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Patience - the sure way to victory

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Once Shivaji Maharaj, a great king from India, lost his way while going from one fort to another. He looked around from a hilltop but could not see any village nearby. The night was advancing fast. As he started coming down the hill, he saw a dim light twinkling in the distance. Going in that direction, he soon reached a hut. Inside the hut was an old woman who welcomed him, thinking that he was a soldier from Shivajis army. Seeing that he was tired and hungry, she gave him warm water to wash his hands and face and also spread a mat for him to relax upon. After he had sufficient rest, she brought a plateful of hot rice and curry and placed it before him. Shivaji was so hungry that he quickly put his hand into the rice and curry to lift a big morsel to his mouth. The hot food burnt his fingers and immediately, he grabbed his hand, spilling some food on the floor. The old woman saw what had happened and remarked, Oh, you seem to be as impatient and hasty as your master, Shivaji, thats why you burnt your fingers and lost some food, too. Shivaji was both amused and surprised by these words. Why do you think my master Shivaji is impatient and hasty? he asked. The old lady innocently began to explain. Look here, my dear son. Dont you see, Shivaji is ignoring the smaller forts of his enemy and trying to capture only the big forts? Just as your impatience to eat burned your fingers and caused spillage of food on the floor, Shivajis impatience to defeat the enemy is causing him both worry and loss of a number of men from his brave army. You should have first eaten the cooler food at the

edge of the plate and then the food in the center. So, too, Shivaji should start taking the small forts first and strengthen his position. That will help him to conquer the bigger forts quickly and without much loss of his soldiers. Shivaji was quick to grasp the wisdom in the old womans words. He realised that one should avoid making haste in any undertaking. Moral: The above incident teaches us the virtue of patience. In any undertaking, one should patiently take small and steady steps instead of hurrying to take big ones to be successful. For example, if one normally wakes up daily at 8am but wants to wake up early at 6am, instead of trying to immediately start waking up at 6am, one should change ones waking hour in short steps, such as 15 minutes at a time. Similarly, one should not be impatient about ones spiritual progress.

A tribute to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Founder of Hindavi Swarajya

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's birth anniversary ( according to government) was on 19 th February as per the date. According to Hindu culture, we should celebrate it as per Hindu Lunar Almance on PhalgunKrushna3( that is 10.3.12) In the middle of 17th century, entire Bharat was witness to a horrible atmosphere of mayhem and anarchy under the barbaric rule of the Mughals and the Sultans. Hindu temples were being destroyed one after the other. Hindus were being subjected to conversions by the sword. Lakhs of innocent men, women and children were brutally killed when they refused to embrace Islam. The Sultans converted the whole country into a slaughterhouse. In such adverse conditions, exhibiting great bravery, valour and sacrifice, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj came on the scene like a colossus and tossed away the yoke of foreign Muslims and established a sovereign and powerful Hindu Nation. Thus, unto Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, undoubtedly, goes the main credit of lighting the torch of the freedom struggle against the backdrop of several centuries of Islamic aggression. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj created self-confidence in Hindus. He made Hindus realise that they had the might of a lion, but were leading a life of a sheep. He established a competent and progressive civil rule with the help of a well-regulated and disciplined military and a well-structured administrative set-up. From a small contingent of 2,000 soldiers inherited from his father, he created a formidable force of 1,00,000 soldiers, who eventually defeated the mighty Mughal empire even after his death. During his long military career and many campaigns, his strong religious and warrior code of ethics, exemplary character and deep-seated and uncompromising spiritual values directed him to offer protection to houses of worship, the helpless, women and children. He always showed respect, defended and protected places of worship of all denominations and religions. His coronation ceremony was performed amidst the chanting of Vedic mantras and sprinkling of Holy waters from seven rivers and seven seas. As Shivaji sat on the throne, the main priest held the royal umbrella and hailed him as Shiva Chhatrapati. He was conferred the title of Kshatriya Kulavantas Sinhasanadheeshwar Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj by the priest. The crowning ceremony was a big blow to the invincibility of Muslims. After the fall of the Hindu empire of Vijayanagar, it was Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who was destined to protect the Nation and Hindu Dharma. The great Hindi poet Bhushan gave up the royal favour of the Mughal court and came to Shivaji to record his glory and grandeur. He rightly said, , ,

(Meaning : If Shivaji were not to be there, Kashi would have lost its culture, Mathura would have been turned into a mosque and all would have been circumcised.) To remind posterity of the day of coronation, Chhatrapati Shivaji started a new Era Rajyabhishek Shaka (Crowning Era). In his fight for independence and after establishing his own kingdom, Shivaji did everything possible to promote Hindu Dharma. His assembly of eight ministers was based on Hindu ideals. We come across this concept of eight ministers in the Ramayan and the Mahabharat. King Dashrath too had eight ministers. In the Shantiparva of Mahabharat also, it has been suggested that an exchange of thoughts of eight ministers is necessary. During the coronation ceremony, Shivaji changed the Persian names of ministerial posts to Sanskrut ones as follows. Persian Peshva Majmuadar Vakiya Shuru Dabir Sar-e-naubat Sadra, Muhasib Kazi-ul-kujat Sanskrut Pantapradhan Panta-amatya Navis Mantri Navis Panta Sachiv Sumant Senapati Panditrao, Dhanadhyaksha Nyayadhish

The motto Shivaji inscribed on his coin amply reflects the age-old Hindu ideal pulsating in Shivajis mind. His seal in Sanskrut read : :

(Meaning : Ever increasing like the new moon and reverently saluted by the universe, this seal of Shivaji, Shahajis son, stands for the welfare of all.) The successors of Shivaji, the Peshwas had carried the Hindu Swami (saffron) flag right up to Kabul, and ultimately crippled the Mughal seat of power, which had remained unchallenged for several centuries, never to rise again. They had rightly grasped the life teachings and mission of Chhatrapati Shivaji ! Vivekanand once said about him in these glowing terms - Shivaji is one of the greatest national saviours who emancipated our society and our Dharma when they were faced with the

threat of total destruction. He was a peerless hero, a pious and God-fearing king and verily a manifestation of all virtues of a born leader of men described in our ancient scriptures. He also embodied the deathless spirit of our land and stood as the light of hope for our future. The glorious life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj carries the spirit of victorious resistance against foreign aggression and presents a vision of national freedom rich with its Hindu content. In todays unstable and perilous times, to get inspiration to win over such a situation, it is necessary for all patriots to celebrate this day with enthusiasm. We pay our humble obeisance to this mighty King, who remains a guiding light for us even today.