Nirvana of Brave hearts !

By : Vijay Rawoot

In Buddhism there is a transcendent state called Nirvana in which there is neither suffering, desire, nor sense of self, and the subject is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth. It represents the final goal of Buddhism. Now all over the world Buddhism is known as the religion of peace. Even Samrat Ashoka gave up his ambition to expand his kingdom through war after Kalinga episode and surrendered to Buddha. That was the greatness of Buddha and whoever goes to his ideology thinks of attaining Nirvana 

Shivaji after trouncing his most of the enemies had become an  undisputed King of Maratha Empire after his coronation at Raigad. Later he started his famous South India Expedition Dakshin Digvijay. During that time along with warfare and diplomacy, he also visited lot many holy places of  South. He had been to Titupati and witnessed the exorbitant wealth of Lord Vishnu. After that in 1677 he traveled to Shri Sailam ... another spiritual place where Lord Shiva's incarnation is worshiped. After taking the darshan of the deity, he had the feeling of taking Vairagya , leave everything and go on the path of Nirvana. It's believed that he was about to offer his sacrifice there but some divine power intervened  him from going ahead. Whenever I visit Raigad, more than Shivaji's Coronation Ceremony or other events, my heart n mind keeps on I think of his last days on this capital fort. The politics of Soyarabaee - wife and the Queen and Brahmin Ministers to keep Shivaji's brave handsome son Sambhaji out of power had made his life painful at the end. On the last day when he was on the death bed, he asked everyone to go out of the room, took bath, applied ash (Bhasm) on his body, wore Rudrakhs Malas around the neck and became ready for final journey. This was kind of Nirvana  state of mind of this great King. From there his soul left his body for heavenly path.

After fighting with five different enemies, most close encounter with Aurangzeb for nine consecutive years, Shivaji's cub Sambhaji too must have been fatigued. A motherless child, right from his youth must have had enough of his character assassination, step mother's attitude, treachery , heartbreak (If Godavari's incidence believed to be true), day n night fights against multiple enemies and so on. If this bravest of brave King was thinking of Nirvana, it should not be irrational logic for sure. If this fighter thinking of moving on spiritual path, whether to attain Moksha or not is debatable issue if we think of his age of just 32 years then. But spending his most of the days at Sangameshwar must be step in that direction. Sambhaji, aggressive fighter but also was a poet certainly must have attracted to this place to surrender to the Supernatural.  But the treachery by his own brother in law Ganoji Shirke, helped Mukarrab Khan caught Sambhaji at Sanagameshwar certainly not before the gallantry fight by this young fighter king. Sambhaji was taken to Tulapur after his infamous procession at Bahadurgad. The King of Maratha's  paraded in the city,  riding on a camel in clone's attire with wooden cap.  What a painful scene ! Certainly  plenty of cyclones must have been raised in his mind. Then Tulapur ... Everyday a new test  ... physical,  psychological and what not ! Forty days of hell he had to suffer day and night. What must be thoughts in his mind ?  Torture of the worst kind from thrashing on the bare chest n back with the  hunter , taking off the nails, skinning the body to piercing hot iron into the eyes ! And there was no word from his mouth about surrendering for the sake of life. 

Sambhaji left food and water in the final days of this bloody imprisonment. There  I think he started walking on the path of Nirvana that was shown by Buddha ,  till his head was chopped off finally by the barbarians on the fortieth day of his capture !  

Did Warrior father and son duo embraced the Nirvana  path shown by  Buddha ? 

Crazy Seven

The Mad Rush 

वेडात  मराठे वीर दौडले सात  !

By : Vijay Rawoot

Shivaji Maharaj knew that after snatching Panhala from Vijapur Sultanate, they are not going to keep quite. His guess was right. Angry Vazeer Khawas Khan , the caretaker of four year Sultan, threw open challenge to his court, " We have to keep Sultanate alive. If we don't take on Shivaji now, he is going to  finish us all." After hearing his concern all eyes turned towards a mighty Afgan Pathan present in the court .... Bahalol Khan. Bahalol was not less in any way than Afzal Khan who left Vijapur to nab Shivaji but never returned. Vazeer relied on same strategy like one adopted during Afzal expedition and sent letters to all his allies to join Bahalol.

Alert as usual, Maharaj got the news of Bahalol on Panhala. His Sar-Senapati Prataprao Gurjar too was on some mission nearby. Prataprao the mighty brave general was earlier a spy, boxer and most importantly a great combat warrior. He was mainly instrumental in keeping Maratha empire intact, when Maharaj was stuck up Agra. After his great escape Maharaj awarded post of the General to Prataprao.

This was the great motivation for Sar-Senapati Prataprao Gurjar who went on spree to destroy Adilshahi empire at Balghat, Paranda, Haveli, Kalburge, Kalyan, Aawase, Udgiri, Bhaganagar ( Hyderabad). In 1670 he defeated  Dawood Khan and Ikhlas Khan at Nasik. Same year he looted Karanje and in Surat took on 20,000 strong Army of Mahkub Singh Rajput and destroyed him in fears battle. Historians termed this battle as Karn Arjun War. Then in ultimate battle he trounced Diler Khan. Sir Dennis Kinked said "This is the first victory of Marathas in a pitched ( face to face ) battle". 

Though Prataprao had bravery and number of triumphs, Maharaj alongwith all these things had few more things under his sleeves - intuition, instinct and meticulous planning. He called Prataprao and Anandrao to Panhala for very secret meeting and informed  about Bahalol. He asked both of them to cut off immediately and  and walk on Bahalol camp before he could get aid from various  friends of Vijapur. It was April 1673 and Bahalol was at Umrani. Prataprao quickly assembled his army and rushed to Umrani and attacked Pathan's army. It was a shock to Bahlol whose hundreds of soldiers were killed in a sharp attack. At the same time, as per Maharaj's instructions Prataprao  encircled the water tank that was supplying water to Vijapur Army. This was the perfect plan and Bahalol's water supply was cut off. He was unable to fight with thirsty soldiers and animals against Marathas, in that hot summer. He sent secrete message to Prataprao and requested him for safe passage. "I will not come to Maratha territory again but leave us now". he pleaded. Brave but soft hearted Sar-Senapati Prataprao  melted and after taking grant and Elephants from Bahalol he left him and his Army. 

Maharaj came to know this incidence on Panhala and became furious for Prataprao's act. When the Pathan like Bahalol had surrendered Prataprao had let him free. Maharaj was sure, Bahalol was not going to live up to his promise. Just after few days Bahalol started attacking Maratha territory. He destroyed  Miraj and Kolhapur and fear of Maharaj came true. 

Furious Maharaj  send a strongly worded letter to Prataprao in January 1674... " What you thought and let Bahalol set free when he had surrendered ? You are a General but behaved like an ordinary soldier. Now he has started attacking our land. Go again, destroy him and win decisive victory. Otherwise never show your face to me again......".  

.... Not to show face ???? Deeply hearted and insulted Prataprao desperately started tracking Bahlol's movements. And one fine day he came to know that Pathan is near Nesari and going to set his camp on the bank of the Ghataprabha river. Prataprao lost his cool and the anger filled in head and eyes rushed towards Nesari. No one knew what the General is upto, only  six soldiers followed him. These seven bravehearts saw Bahalol's Army passing through Nesari's Kanadewadi Khind (Pass).  Without any second thought seven crazy Marathas rushed into Pathan's Army and slayed number of of Vijapuri soldiers. But Bahlol was in no mood to recall Prataprao's favor on him at Umrani. It was just a matter of just a few moments. These seven Marathas were attacked from all sides...... stream of blood began to flow as Sar-Senapati Prataprao and six soldiers were killed mercilessly by Pathans. 

One mistake was repaid by committing other grave mistake !  Prataprao Gurjar and his six brave soldiers offered their blood to motherland on Mahashivratri ... 24th Feb 1674. If you visit Nesari ....

दगडावर दिसतील अजुनी  तेथल्या टाचा 

ओढ्यात तरंगे अजुनी   रंग रक्ताचा 

क्षितीजावर उठतो आजुनी मेघ मातीचा 

अध्याप विराणी कुणी वाऱ्यावर गात 

वेडात मराठे वीर दौडले सात !   

Gandhi won't die !

By : Vijay Rawoot

When I was in school ,  I learned about the freedom moment of India. Naturally I never liked the chapter on non glamorous Gandhi, who was just a weak old man in the history book of Balbharati - Our great leaders. I used to think that Gandhi was such a boring person who always sounded like a coward. For such impression of his, the contributing factors were his  attire, personality and his most projected dialogue on tolerance - " If  someone slaps you on one cheek, show him the other side and ask him to slap one more...".  I never realised his funny ideology then.  In the same book we came across  Tilak, Bose, Bhagat Singh kind of leaders who were aggressive and giving British tit for tat, either with their words or through actions. And no wonder, we as school kids always liked dynamites like them. Thereon Gandhi was just a fun factor like... ' Gandhi jeb me hi accha lagata hai...', ' Majboori Ka naam Gandhi...' , ' Bapu ke desh me aisa hi hota hai....'  kind of remarks. 

Days passed by and as the trend was Engineering and Medicine, I didn't  bother reading Modern Indian history. I visited Gandhi only through the political speeches of politicians during elections campaigns. Saw him on currency notes, postal stamps  and sometimes on the election posters. On  Doordarshan I used to see him on Gandhi Jayanti , with his favaourite Vaishnav Jan To.... playing on the backdrop. On Rajghat there used to be white khadi laden politicians who had rarely practiced Gandhism in their life. But inspite of being uninterested to study this old man, it was always surprising  to see different Heads of States across the world visiting Rajghat religiously. Their India visit was never complete without laying wreath at Gandhi's Samadhi.

Then one fine day Richard Attenborough came up with his masterpiece Hollywood movie ' Gandhi '. And  that was the turning point moment to understand this bald old man cladded in couple of meters of Khadi and a stick in his hand. Since then  the image of Gandhi changed in the minds of millions of youths like me. We came to know how much courage Gandhi had shown by taking on the whites in South Africa and British in India.  Audience was shaken to watch the Police hammering Gandhi had taken during his struggle. But inspite of all physical and mental torture his mental strength was amazing. To sustain this without retaliating needed immense bravery. First time it was known to the world , how much brave warrior this man was.  

After that I came across ' My Experiments with Truth' ! Even today no person can show such courage to speak the truth about his own weaknesses. But he never gave a damn to the fear of people's opinion about his experiments. He took on British fiercely like a bravest warrior through his truth and non violence. He made non cooperation moment successful without shedding a drop of blood. Britishers were brought to their knees without counter attacking them. Not only Indians but even common man of England admired Gandhi for his height of tolerance and strength of character.

Struggles of Martin Luther King Jr. in USA , Nelson Mandela in SA and  Yan Sun Sa Ki in Myanmar were entirely inspired by the Gandhi's philosophy of Non Violence. Today entire world knows India because of Gandhi. All world leaders come and bow before his Samadhi at Rajghat. Today almost 190 countries celebrate his birthday as International Non Violence Day. Every city in India and every country in the world has his statue or road named after him. World's maximum research and literature is available on this phenomenon called Gandhi.  Even today when cold and hot war between North Korea and USA gaining momentumm , only Gandhi's teachings can save the world. 

Gandhi was shot dead by an extremist mentality. Even after his death many people tried to kill him again and again. They attempted through hate speeches, vilifying him through plays, false propoganda, through abuses on social media but this half naked old man is still alive. Everyday he is gathering more and more followers across the world. No Indian leader is accepted on the world stage if he ignores Gandhi. Magic of Gandhi has remained  intact inspite of  pumping bullets in his chest  seventy years back.

But one thing is sure - Gandhi will never die !

दोन याचिका

By : Vijay Rawoot

पंचाऐशी वर्षापुर्वी भगतसिंग, सुखदेव व राजगुरू यांना लाहोर तुरुंगात फासावर चढवले गेले. त्यावेळी भगतसिंगांचे वय होते फक्त 23 वर्षांचे. संपुर्ण आयुष्य समोर पडले असताना तसेच घरचे लोक, मित्र मंडळी सांगत असताना देखील त्यांनी ब्रिटिशांकडे गुडघे टेकले नाहीत. उलट त्यांनी शेवटची याचिका दाखल केली तीच इंग्रजांचे डोके सुन्न करणारी होती. त्या याचिकेत लिहिले होते , "जर मी सरकारशी युध्द पुकारले आहे या माझ्यावरील आरोपांवर आपण ठाम असाल तर मला फासावर न चढवता युध्दातील नियमांप्रमाणे फायरींग स्कॉडकडून गोळ्या घालून ठार मारावे."

पण त्याच बरोबर त्यांनी आपल्या देशबांधवांचे शोषण ब्रिटीश व मुठभर भारतीय बांडगुळे कशा प्रकारे करत आहेत तसेच आपल्या देशासमोर कशाप्रकारचे ध्येय असले पाहिजे याचासुध्दा मुद्देसुदपणे उल्लेख केला होता. भगतसिंग त्यात म्हणाले होते,  "होय ! हे युद्ध अस्तित्वात आहे आणि जोपर्यंत हे शोषण थांबत नाही तोवर हे सुरूच राहील."

"जरी आपले सरकार आमच्यातील मुठभर उच्चभ्रू श्रीमंतांना आमिष दाखवुन व सवलती देऊन मुख्य लढा कमकुवत करेल...जरी स्वातंत्र्याची चळवळ व रिव्होल्युशनरी पार्टी लढ्यात एकाकी पडेल....जरी निराधार झालेल्या महिला कार्यकर्त्यांचा, त्यांच्या पतीच्या, भावाच्या बलिदानाचा विसर शांती प्रक्रियेदरम्यान होईल ....जरी तुमचे दलाल खालच्या पातळीवर जाऊन त्यांच्या स्वच्छ चारित्र्यावर शिंतोडे उडवुन त्यांची व पक्षाची प्रतिमा मलीन करायचा प्रयत्न करतील....

तरीदेखील हा लढा सुरुच राहिल...."

सद्या हिंदुत्व, राष्ट्रीयत्व व देशभक्ती यावर रान उठवले जात असताना हिंदुत्व संकल्पनेचे मुख्य प्रवर्तक विनायक सावरकरांच्या याचिकेवर नक्कीच नजर टाकावी लागेल. आणि हे करत असताना हिंद व हिंदुत्व यामधील फरक देखील जाणवेल.

सावरकरांच्या क्रांतिकारक हालचालींना सरकारने पन्नास वर्षांची शिक्षा सुनावून त्यांना आंदमानला काळ्या पाण्याच्या शिक्षेवर पाठवले होते. पण पहिल्या महिन्यापासुनच त्यांनी पत्राद्वारे ब्रिटीश सरकारची विनवणी सुरू केली होती. 1911  ला अटक व 1924 ला सुटका होईपर्यंत असंख्य पत्रांमध्ये त्यांचा सूर एकच होता. "मला मुक्त करा, मी स्वातंत्र लढ्यात कधीच भाग घेणार नाही आणि ब्रिटीश राजवटीशी एकनीष्ठ राहीन." त्यांचे हिंदुत्ववादी भक्त त्यांची ती एक चाल होते हे कितीही म्हणत असले तरी, सावरकर नंतर ब्रिटीश सरकारशी प्रामाणिक तर राहिलेच पण इंग्रजांच्या डिव्हाइड अँड रुलला सोयीस्कर अशी हिंदुत्व संकल्पना पुढे रेटली जी मुस्लीम लीगला पुरक होती.

त्यांचे माफीनामे 'स्ट्रैटेजीक' होते या मताला छेद देणारे उतारे सावरकरांच्याच पत्रांमधेच दिसुन येतात. त्यांनी सुरवातीसच लिहीले होते की, " मी व माझ्यासारखे इतर कैदी येथे आणले गेले पण फक्त मला 'डी' म्हणजे डेंजरस या वर्गवारीमधे ठेवण्यात आले. सहा महिने एकांतवासाची शिक्षा तसेच काथ्या तयार करण्यासारख्या कामाने माझ्या हातातुन रक्तस्त्राव होत आहे. मला यावेळी तेल काढण्याच्या शिक्षेला देखील जुंपले गेले. सहा महिन्यानंतर इतर सर्वांना बाहेर फिरवुन आणले पण मला मात्र माझे वर्तन चांगले असुनही बाहेर नेले नाही. मला जेवण देखील चांगले मिळत नाही."  नंतर त्यांना दोन तीनदा बाहेर नेल्यावर देखील तक्रार करु लागले, " इतर कैद्यांना डझनभरवेळा बाहेर नेले आगे मला फक्त दोनदाच. मी जर या तुरुंगात राहिलो तर माझी जगण्याची इच्छाच मरुन जाईल. मला कमीतकमी देशातील तुरुंगात हलवा. इतर कैद्यांप्रमाणे मला माझ्या नातेवाईकांना तरी भेटता येईल. मला तेवढच बरं वाटेल."

इतकेच नव्हे तर त्यांनी पुढे विनवणी केली की, "जर मला सोडुन दिले तर सरकारशी एकनीष्ठच राहीन. त्यामधेच देशाचं भलं आहे. मला जर मुक्त केले तर बाहेरील जनता पण आपल्या ब्रिटीश सरकारचा जयजयकार करेल. मी देखील सर्व युवकांना लढ्यापासुन परावृत्त करुन मुख्य प्रवाहात आणू शकेन. सर्वशक्तिमानच दयावान असू शकतो. म्हणुन हा पुत्र मायबाप सरकारचा दरवाजा ठोठावण्या शिवाय कुठे जाणार ?" जर ही चाल होती तर दरवेळी सावरकर स्वत:च्या व इतर कैद्यांच्या शिक्षेची व सवलतींची तुलना  वेळोवेळी  का करत होते ? उलट या युक्तिवादामुळे सरकार इतर कैद्यांची शिक्षा देखील कडक करण्याचा धोका होता. 

या दोन्ही Petitions बारकाईने अभ्यासल्या तर हिंद व हिंदुत्व या मधील फरक  समजुन यायला वेळ लागणार नाही. तसेच सावरकरांच्या माफिनाम्याला अनुसरुन  सध्याच्या शूरवीर भक्तांच्या राष्ट्रप्रेमाचा व हिंदुत्व हेच राष्ट्रीयत्व या संकल्पनेचा जरी अभ्यास केला तर संकटकाळी आजच्या या सरड्यांची धाव देखील कुंपणापर्यंतच असणार याचा नक्कीच अंदाज येईल. 

********

............................................................................

Ref :

Translation by

Shahid Bhagat Singh 

Research Committee

shahidbhagatsingh.org

R C Mujumdar Penal Settlements 

in Andamans Publication Division 

1975

Lets not defeat the King !

By : Vijay Rawoot

We are a celebration loving Nation. Every year we have hundreds of reasons to celebrate. Hindu calendar is just flooded with our festivals and with the anniversaries of the  greats. And we never  forget to complete these yearly rituals. Most of us even don't discriminate when it comes to the festivals of  other sects and religions. We go to Dargas, Churches or Gurudwaras and participate in their feasts as well. In short we very much love to eat, dance and enjoy on whatever big or small occasion. That's fine till it's limited to mythological traditions, though most of them are not exactly based on any logical reasoning. At the same time these festivals are good for our economy where turnover of Crores of rupees is seen during fairs and feasts. Dahi Handi, Ganesh Festival, Durga Puja and village fairs are visible examples before us. As if these  celebrations were less, we even started celebrating Valentine's, Mother's, Father's, Teacher's, friendship Days and so on,  thanks mainly to the social media and Whatsapp forwards.

But what bothers the most is the way we celebrate Birth Anniversaries of  those who have created history and left their mark behind. We are not sure, how many those who dance in Jayanti  processions do even care to read the life of their idols. Least to say about how many of them follow their footsteps.  Participation in Shivjayanti doesn't mean one is brave on the battle field or a perfect Administrator. It also doesn't mean that he respects women and other religions. Participation in Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti and shouting Jai Bhim slogans not necessarily means  participants are studious gentlemen or eager to acquire knowledge like him. And this is sadly true for all events related to grand  personalities  in our country.

I am writing this blog on the occasion of Rajarshi Shahu Jayanti has the backdrop of painful incidences in today's right wing dominated regime. When we call Shahu as Progressive King of masses, we must also remember his work for the poor and downtrodden. We should not forget his philosophy of universal brotherhood when he started boarding houses for the students of Marathas, Muslims, Lingayats, Jains, Daivadnyas and  for the backward communities. We must recall his praises for Missionary work of Christians. We also have to recall naming of Mary Wanlace Hospital and Irwin Christian School to honour Missionary work. We have to remember his presence of mind when he used to give new names like 'Pandit' to his untouchable wrestlers because North Indian upper caste wrestlers were unwilling to play with backward class opponents of Kolhapur those days. There are many such incidences which are diagonally opposite to the path on which his descenders or followers are walking today for their own selfish gains.

Most important character of Shahu was catching the bull by its horns. I never came across any incidence in Shahu's life where he was scared or diplomatic while expressing himself. He was the one who always displayed his loving and blunt sides at the same time. This was the most vital aspect of Shahu's character and unfortunately many Shahu lovers are afraid to imbibe this very important quality of their idol. Deafening silence of the intellectuals and celebrities on the issues like atrocities on Dalits,  mob lynching of  Muslims, vandalism of  Churches, rapes on minors, abusing women by trolls, undeclared censorship on media is not a very good sign for the proud democracy. All must remember the saplings of democracy were planted in Shahu's regime itself. Unless we wake up and call  spade a spade we are not true followers of our beloved King. Moreover we will be defeating his progressive ideology.

Yearly Jayanti is just a ritual. Lets walk on his path everyday !    

Mallama - The Warrior

By : Vijay Rawoot

India has produced many women warriors but we know only few of them,  those figured in history books. India is a widely spread land across length and breadth. The fact is Indian History is not limited only to the present geographical India. But we find history has been created by our greats  time to time across the Indian subcontinent. If we talk about queens, we are aware of the valour of Maharani Tarabai, Kittur Rani Channama,  Razia Sultan and Rani Laxmi Bai. They took on their respective enemies and tried to demolish  them though they were not always successful. But their names were permanently engraved in history and will be remembered forever. If we go deep into the interiors of India we find many brave women who created storms during their times. What is  most important to note that, such women across India have proved that they become real Durgas in demanding situations.

Apart from above queens, Begam Hajrat Mahal, Jhalkari Bai, Rani Velu Nachiyar, Onake Obbava, Keladi Chennama and many more women have special place in the history of India. But there was a lingayat lady Mallama Desai who ruled her Belavadi - Bailhongal State must be remembered for her bravery and her special encounter with Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.  It was the year 1678 and by that time king had overpowered most of the deadly enemies. When Maharaj was returning back from the South Indian victory he was camped near Bailhongal near Belagavi where he saw a small fort (Gadhi).  He ordered his commander to raid that fort and merge it into Swarajya. But to his surprise soon he realised that he was into a tough fight.

Actually that fort was of Yeasjiprabhu Desai who had died in the battle against Marathas. But as soon as he fell down his wife Mallama took over the command of Belavadi army. Mallama who was the daughter of  Sode King  Madhuling Nayaka was a brave girl since her childhood. She was very aggressive young lady and went on to form a women army of brave females after marriage. This was considered to be the first women army in the Indian subcontinent. She wanted to take revenge of her husband's death and kept on fighting against maratha army for entire month. Shivaji Maharaj was surprised to see the fight put up by such a small state against his army. Finally one day maratha soldiers surrounded her and cut the leg of her horse. As she fell down on the ground they caught her and arrested. She was produced before Chatrapati Shivaji. Maharaj always had great respect for women. Inspite of a tough battle he showed same respect towards Mallama. Shivaji Maharaj lovingly said "My sister, it was my mistake to fight against you ...". In recognition of her bravery and gallontary fight of a widow to take revenge, Maharaj returned back Belavadi fort and the captured territory to her for the maintenance (Doodh-Bhat ) of her child. Mallama was shocked to see such  noble gesture from her 'enemy' and realised the greatness of  Maratha King. She treated Shivaji Maharaj like her brother and decided to install his sculptures across her state.

She made several sculptures of Shivaji Maharaj and sent them to various places. One such sculpture is still found in a Hanuman Temple  at Yadwad, 10 kms. from Dharwad. Shivaji Maharaj riding a horse and marching along with his soldiers is seen in it. There is also a dog (Vaghya?) walking alongwith him. On the lower portion, Maharaj is holding a bowl in his hand and feeding milk to the Mallama's child  who is seen sitting on his lap. Mallama too is seen standing nearby. This is probably first sculpture or a statue of Shivaji Maharaj that was made during his lifetime itself.  What a fortunate lady Mallama to get brother none other than the great Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj !

*****

महाराज

By : Vijay Rawoot

आपल्या देशामधे सर्वात दुर्दैवाची गोष्ट कुठली झाली असेल तर महापुरुषांना जात, भाषा, प्रांत यामधे बाांधुन ठेवले गेले. शिवाजी महाराज मराठ्यांचे व मुस्लिम विरोधी, महाराज म्हणजे रोहिडेश्वरची शपथ, शाहिस्तेखानाची बोटे, अफझलखानाचा कोथळा, पावनखिंड अशा गोष्टी बालपणी ऐकल्या की महाराजांचा इतिहास संपला असा समज होत असावा. तरीपण सी.बी.एस्.ई. च्या मानाने महाराष्ट्र शिक्षण मंडळाचे चौथीचे पुस्तक महाराजांचा इतिहास चांगल्या प्रमाणात वर्षानुवर्षे मुलांना शिकवत आहे. इतर राज्यात राहणा-या मुलांना तर महाराज फक्त सिरीयल मधेच बघायला मिळत असतील.

कोणत्याही महापुरुषाचा इतिहास  शाळा महाविद्यालयात पंधरा वर्षे शिकवला जाऊ शकत नाही. शाळेत इतर पाच विषय असतात व महाविद्यालयात स्पेशलायझेशन् असते या गोष्टींचा पण विचार केला पाहिजे. वैद्यकीय, अभियांत्रिकी, व्यवस्थापन या शाखा तर सोडाच पण कला शाखेत फक्त इतिहास व त्यात फक्त महाराजांचाच इतिहास शिकवला तर जगभरात हजारो वर्षे घडलेला इतिहास विद्यार्थी कधीच शिकू शकणार नाहीत.

आपला देश म्हणजे उत्सवप्रिय देश आहे. सानिया मिर्झाचा काळ होता तेंव्हा  टेनिस रॅकेटस् चा खप वाढलेला. विश्वनाथन आनंद ग्रँडमास्टर झाला आणि चेस बोर्डस् ची विक्री प्रचंड वाढली. आता Uri - द सर्जिकल स्ट्राईक चित्रपट बघुन पालक मुलांना आर्मी मधे कधी जातोस विचारत असतील. शिवजयंती म्हणजे पण एक उत्सवापुरता मर्यादित दिवस ठरला आहे.  राजकारण्यांचे शक्तिप्रदर्शन व एक दिवस सायलेंसर काढुन 'चायना मेड' कापडाचे भगवे झेंडे नाचवायचे म्हणजे मर्दुमकी असे काहितरी वातावरण होतयं. 

सोशल मिडीया म्हणजे त्यावर सगळेच  लेखक,  कवी, इतिहासकार व संगीतकार. प्रत्येकजण स्वयंभू. त्यात पण  प्रत्येकाचा स्वत:चा काहितरी अजेंडा असतो. पण काही असले तरी  महाराजांना सर्वप्रथम 'हिंदवी स्वराज्य संस्थापक' या बेडीतुन मुक्त करुन रयतेचा राज्य निर्माता या त्यांच्या पुरोगामी व्यक्तिमत्वाला मुलांसमोर आणत राहिले पाहिजे. इंटरनेटवर वर महाराजांचे फोटो, इतके भडक करुन दाखवले जातात की  त्यातुन ना इतिहास समजतो ना कलात्मकता दिसते. अनेकदा खोटा इतिहासच पुढे फॉरवर्ड केला जातो.

व्याख्याने इतिहासावरील वा अध्यात्मिक असतील तर साठी गाठलेली आणि जी इतिहास घडवू शकणार नाहीत, घरच्यांना अडचण नको म्हणुन बाहेर असतात अशी मंडळीच सभागृहात दिसतील. ज्यांनी देशाचे भविष्य घडवायचे आहे ते युवक फार कमी दिसतील. जाणता राजा  व शिवगर्जना सारखी महानाट्ये याकामी चांगली भुमिका वठवत आहेत.

आज शिक्षकांकडुन फार अपेक्षा करण्याचे दिवस नाहीत. (काही सन्माननीय अपवाद सोडुन). त्यांचाच सर्वांगीण अभ्यास किती झालाय व महाराज त्यांना किती समजलेत  हा एक संशोधनाचा विषय असेल. आपल्या देशात ऐतिहासीक संशोधनासाठी प्रोत्साहन मिळत नाही हे कटू सत्य आहे. डिस्कव्हरी , हिस्ट्री, नॅशनल जिओग्राफी  सारखे एकही चॅनल आपल्या देशात नाही ही  वस्तुस्थिती आहे.    

महाराजांचा इतिहास पुढच्या पिढीपर्यंत पोहचवायची जबाबदारी पालकांची आहे. ती त्यांनीच पार पाडली पाहिजे. आईबाप आपल्या सुप्त इच्छा मुलांकडुन पूर्ण करायाला बघत असतात. त्यापेक्षा शिवाजी, शाहू यांचा इतिहास प्रामाणिकपणे मुलांना सांगितला तर खरोखर पुढच्या पिढीवर उपकार होतील व त्यांना प्रेरणा मिळेल. पु.ल.देशपांडे म्हणायचे "पुण्यात एखादी मुलगी सायकलवरुन कॉलेजला जात असली तर मी तिला विचारतो, तुझ्या शिक्षणासाठी कुणी दगड व शेणाचा मारा झेलला आहे ते माहित आहे का ?"  तर अशा ऐतिहासिक महान स्त्री पुरुषांची महती पालकांनीच मुलांना सांगितली पाहिजे. 

आजच्या दिवसात महाराजांचे कार्य व विचार यांचा प्रसार करणे ही सर्वांचीच जबाबदारी आहे. जाती व धर्मांचे ध्रुविकरण होत असताना महाराजांनी सर्व जातींना जवळ केलेच पण कोणत्यीही धर्माविरुद्ध युद्ध पुकारले नाही हे ठासून बिंबवले पाहिजे. त्यांचे युद्ध अदिलशहा, निजाम, मुघल, सिद्दी, इंग्रज यांच्याशी होते तसेच मराठा सरदारांशीही होते. त्यांचे वैर इस्लाम वा इसाही धर्माशी होते असे औरंगजेब आणि ब्रिटीश पण म्हणू शकत नव्हते. 

****** 

मंत्र तीन अक्षरांचा

"एक क्षणिक लाट आपल्या देशाला वाहून काढते  आणि आपण  कल्पना करतो  कि आपल्यात भक्कम एकी तयार झाली आहे. पण आपल्या समाजात असलेली छिद्रे व भगदाडे आपले काम गुप्तपणे करत  असतात आणि आपण कोणतीही चांगली  कल्पना जास्त काळ जवळ बाळगू शकत नाही. शिवाजीचे ध्येय  होते ही सर्व छिद्रे मुजवण्याचे. त्याची तीव्र इच्छा होती मुघल आक्रमणापासून अशा हिंदू समाजाला वाचवायची जो प्रत्येक श्वासागणिक जातिभेद मानण्यात आपला गौरव समजतो. अशा विषमतेने भरलेल्या समाजाने  संपूर्ण भारतावर विजय  मिळवावा असे त्याला वाटत होते. त्याने वाळूचे दोर बनवायला बघितले आणि अशक्यकोटीतील प्रयत्न केले. हे कोणत्याही मनुष्याच्या शक्ती पलीकडील होते. निसर्गाच्या दैवी नियमाच्या विरुद्ध पण होते, जातीवर आधारीत दुभंगलेल्या व अंतर्गत भगदाडे पडलेल्या समाजाने भारतासारख्या खंडप्राय देशावर स्वराज्य स्थापन करणे."  हे उद्गार दुसऱ्या कोणाचे नसून कविवर्य रवींद्रनाथ टागोर यांचे आहेत. यातुन  आपल्याला जाणवते ती  म्हणजे भारताची सामाजिक परिस्थिति आणि शिवाजी महाराजांनी मनाशी बाळगलेली  असामान्य महत्वाकांक्षा.  महाराजांनी मुघल, आदिलशाह, निजाम, पोर्तुगीज, सिद्धी व इंग्रज अशा एकापेक्षा एक बलाढ्य शत्रूंशी लढत आपले स्वराज्य स्थापन केले म्हणुनच त्याला अनन्यसाधारण महत्व आहे.

अठरापगड जाती मध्ये दुभंगलेल्या आपल्या समाजातील मावळ्यांना बरोबर घेत अत्यंत धाडसाने आणि नियोजनबद्ध  पद्धतीने एकेक शत्रूला पाणी पाजत महाराजांनी हे स्वराज्य निर्माण केले होते ज्याचा ६ जून  १६७४ रोजी राज्याभिषेक पार पडला. पठाणांनी देवगिरीची  व आदिलशाहने विजयनगर साम्राज्याची राखरांगोळी  केल्यानंतर  स्वतःचा राज्याभिषेक करून गादीवर बसणारा पहिलाच हिंदू राजा म्हणजे छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज. ज्यावेळी हिंदुस्तानात कोणतीही छोटी गोष्ट  आलमगीर औरंगझेबाच्या परवानगी शिवाय करता येत नसायची  त्या काळात एक स्वतंत्र राज्य निर्माण करून स्वतःला सार्वभौम राजा  घोषित करणे हे काम भारतातल्या कोणत्याही हिंदू राजाला शक्य झाले नव्हते. त्यामुळेच महाराजांचा राज्याभिषेक हा एक देशाच्या इतिहासातील अत्यंत महत्वाचा दिवस म्हणून कोरला गेलेले आहे. आपला पहिला स्वातंत्र दिन.

सैन्यदलातील कार्यक्षमता, तिचा वेग, सैनिकांचे कल्याण, सैनिकांनी शत्रूचा लुटलेला माल जसाच्या तसा खजिन्यात जमा करणे, लहानातील लहान माहिती मिळवण्यासाठी गुप्तहेरांचे जाळे देशभर पसरवणे यावर त्यांनी बारीक लक्ष ठेवले होते. स्वतः जन्मजात योद्धा असल्यामुळे धक्कातंत्र , गनिमी कावा , वेग या तीन तंत्रांच्या आधारावर आपली युद्धनीती यशस्वी करत होते. अफझलखानची भेट - प्रतापगडाचे युद्ध, पन्हाळ्याच्या वेढ्यातून निसटणे, शाहिस्तेखानवर हल्ला, कारतालबखानचा पराभव आणि आग्र्याहून सुटका हे महाराजांच्या जीवनातील जीवावरचे प्रसंग आजही भारतीय सेनेच्या प्रशिक्षणामध्ये शिकवले जातात.

शिवाजी महाराजांची महानता त्यांनी किती भूभाग जिंकला किंवा किती खजिना सोडून गेले यात नक्कीच मोजता येणार नाही. ज्या काळामध्ये मुघल साम्राज्य अत्यंत शिखरावर होते व हिंदुस्तानच्या कोणत्याही कोपऱ्यातून होणार विरोध अक्षरशः ठेचून काढला जायचा त्याकाळात कोणतीही पार्श्वभूमी नसताना एका जमीनदाराच्या मुलाने स्वतः नवीन वाटा धुंडाळत नवीन राज्य स्थापने  हे कल्पनेच्या बाहेरचे होते. स्वतःच्या मर्यादा ओळखून तसेच पद्धतशीरपणे राजकारण करून अत्यंत मुत्सद्दीपणाने योजना आखत त्यांनी रयतेचे राज्य निर्माण केले. चेहरा पाहून  माणसाला ओळखायची असाधारण शक्ती अवगत असल्याने कोणत्या व्यक्तीला कोणती जबाबदारी द्यायची हे देखील आत्मप्रेरणेने त्यांनी केले. राजा जवळ नसला तरी आखून दिल्याप्रमाणे कार्य करायचे प्रशिक्षण महाराजांनी त्यावेळच्या असंघटित मराठ्यांना दिले. म्हणूनच शंभूराजांनी नऊ वर्षे व त्यांच्या बलिदानानंतर १८ वर्षे औरंगझेबासारख्या अलामगिराशी मराठ्यांनी लढा दिला आणि याच मातीत त्याला संपवले.

शिवाजी महाराजांच्या चारित्र्याबद्दल नेहमीच लिहिले गेले आहे. काफी खान सारख्या शत्रूच्या लेखकाला पण त्यामध्ये दुर्गुण आढळला नाही. प्रसिद्ध इतिहासकार जदुनाथ सरकार यांनी म्हणलंय  की "शिवाजी हा बालपणापासूनच धार्मिक पण अंतःप्रेरणेवर व प्रशिक्षणावर आधारित कार्य करणारा, अध्यात्मिक ग्रंथ - गोष्टींची आवड असणारा, आहारावर नियंत्रण ठेवणारा, वाईट गोष्टींपासून दूर असणारा व महापुरुषांना सन्मानाने वागवणारा होता. धर्म किंवा अध्यात्म हा एक ऊर्जेचा धबधबा म्हणून व सर्वांना उदारतेने व ममतेने वागण्यासाठी  त्याने वापरला. त्यामुळे शिवाजी कधी धर्मांध झाला नाही. हिंदू व मुसलमान अशा सर्वच संतांना त्याने आदराने वागवले. त्याचप्रमाणे आपल्या सैन्यात नैतिकतेचा महत्वाचा नियम घालून दिला. त्यालाच अनुसरून कोणत्याही धर्माच्या स्त्रीला, संतांना, धर्मग्रंथांना  सन्मानाने वागवायचा आदेश काढून त्याची नेहमीच अंमलबजावणी केली."

शिवाजी महाराजांचे यश हे त्यांच्या नैतिक अधिष्ठानावर आधारित आहे.  जातपात विरहित तसेच धर्मनिरपेक्षपणाने केलेला राज्यकारभार हेच महाराजांचे कल्याणकारी राज्य. शेतकरी व सैन्य यांच्या भल्यासाठी सदैव दक्ष असणाऱ्या या राजाने स्वाभिमानाचा मंत्र रयतेत रुजवला. आपल्याला आजपण ताठ कण्याने व अभिमानाने जगता  येण्यासाठी 'शिवाजी' या तीनच अक्षरांचा मंत्र पुरेसा आहे. 

********