Jija-bai couldn't recover from the shock of the news of Lakhuji's demise. she would wake up suddenly at night midnight. she would sweat buckets. she would get very startled just by the noise of something dropping. she would look at the Lenyadri mountain range for hours. if someone went to talk, she would start sobbing.
Lakshmi-bai tried many times to console her but in vain.
one day Lakshmi-bai said.
"your ladyship, just what are you doing? everyone is in sorrow because of what happened. I do not worry about yourself but what about the child? what happens if this affects the baby?"
Jija-bai shivered with fear. she had forgotten about the child because of the loss of her father. she said.
"no, Lakshmi-bai. do not say such things. see? I wiped my tears. my sorrow is my own. no one else should suffer because of it."
"is that true?"
"I swear on Shivai's name. I will behave as you say. do not worry."
"at last."
Jijau again began to walk around the mansion after that day.
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nine months ended.
Lakshmi-bai wasn't able to think about anything. Vishvas-rao had begun to offer offerings to the gods. maids were at Jija-bai's side at all times. experienced doctors and well-known midwives were at the fort for service.
The chamber's walls in which the childbirth was going to happen were painted with Swastik Symbols ( Hindu Symbol ). The design of pearls was looking good on ceilings. Indian tall lambs with intricate carvings on them were placed in the room to dispel darkness. gold bowls of fresh water were placed on the table. the pleasant smell of incense was lingering In the air. every lifeform on the fort was eager to welcome a new life.
It was around the time of the second phrase of the day. chilly air was beginning to flow. Vishvas-rao, Gomaji Naik, and the doctor were sitting together and having leaves¹. While applying lime to the beetle leaf, Naik said to Vishvas-rao.
"Sire, you are not speaking today?"
"What to say... do you remember? when her ladyship had requested to pardon a thief?"
"yes, milady is much too kind."
"that's true, but day by day this has increased. complaints are coming. if rain doesn't come this year then it's going to be hard for the next one."
"may I speak?" the priest asked.
"why not."
"I don't see the next years to be good. dry can be seen in accordance to the planets."
"Instead of telling such awful things please tell something good about her ladyship."
"do not worry, I am relieved."
"saw the nerve today, not much time is left. any moment now..." the doctor said.
at that moment, a lady servant came. she said respectfully
"sire, her Ladyship is having stomach ache."
"as I guessed." The doctor muttered.
"I had said the same." Mystic exhaled with relief.
everyone quickly stood up. but after realizing there's no use, they again sat down.
time was passing like an ant. evening came. it was time to light up the lanterns, and yet there was no news. the tension was increasing with time. all that could be seen as the rapid movements of maids and midwives. Naro-pant had already gone towards the temple.
Lamps and torches were light, night was nigh. Vishvas-Rao was wandering around the mansion like a ghost. shadows were playing games on the walls. no one knew what to speak.
- and a female servant came running, happiness overflowing on her face. she said.
"sire, son has been born."
Vishvas-rao couldn't hide the happiness. he rewarded the servant with the pouch hung on his waist. the priest quickly began to note down the time of birth and other details. Vishvas-rao said.
"by Goddesses Grace!"
Vishvas-rao suddenly remembered Naro-pant, he quickly sent a servant to inform him.
the ladies cleaned the mother and the baby. everyone gave their blessings to the child. religious texts were being read. satisfaction was on the faces of ladies and maids. they were caring for Jija-bai with utmost faith.
Vishvas-rao went towards Jija-bai with the priest. the baby was showered with gold coins. Vishvas-rao said to Jija-bai.
"your ladyship, The priest is here."
Jija-bai joined her hands together for greetings with great hardship.
a seat was prepared for the priest, he sat down while muttering blessings. Silver Paat was brought in front of him. lamps were lightened up on both sides. The priest opened the horoscope. everyone was gathered eagerly to know the future of the child. words could be heard.
"Shri Ganeshay Namah:| Shubham Bhavatu..." he chanted in Sanskrit.
The priest counted something with his fingers. began the maths of time and other elements. planets were placed on their respective squares. The priest looked at Jija-bai after he was done with the horoscope.
Jija-bai said,
"respectable priest, do tell whatever it is without any hesitation. while this child was on his way, the household went into turmoil. blood relatives became enemies. our city was raised to the ground. he lost his grandfather even before birth. his father is going after the enemies. his elder brother is still small. he too is suffering in all this. the whole region is in a terrible state... and I have given him birth at not his father's or mother's place. this was the situation when he was in the stomach. now, what worse can happen when he is born?"
everyone's hearts shook after hearing this; but the wrinkles on the priest's face did not even move. he said calmly.
"your Ladyship, do not have such thoughts! don't let your heart touch such unholiness. bad luck is over, good time will come. The sun himself has been born!"
Jija-bai chuckled mockingly, she said.
"every priest says the same while checking a child's horoscope."
The priest became serious. he said in a calm but bold voice.
"Your Ladyship, do not give doubt a place in your heart. till today none of my prophecies have failed. not by God's grave but with wisdom and experience, I have prophesied with utmost self-confidence. it will not fail for all eternity. this child will resolve all past birth karma. do not forget your ladyship, Lord Krishna was born while his mother and father, Devaki-Vasudev were imprisoned.
"may sugar be on your tongue!" Jija-bai said in satisfaction. she looked at the baby in her lap. he was sleeping soundly while sucking on his fist.
1 - at that time people used to have beetle leaves with all sorts of spices and different material with lime while passing time. it was a good source of calcium.