாஜியும் வேறொரு படகில் ஏறி மீண்டும் இக்கரைக்குத் திரும்புகிறார்கள். பின்னர் சிவாஜி, சாம்பாஜி பின்தொடர குதிரையில் மதுராவை வேகமாக வந்தடைகிறார்.
சிவாஜியைத் தேடிவந்த மொகலாயப் படைவீரர்களிடம் நடந்ததைச் சொல்கிறான், படகோட்டி. மொகலாயப் படைவீரர்கள் சிவாஜி தெற்குநோக்கித் தப்பிச்செல்வதாக முடிவுக்குவருகிறார்கள். இதனை எதிர்பார்த்திருந்த சிவாஜி, அவர்கள் எதிர்பார்த்ததுபோல தென்திசையில் செல்லாமல், வடதிசையில் சென்றுகொண்டிருகிறார். மதுராவை அடையும் சிவாஜி தன்னை முற்றிலும் உருமாற்றிக்கொண்டிருகிறார். தனது அரச உடைகள் முழுவதனையும் துறந்து, புனித யாத்திரை செல்லும் ஒரு சாமியாரைப் (Gossain) போல உடைகளை அணிந்து கொள்கிறார். தாடியிலும், கன்னத்திலும் இருந்த மயிரைச் சுத்தமாக மழித்துவிட்டு, உடல் முழுவதும் சாம்பலைத் தடவிக்கொள்கிறார்.
அவர் மதுராவை அடைவதற்குமுன்னர் அங்கு சென்ற சிவாஜியின் அலுவலகர்களான நிராஜி ராவ்ஜியும், பாலாஜி ஆவோஜி சிட்னிசும், மதுராவெங்கும் தேடி பேஷ்வா மோராபாண்ட் பிங்கலேயின் மூன்று பிராமணர்களைக் கண்டுபிடிக்கிறார்கள். கிருஷ்ணாஜி, காஷிராவ், மற்றும் விசாஜி என்கிற மூன்று பிராமண சகோதரர்களும் அந்த நேரத்தில் மதுராவில் இருந்திருக்க நியாயமில்லை. அனேகமாக சிவாஜி ராய்காட்டைவிட்டுப் புறப்படுமுன் அவர்களை மதுராவிற்கு வரச் சொல்லியிருக்க வேண்டும். அல்லது மதுராவிலிருந்த சிவாஜியின் குருவான ராம்தாஸி ஆஸ்ரமத்திற்கு பயணமாக அவர்கள் வந்திருக்கலாம்.
அந்த மூன்று பிராமணர்களும் சிவாஜியின் முன் அழைத்துவரப்படுகிறார்கள். சிவாஜி ஏராளமான பணத்தை அவர்களிடம் கொடுத்து, சாம்பாஜியையும் அவர்களிடம் ஒப்படைக்கிறார். சாம்பாஜியைக் கவனமாகப் பார்த்துக்கொள்ளவேண்டும் எனவும், சிறிது காலத்திற்குப் பிறகு, ராய்காட்டிலிருந்து தன்னுடைய சொந்தக் கையெழுத்தில் (சிவாஜியின்) கடிதம் வந்தபிறகு சாம்பாஜியை தக்காணத்திற்கு ரகசியமாக அழைத்துவரவேண்டும் எனக் கூறுகிறார். ஒருவேளை தான் நிச்சயமாக இறந்துவிட்டதாகத் தெரியவந்தால், அவர்களுக்குத் தெரிந்த பாதுகாப்பான முறையில் சாம்பாஜியை ராய்காட்டில் சேர்த்துவிடவேண்டும் எனவும் ஆணையிடுகிறார். அந்த மூவரும் சிவாஜிக்கு நிச்சயம் நம்பிக்கைக்குப் பாத்தியமானவர்களாக இருந்திருக்க வேண்டும் என்பதில் சந்தேகமில்லை.
பிற கோஸாயிகளைப் போல ஊதாநிற உடை தரித்த சிவாஜி, கோஸாயிகளுடன் சேர்ந்து பொழுதைக்கழிக்க ஆரம்பிக்கிறார். யமுனையில் ஒரு நாள் குளிக்கச் செல்லும் சிவாஜி, யமுனைப் படித்துறையின் அலங்கோலத்தைப் பார்த்து, “இதனை ஏன் இப்படி வைத்திருக்கிறார்கள்? நானாக இருந்தால் அத்தனை உடைபாடுகளையும் சரி செய்திருப்பேன்!” என்று பொதுவாகச் சொல்கிறார்.
அதனைக் கேட்கிற கோஸாயிப் பூசாரி சிவாஜியின் மீது சந்தேகம்கொள்கிறார். நிராஜி அந்தப் பூசாரியை அணுகி எச்சரிக்கவே, அவரும் மன்னிப்புக் கோருகிறார். அவர் அமைதியாக இருப்பதற்குத் தேவையான அனைத்தும் செய்யப்படுகின்றன.
பின்னர், அலஹாபாத்தை நோக்கிச் செல்லும் கோஸாயிகளுடன் சேர்ந்து பயணிக்க ஆரம்பிக்கிறார், சிவாஜி. தக்காணத்திற்குச் செல்லும் வழிகளறிந்த கிருஷ்ணாஜியும் அந்தக் கூட்டத்தில் கலந்து சிவாஜியுடன் பயணிக்கிறார். மேலும் சில முக்கியஸ்தர்களும் கோஸாயிவேடத்தில் அந்தக் கூட்டத்தில் கலந்து கொள்கின்றனர்.
அவர்களிடம் செலவுக்குத் தேவையான ஏராளமான நகைகளும், தங்கக் காசுகளும் இருக்கின்றன. மூங்கில்கோல்களிலும், துந்துபிகளிலும் வைரக்கற்கள் ஒளித்துவைத்து, அவைகளைச் சிவாஜியின் ஆட்கள் சுமந்து வந்துகொண்டிருகிறார்கள். பனாரஸ் [காசி] நகரை வந்தடையும் சிவாஜியின் கூட்டம் தேவையான மதச்சடங்குகளைச் செய்துமுடிக்குமுன் ஆக்ராவிலிருந்து சிவாஜி தப்பிவிட்ட செய்தி பனாரஸை வந்தடைகிறது. அவரசரகதியில் மதச்சடங்குகளை கங்கைக் கரையில் செய்துகொண்டிருக்கையில் சிவாஜி கங்கைக் கரையில் இருப்பதாகத் தகவலறிந்த மொகலாயப்படையினர், ஈட்டிகளுடன் அங்கு வந்துசேருகிறார்கள். இருள் விலகாத காலைநேரமாதலால், சிவாஜியும் அவரது ஆட்களும் அங்கிருந்து தப்பிச்செல்கிறார்கள்.
பனாரஸில் இருக்கையில் சிவாஜி காகபட்டரைச் சந்திக்கத் தவறவில்லை. காகபட்டர் சிவாஜி பாதுகாப்பாக தக்காணத்தை வந்தடைய எல்லா உதவிகளையும் செய்தார் எனத் தெரியவருகிறது. பிற்காலத்தில் சிவாஜி ராய்காட்டில் சத்ரபதியாகப் பதவியேற்ற காலத்தில் காகபட்டரே தலைமைக் குருவாக இருந்தார் என்பது குறிப்பிடத்தக்கது.
பனாரஸிலிருந்து சிவாஜியின் குழு பாட்னா வழியாக்க கயாவை அடைகிறது. கயாவில் சிவாஜியின் முக்கியஸ்தர்கள் பலர் அவருக்காகக் காத்துக்கொண்டிருகிறார்கள். அவர்களுடன் புறப்பட்டு ஒரிஸ்ஸாவின் கரையிலிருக்கும் ஜகன்னாத்திற்கு வந்து சேர்கிறார். வேகமாகச் செல்லும் வழக்கமுடைய சிவாஜிக்கு இந்தப் பயணம் களைப்பைத் தரவில்லை. மேலும் அவருக்கு அன்றைக்கு 39 வயது மட்டும்தான்.
கட்டக்கை அடையும் சிவாஜி ஒரு தவறைச் செய்கிறார். ஒரு சிறிய குதிரையை விலைக்கு வாங்கும்போது, அதற்குச் சேரவேண்டிய விலையை விடவும் அதிகமாகப் பணத்தை குதிரைக்காரனுக்குக் கொடுக்கிறார். ஆச்சரியமடையும் குதிரைக்காரன், இதுபோலப் பணம்கொடுக்க முகலாயர்களிடமிருந்து தப்பிய சிவாஜியால் மட்டும்தான் முடியும் எனச் சொல்லவே, சிவாஜி தன் கையிலிருந்த மொத்தப் பணத்தையும் அவனிடம் கொடுத்துவிட்டு அங்கிருந்து தப்புகிறார்.
சிவாஜி ஒரிஸ்ஸா பகுதியில் நடமாடுவதாக தெரியவே, படைத்தலைவர் அலி குலிகான் சந்தேகத்தின்பேரில் சிவாஜியை மடக்குகிறார். சிவாஜி நேரடியாக அவரிடம் பேரம்பேசி பல இலட்சம் மதிப்புள்ள வைரக்கற்களை அவருக்கு லஞ்சமாகக் கொடுத்து அங்கிருந்து தப்புகிறார். அவருடனிருந்த கோஸாயிகளும் விடுவிக்கப்படுகிறார்கள்.
பின்னர் அங்கிருந்து காட்டுவழியாக கோண்டாவன், சந்தா, தியோகட் மற்றும் கோதாவரி மாவட்டம் வழியாக ஹைதராபாத்தை வந்தடைகிறார். அங்கிருந்து இந்தூர் நகரப்பகுதி வழியாகk கோடோல் என்னுமிடத்தை அடைகிறார். இப்படியாக மயிரிழையில் பல இடங்களில் தப்பும் சிவாஜி, பிஜப்பூர் பகுதியில் கோர்கான மகாபலேஷ்வர் போன்ற பகுதிகளைக் கடந்து, நவம்பர் 20, 1666 அன்று, ஏறக்குறைய 1500 மைல்கள் பயணம் செய்து, ராய்காட்டை வந்தடைகிறார். தன்முன் கோஸாயி வேடத்தில் நிற்கும் சிவாஜியை ஜீஜாபாய்க்கு அடையாளம் தெரியவில்லை.
நிராஜி ராவ்ஜி “அம்மா, இது உங்களின் மகன் சிவாஜி,” எனச் சொல்லவும், ஜீஜாபாய் மிகவும் மகிழ்கிறார்.
சிவாஜி மஹாராஷ்டிராவை வந்தடைந்த செய்தி காட்டுத் தீ போல எங்கும் பரவுகிறது. மஹாராஷ்ட்ரா விழாக்கோலம் பூணுகிறது.
[முற்றும்]
இந்துக்களே எம்மதமும் சம்மதம் என்று சொல்லாதீா்கள் என்ற வேண்டுகோள்விடுத்த மேல்நாட்டு பெண்மணி
PLEASE HINDUS, DON’T SAY: “ALL RELIGIONS ARE THE SAME”
Observations by someone who grew up in the stifling atmosphere of dogmatic Christianity and appreciates the freshness and freedom of undogmatic Hinduism– and wonders why a section of Hindus are so apologetic about their religion when it actually is the best bet for a fulfilling life.
Hindus used to say, “All religions are equal”. They did not want to see that the two biggies, Christianity and Islam, did not agree. Each of those religions claimed for itself, “We alone are the only true religion. Our God is the only true God.” They pitied Hindus that they might actually believe that by stating that all religions are equal, Hinduism would be elevated to their level. Of course, the ‘true religions’ will never allow this.
Now Hindus say, “We respect all religions. We teach it to our children. Our children hear a lot about Christianity and Islam and how good these religions are. We don’t want to offend anyone, so we teach very little about Hinduism and what we teach is only about superficial things, like festivals and customs and not about the deep philosophy and scientific insights which would portray Hinduism in a good light and might irritate other religions.”
Again, Hindus don’t want to see that Christianity and Islam do not respect Hinduism. The clergy of those religions don’t say it into their face, but to their own flock: “Hindus go to hell, if they don’t convert to the true religion. It is their own fault. We have told them about Jesus and his Father or the Prophet and Allah respectively. Still, they are so arrogant and foolish and hold on to their false gods. But God/Allah is great. He will punish them with eternal hellfire.”
In a variation of “We respect all religions” Hindus also say, “All religions teach the human being to be virtuous and good and lead him to God, the creator. Hindus attend Inter Faith Dialogues and try to find the commonalities. Of course these are there. Hindus try to build on them. “Yes, all religions have good points. Yes, all religions have good people.” They keep repeating that all religions teach goodness, as if to convince themselves. However, deep down, Hindus know that this is not honest and lacks intellectual integrity. They know that Christianity and Islam have gone off track by preaching exclusiveness and hate to their flock. Those religions have encouraged persecution of others and brainwashed otherwise kind human beings into fighting for an imaginary god who supposedly hates all those ‘others’ who don’t believe, what they are told to believe. They have left a trail of bloodshed in history. But Hindus choose to ignore it. ‘Why provoke unnecessarily?’ they might feel, still betraying a psyche wounded by thousand years of oppression.
Is it not time that Hindus call a spade a spade? Swami Vivekananda has said that every Hindu who leaves his faith is not one Hindu less but one enemy more. He said this while India was ruled by the British, and Christians and Muslims were encouraged to feel superior to the “idol worshipping Hindu”. Hindus were not in a position to put the record straight, as their own elite put Hinduism down due to a malicious British education policy. Yet today, 66 years after independence, it is about time to tell the world loudly and boldly what Hinduism is about.
It is not about ruling the world. It is not about believing in unverifiable dogmas. It is not about being nice to those of one’s own faith and not nice to those of other faiths. But it is about discovering what we really are, apart from the ever-changing body and mind. The ancient rishis have discovered the oneness underlying the apparent multiplicity, long before western scientists did. This conscious, blissful oneness is not somewhere out there. It is permeating everyone (and everything) and can be felt as one’s own essence. This essence can be called by different names, but the main thing is, that it is within everyone and within everyone’s reach. So, we truly are all children of the same infinite divine Presence. We all belong to one big family. Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam. This truth provides the basis for a harmonious world and it makes sense, or does it not?
by Maria Wirth
A REPLY TO DR. ZAKIR NAIK
Hindus generally don’t criticise other religions in spite of the fact that Christianity and Islam not only criticise, but demean Hinduism badly. Zakir Naik is only one example. Do Hindus know what is preached in the innumerable churches and mosques across India? I know for sure that Hindu gods are called devils by Christian missionaries. Yet Hindus neither defend their gods nor challenge the Abrahamic dogmas in spite of having a solid philosophical basis for their beliefs, which is lacking in Christianity and Islam.
Some years ago, Zakir Naik had ridiculed Ganapati and thrown a challenge to prove that Ganapati is God. I assume he means by God the Supreme Being that Muslims call Allah.
Now what do we know about Allah?
Foremost, Allah is great and merciful, and the faithful as well as the unfaithful are loudly reminded of it five times a day. He also knows what all human beings are doing, but is separate from them. It is claimed that Allah has communicated his final words to Prophet Mohamed. Those words are in the Quran. Allah declared that Islam alone is true. So, all human beings must follow Islam because other paths are wrong. And they must hurry up, because every human being has only one life.
Those, who do not accept Islam during their lifetime, will be thrown into eternal hellfire where “boiling water will be poured over their heads that not only melts their skin but also the inner parts of their bellies…” (Q22.19-22)
Clearly, here is where Allah’s mercy ends. He does not brook any dissent. And the Azan, which started compassionately, ends with: “Oh Allah, guide us to the Right Way. The Way of those whom You have favoured, not of those who have earned Your wrath…” Al-Fatiha 1
This means, Allah is merciful only to his followers who are called Muslims and he is wrathful to those who are not Muslims.
Dr. Zakir Naik, I am confident that I got the concept of ‘God’ in Islam right because Christianity has a similar concept. And I dare to claim that it is not true. Can you prove (and this challenge goes also to Christian clerics) that Allah/ God is indeed so unfair and divisive? Can you prove there will be this huge cauldron of fire where billions of people will burn for ever after Judgment Day? Do these claims of “eternal hellfire for unbelievers” not rather have the purpose to keep the flock in check? To divide and rule?
There are about 2 billion Christians, who are told they have to remain Christians, otherwise they can’t go to heaven. And then there are about 2 billion Muslims who are told that they have to remain Muslims, otherwise they can’t go to paradise. Both religions had plenty of time to sort out which one is true, but they did not do it. Why? Because they cannot prove it. They can only make claims and counterclaims and fight among themselves, between Muslims and Christians and with heathens or infidels. They do this for the last 2000 years.
Under these circumstances, can anyone claim that Islam or Christianity is beneficial for humanity? Is it not time to have a thorough check of what REALLY is the truth?
In regard to the absolute Truth, Dr. Zakir Naik, your ancestors, the Indian Rishis, made valuable contributions and you can be proud of them. In ancient times, long, long before Christianity or Islam appeared on the scene, the Rishis had a very mature understanding of Brahman which would be ‘Truth’ or ‘Supreme Being’ or ‘God’ in English. Brahman is not personal, not a superhuman entity somewhere in heaven, not male or female, not jealous of other gods, not revengeful if ignored, but it is Sat-Chit-Ananda, the conscious, one essence in all names and forms – like the one ocean is the essence of all the waves.
The Rishis realised that this universe is a wrong perception of Brahman. They called it Maya, not really true, only apparently true.
For anything to qualify as absolute Truth, it has to be always – past, present and future – and it has to be self-evident.
The Rishis came to the conclusion that nothing fulfils these criteria except pure (= thought free) consciousness. This consciousness is here and now, always, everywhere. Yet we miss it because we focus only on things or thoughts, emotions, etc. – like, when we focus a torchlight in a room only on the furniture and miss the empty space. Infinite space, which throbs with life and love is actually a good metaphor for Sat-Chit-Ananda – the highest truth that underlies names and forms (nama-rupa).
Science has meanwhile discovered the Sat-aspect of the truth. Oneness is there. To discover that this Oneness is also aware (Chit) and blissful (Ananda) scientists would need to turn to their own consciousness to research further instead of looking outside. Let us see whether the scientists will support also the claim of the Rishis that this whole manifestation is alive and full of bliss.
In one point, however, you are right, Dr. Zakir Naik: There is only one Truth, one God, which the wise call by different names. But the nature of it you got wrong. It does not send non-Muslims or non-Christians eternally into hellfire. The Supreme Being is indeed merciful and great.
But you wanted to know whether Ganapati is a deity.
May I explain a bit of your ancestors’ tradition which struck me as most profound when I came to know of it?
Sanatana Dharma is not only about intellectually knowing Sat-Chit-Ananda, but about realising it. Since Brahman is all pervading, it must be also in us (Ayam Atma Brahman). So we can tap and feel it. For this, however, we need to follow certain rules. We need to purify ourselves, lead a moral life, speak the truth, etc. To eat plenty of meat and have plenty of sex is not conducive for this purification. Yet one factor is very conducive: Bhakti – love for God.
Here Hindu Dharma brings in Ishwara.
The concept of Ishwara is close to the Abrahamic notion of a personal God but more benevolent. There is of course no eternal hell for unbelievers. Everyone gets chance after chance in life after life till he realises that he is not a separate wave, but one with the ocean.
Ishwara is God with attributes and has innumerable aspects, as this universe has innumerable aspects or human nature has innumerable aspects. These aspects are personified in different deities and the devotee can choose the one who is dearest to him. It helps to develop love for the invisible Truth – for example through Ganapati.
Those Devas are mistakenly much maligned by Christianity and Islam. They are not separate entities but kind of access points to the one Brahman, which is otherwise unimaginable. It is possible to feel familiar with them, to love them, to talk with them. And the scriptures leave no doubt that devas are ultimately Brahman.
And here, Dr. Naik, you may get an answer to your question whether Ganapati is ultimately the Supreme Being.
The Ganapati Atharvashirsa Upanishad, which is part of the Atharva Veda, states: “Tvameva kevalam karta si, tvameva kevalam dharta si, tvameva kevalam harta si.
Tvameva sarvam khalvidam brahmasi, tvam saksadatma si nityam.”
It means: You alone are the creator, you alone are the sustainer, you alone are the annihilator. All this is Brahman and you are that Brahman. You are indeed the Atman eternally.
This declaration, however, is not unique for Ganapati. It is said for other deities, too.
Yet the fact that this is written in a sacred text, is not proof enough. There are plenty of sacred texts in this world and if everything in them is blindly accepted as true, we end up with all kind of proclaimed truths which are not true. We need to verify what is declared as truth on the touchstone of reason, intuition and experience. If it contradicts all of these, it is not worth believing it and certainly not dying for it.
The proof that all deities are Brahman is because only Brahman really exists. Brahman is like the ocean. The waves are not separate from it. The name with which one worships the Divine, does not matter. What matters is how much devotion one feels. The greater the devotion, the more miracles can happen. Ganapati is loved by millions of Hindus worldwide. He is the door through which they try to access Sat-Chit-Ananda.
Sanatana Dharma is very ancient. And yet the Rishis had such deep insights, for example that the world is a wrong perception of what is really true, like seeing a snake at dusk when in fact there is only a rope. Westerners who ridiculed Hindus because they believe that the world is an illusion keep now quiet as science supports the Hindu view.
Meanwhile NASA scientists have detected the building blocks of DNA in meteorites. The Max Planck Institute in Germany published the first picture of the whole universe. It had an oval shape. Could it be possible that those who ridicule Hindus for worshipping a Shiva lingam might soon rethink their attitude, as well, lest they embarrass themselves?
Great men have come and gone in India’s ancient civilisation. Some have been made into gods. There is nothing wrong with it. The Divine is in all.
It should make you reflect, Dr. Naik that science keeps validating the insights of the Rishis, for example the mindboggling age of the universe, or the ultimate Oneness of all.
Attempts to vilify Indian tradition by you and others are successful because the British weaned Indians away from their tradition and most people know little about it. Yet if you are sincere, you will realise that the wisdom of your ancestors scores high over the worldview and the mind set of Abrahamic religions. The attitude of “We alone are right and you go to hell if you don’t accept our religion” is doing great harm to humanity. It may be helpful for world dominion, but do you want to live in a world where everyone has to wear a straight-jacket?
If I were you, Dr. Naik, I would be worried especially about one thing: what if you wake up after death and there is NO paradise waiting for you? What if all those Jihadis, who were inspired by you, cursed you after realising there was no paradise for them? What if you are taking birth again in another form and reap the fruits of your actions of this life where you consciously or unconsciously distorted the truth? Rebirth is not only mentioned in the Indian texts. There is also plenty of evidence for it – over 3000 cases are documented in the archive of Virginia University.
Dr. Naik, I don’t know how deeply you believe what you preach. I know from personal experience how effective brainwashing in childhood can be. But I also know that it is possible to get out of it, and it seems the older one is, the easier.
For me, it was a great relief to come out of the Christian religious straight jacket and I would encourage you to also genuinely enquire into the truth. Your concept of God is not Truth. You quote a book as support. Truth does not fit into a book. Truth is THAT WHAT TRULY IS.
Your ancestors, the Indian Rishis, spoke from experience, not from book knowledge.
Yours Sincerely
Maria Wirth
சிவாஜியின் மகனின் பரிதாபமான முடிவு
At the battle of Wai, which was fought in the dense jungles of Mahabaleswar, the Marathas defeated the mughals in a heroic battle. But, Hambirrao Mohite, the Sarnobat (Commander-in-chief of the army), and a key advisor to Sambhaji was killed by a direct hit from a mughal cannon ball.
(Hambirrao Mohite)
He was one of the finest generals of his time and the star general of Maratha Empire. He had served Sambhaji’s father Shivaji
(Shivaji Maharaj center left, Hambirrao center right)
After Shivaji’s death, Hambirrao supported Sambhaji’s ascension to the imperial throne and served with unwavering Loyalty. Because of this, he became the commander in chief of the army, an advisor to King Sambhaji and a closest aid and trusted friend of the King.
His untimely death had sent shockwaves throughout the Empire.
He was later replaced by Malhoji Ghorpade.
Worried by the great general’s death, Maratha troops deserted the army in droves. King Sambhaji himself was shocked and retreated to the western ghats with his most trusted aides.
And that’s when he was betrayed.
Sambhaji was campaigning in Mysore. It was during his campaign that he learned of Hambirrao’s death. And, the mughals had just finished conquering the sultanates of Bijapur and Golconda which were allies of Maratha Empire
So, to assess the geo-political situation and counter the advancing Mughal armies, In January 1688, Sambhaji called together his commanders for a strategic meeting at Sangameshwar in Konkan to decide on the final blow to oust Aurangzeb from the Deccan.
To execute the decision of the meeting quickly, Sambhaji sent ahead most of his comrades and stayed back with a few of his trustworthy men, including Kavi Kalash.
Ganoji Shirke, one of Sambhaji’s brothers-in-law, turned traitor and helped Aurangzeb’s commander Muqarrab Khan to locate, reach and attack Sangameshwar while Sambhaji was still there.
The relatively small Maratha force fought back although they were surrounded from all sides. Although he fought valiantly, Sambhaji was overpowered and captured on 1 February 1689 and brought before Mughal bastar-, I mean emperor Aurangzeb at the fort of Bahadurgarh. The ulema of mughals asked Sambhaji to surrender all forts and weapons and to convert to Islam.
But, like a true Maratha, King Sambhaji was a man of principles and iron will. He refused and hurled insults at Aurangzeb and ‘Prophet’ Mohammed.
For over 40 days and nights, the King was tortured, both in body and mind. Historian Dennis Kincaid writes, “He (Sambhaji) was ordered by the Emperor to embrace Islam. He refused and was made to run the gauntlet of the whole Imperial army. Tattered and bleeding he was brought before the Emperor and repeated his refusal. His tongue was torn and again the question was put. He called for writing material and wrote ‘Not even if the emperor bribed me with his daughter !’So then he was put to death by torture”. His eyes, tounge and nails were pulled out. His skin was slowly peeled away.
Meanwhile, the news of Sambhaji’s capture spread like wildfire throughout the Empire. Although disorganized and in complete chaos, a large number of Maratha soldiers reached and lay seige to Bahadurgarh. Whether the emperor Aurangzeb was present or not is debated.
Nevertheless, the army had reached Bahadurgarh. Although Ill-equipped and with almost no leadership, it was still a very powerful force. With a view to deny Marathas a victory, King Sambhaji was finally put to death in March 11 1689 after 40 days of torture in the most gruesome way possible.
He was teared up from the back and the front using wagh nakh (metal tiger claws) and beheaded with an axe.
(antique Wagh Nakh)
The death of the King completely demoralised the already suffering Maratha troops. They called of the seige and deserted back to their homelands.
Sambhaji’s body was then cut into pieces and thrown into the river. His body portions were recaptured and cremated at the confluence of rivers at Tulapur by the local natives loyal to the Marathas.
Thankfully, the Marathas were not completely defeated. The war (Now called as the 27 years Maratha-Mughal War) was succeed by kings Rajaram , Shahu I and queen Tarabai. The war ended with Mughals reduced to only controlling Delhi and Marathas becoming the Indian Superpower.
There is no historical evidence for this attempt. Some novelist written that there were attempts by santaji ghorpade, rayappa mahar,khando ballal but there is no evidence.
The last years around death of sambhaji maharaj, Maratha empire was not in disarray but we can say turbulent.Sambhaji maharaj was fighting five enemies simultaneously.Sultanat of Bijapur and Golconda cease to extinct.Marathas were sole opponent for moghuls hence Aurangzeb had put his all strength in defeat of Marathas.He had taken vow that he will not use crown until he captures sambhaji maharaj,hence he was planning this moves very carefully.
Maratha empire was in weak position because their commander in chief Hambirrao mohite was martyred in battle of wai.Sambhaji maharaj lost his right hand.The burden of warfare on many front was on sambhaji maharaj.Shivaji maharaj had ended feudal system in maratha knights hence many were became enemy of maratha empire, among them there were sambhaji maharaj’s own brothers in laws eg. Ganoji Shirke and mahadji nimbalkar. Many were ex knights of swarajya who betrayed sambhaji maharaj for jagir.
In the 1989, sambhaji maharaj had called meeting at sangameshwar with his commander in chief maloji ghorpade (father of santaji ghorpade), but ganoji shirke betrayed sambhaji maharaj by guiding murrabak khan to sangameshwar. As battle began, mubarrak Khan’s force and maratha force have ratio 10:1 hence maloji ghorpade made diversion for escaping sambhaji maharaj but ganoji shirke knows all escape routes hence he guided mubarrak khan to easily capture of sambhaji maharaj and kavi kalasha who are with limited force . Maloji ghorpade has martyred but till santaji ghorpade chased khan but have to make retreat because he has very limited force as compared to khan and also out of time.
They said rayappa mahar made attempt but he was captured and executed and khando ballal tried to save but unable to reach within time to save. But the actual fact is sambhaji maharaj was kept at bahadurgad before his torture and execution and chief of fort ( Killedar )at that time was non other than mahadji nimbalkar (brother in law and son of maternal uncle).If he really wants to help sambhaji maharaj to escape then he could do it but alas he showed loyalty towards Aurangzeb for jagir.
Sambhaji maharaj and kavi kalasha were tortured to death but this incident turns tide because many sardars returned swarajya by seeing this kind of cruelty of Aurangajeb.Poetically saying each rock of swarajya got ignited,grass blade become spear and Aurangzeb was defeated andburied in this soil by Maratha.
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Maria wirth -letter to QUORA DIGEST
For me Hindu Dharma is like an open space under a vast sky. Religions have pitched tents there and a couple of these religions try to herd everybody into their particular, windowless tent and then try to prevent them from leaving. To become a Hindu feels natural, like going out in the open and breathe fresh air.
Since I wrote on my blog an answer to the above question on what made me become a Hindu, I reproduce it here.
The following text is from my blog without the first two paragraphs. Link: How I essentially became a Hindu
“In 1980 I stopped over in India on my way to Australia. At least, that was what I thought. I did not break my journey in India for spiritual reasons, as I did not associate Hinduism with anything worthwhile. In school I had learnt that Hinduism is about an unjust caste system and plenty of (false, since Christianity has the true one) gods, and not knowing better, I had believed it. However, during this stopover, I stumbled on India’s ancient tradition and was amazed at its depth. I appreciated that intelligence was used in trying to establish the truth about this universe and no unverifiable dogmas were imposed. Swami Vivekananda’s “Jnana Yoga” was the first book I read. He stands in a long line of Rishis who have dedicated themselves since time immemorial to an intensive, disciplined, inner search for what is essentially true. Their findings don’t contradict modern science:
The basis of every appearance in this universe, including our own person, is the same one Essence or Presence – real, infinite, eternal, formless and nameless. All forms and names are like waves on the ocean. The waves may think that they are separate from the ocean. They may not even see the ocean but only other waves. They may cling to their (temporary) form and be terrified to lose it, but ultimately all waves are nothing but the ocean and nothing is lost when their form subsides. Similarly, though we may consider ourselves as separate from the whole and cling to our impermanent person, our essence is pure, limitless awareness and nothing of substance is lost when form and name are lost. The purpose of life and its fulfillment is to discover who we really are, the rishis declared.
This knowledge made immediately sense to me and was actually a source for great joy. It was in tune with my vague intuition that, if there is a God, he must be the basis of everything and not a separate entity.
Early during my stay in India, I met Devaraha Baba and Anandamayi Ma, two renowned saints of that time. I had never met persons like them. There seemed to be nobody there behind their eyes and their presence felt beneficial. “It is because they are enlightened”, someone explained to me. “God shines clearly through their form, because there is no ego to block that.”
“God”- this word had been missing in my vocabulary for long, but it comes up frequently in India among those who speak English, young and old, and strangely, here I did not sense any hypocrisy as I did in Germany. Indians use “God’ for the many different Sanskrit terms because it is the English term for the creator of the universe and they generally don’t realize that the Abrahamic God is different and requires believing in unverifiable dogmas. In India, the concept of God is much vaster and based on a genuine enquiry. The outcome of this enquiry is that God and one’s self are basically the same. ‘This Atman (Self) is Brahman (God)’, declare the Vedas. It all made sense. The question however was now how to feel or experience this truth as real.
Anandamayi Ma, a saintly woman from Bengal who died in 1982, advocated Bhakti – love for the Divine and asked us to be always – 24 hours a day – aware of His (‘His’ does not imply ‘male’) Presence. “You are always in His loving embrace”, she said. It sounded authentic; however I was also drawn to Jnana, (knowledge), to Advaita Vedanta and Kashmir Shaivism.
I genuinely tried to be aware of my innermost Being and to develop love for it. In the morning I resolved to be ‘the whole day’ aware, and while brushing my teeth, I had already forgotten about it. It was not that easy. The rishis knew that and gave many helpful tips – tips that are often missing in the western new age scene, which has heavily borrowed from the Hindu tradition, often without acknowledging it.
One important point is the refinement of one’s character. To be able to sense these subtle, yet very real realms of awareness, the mind and intellect have to be refined. The term “Arya” in the Vedas is not referring to a race. It means ‘noble”. Whoever lives a noble life is an Arya. “Let noble thoughts come to us from all corners” is a prayer from the ancient Veda. And further, “Brahman permeates the biggest and the smallest”. “See God in everyone.” “Respect nature”, and so on.
I became quite naturally a vegetarian. I could not partake anymore in this colossal bloodbath all over the globe, hidden from our eyes, but very real for each one of those poor creatures that are slaughtered without mercy. I tried to get up early, though I usually fell short by a couple of hours from the time, one gets up in ashrams – 4 a.m. I practised yoga and meditation, and tried to catch any negative thought/ emotion before it could lodge itself in my mind. Wishing well for everyone and doing what feels right, was the basic motto for my life. I enjoyed singing bhajans and even more listening to and reciting myself Vedic shlokas. I tried to follow for us westerners rather unusual rules, like ‘the freer you give from what you have (knowledge, wealth, etc.) the more you will receive’. I stopped being overly concerned about ‘fulfilling my desires’ that – so we were taught in psychology class in Europe – was paramount for mental health. I trusted Indian wisdom more than western psychology. There were times when all this was easy and many unbelievable coincidences happened, indicating that there is indeed a ‘God’ making his caring Presence felt. There were also many dry times, when it was difficult and I almost despaired at being neither here (immersed in worldly matters) nor there (knowing the truth).
Meanwhile 33 years have passed in India and I still have not been in Australia. I feel at home in Hindu Dharma. When somebody asks me, “are you Christian?” (which happens frequently), my answer is, “I am Hindu”. Have I discovered that underlying Presence that is claimed to be our essence?
Yes and no. Yes, because I had glimpses of a different state of awareness that feels special and yet completely natural. When this state occurs, life is immensely worthwhile, never mind whether pleasant or unpleasant things happen on the outside.
No, because shifting into this state and remaining in it, is not in my control. It is only occasionally ‘granted’.
Apart from discovering that there is indeed a different, blessed way of being, there are many other benefits that India granted. Death lost its sting to a great extent. I released that belief in rebirth is more than a belief – it is logical and scientific research supports it, too. The law of Karma also makes much more sense when it is stretched over many lives and it helps to accept one’s present situation and the differences between humans. This acceptance is not fatalism. It is in fact helpful in bringing about a change in the situation, if so needed. Thoughts lost their power to a certain extent, as there is a witness at the back watching them, though their flow has not stopped and so far, does not even seem to be stoppable. The most important aspect however is: I developed great trust in That what upholds me and everyone or should I say, trust in Bhagawan? Actually, I could not imagine living without it.
I am very grateful to India’s wisdom. It is all-inclusive of every human being without putting any prior conditions. “The whole world is one family”, it declares. It does not straight-jacket the mind by demanding belief in incredible dogmas, it does not require a membership card to be saved, and it gives great support for a happy life. Hindu Dharma is not a belief system but is based on natural, universal laws and in my view clearly the best option mankind has for living together in peace and harmony
சிவாஜியின் மரணத்திற்கு பின் சாம்ராஜ்ஜியத்தின் சரித்திரத்தையும் விரிவாக எழுத வேண்டுகின்றேன்.
கா்நாடகத்தில் லிங்காயத்துக்கள் இந்து அல்லாத சிறுபான்மையினராம்-ஆளும் காங்கிரஸ் நீதி மன்றத்தில் மனுதாக்கல்.
Akram Basha, Under Secretary, Department of Minorities Welfare, and Government of Karnataka has submitted an affidavit stating “Lingayats are not Hindus’ to the Karnataka High Court.It is to be noted here that Hindu Religious and Endowments Department has Muslims working in key departments such accounting and finance, operations, Establishment etc. which form the core of the department in granting funds to Hindus.Now, the Government apparently to ‘fast-forward’ this issue to gain advantage of the Lingayat community has given the file to their trusted lieutenant in Minorities department Akram Basha, to forward the same to the Hon’ble High Court. The Under Secretary is responsible for ‘vetting’ the documents/affidavits. The approval is given by the Principal Secretary Minorities department.
The Congress is hell-bent to provide a separate religion tag to Lingayats. The government might be constrained to take such decisive measures when the Code of Conduct in lieu of the impending elections is place in Karnataka, and hence given the file to Basha to speed up the process.
Pro-Minority Government
The desperation of winning Minority votes is not new to Congress Government in Karnataka. They withdrew the funds to schools run by RSS and VHP firebrand leader Kalladka Prabhakara Bhatt in Dakshina Kannada. They had also contemplated to withdraw cases against PFI activists who were responsible for the spate of murders of Hindu activists in Dakshina Kannada.
Incidentally, neither, MB Patel nor Vinay Kulkarni ministers in Siddaramaiha’s cabinet have refrained from raising this issue of a minority official handling a ‘sensitive’ file by a minority official.
The ‘high-handedness’ of the Government allowing a minority official to handle such files, despite presence of other officials has shown the inclination of the government to give preferential treatment to the minorities, while giving a scant regard to Hindus in the State of Karnataka.
The Congress Government is in an imbroglio over to provide a separate religion status to Lingayats.
This is seen as an act to shift the Lingayat voters to Congress. Lingayats are the major community in Karnataka and their votes are a decisive factor when Karnataka goes to polls in the month of May: 2018.
கா்நாடகத்தில் லிங்காயத்துக்கள் அதிக எண்ணிக்கையில் வாக்கு வங்கி பலம் கொண்டவர்கள். அவரது வாக்குகளைப் பெற காங்கிரஸ் ஈனத்தனமான இக் காரயத்தைச் செய்துள்ளது. நீதிமன்றம் ஏற்றுக்கொண்டால் லிங்காயத்துக்களுக்கு சிறுபான்மை அந்தஸ்து வாங்கி தந்தேன் என்று வாக்கு வங்கி பிரச்சாரம் செய்வார்கள்.நீதிமன்றம் மறுத்தால் நான் என்ன செய்வேன் நீதி மன்றம் மறுத்து விட்டது.இருப்பினும் உங்களுக்கு உதவினேன் எனவே வோட்டு போடுங்கள் என்று பிரச்சாரம் செய்வார்கள் காங்கிரஸ் கட்சியினா்.
வோட்டு கிடைக்கும் என்றால் நாய் குண்டியில் தேன் இருந்தால்
கூட நாவினால் நக்கி தின்க தயங்கமாட்டார்கள் ……கள்.
பயங்கரவாத செயல்களுக்கு காரணம் கிறிஸ்தவ திருச்சபைகள்.
A senior CPI-M leader and former Member of Parliament of India has said the church has been used by various external agencies for the pumping in of funds for organizing militancy and separatist movements in Tripura.t is to be noted that Khagen Das died in Kolkata on Sunday, 21st January 2018. Mr. Das, 81, died within minutes of his admission to a hospital for chest pain. He was in Kolkata to attend the party’s central committee meeting.Khagen Das was speaking with reference to the militant activities and the ongoing demand for a separate tribal land within Tripura by a newly float tribal party Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura (IPFT). “During the communal riots of 1980 and during the extremist activities for 30 years, it is on record that apart of church, they were involved. Money was being in flown to India by church to extremist,” said Das.
Das said that a section of the church has been actively supporting and fueling tribal insurgency in not only the state but also the region. However, he denied mentioning any specifically name or details about what step his government had taken against that section of the church but in support of his statement he said that from the declaration made in the court by Kim Davy, who is wanted in the famous arms dropping case in Puralia of West Bengal it is clear that church has been used for funding and arms support to militants especially in Northeast India.