Little Shivaji was growing up with the love and care of his mother, grandmother, and maids.
if some merchant would come and show some toys; Vishvas-rao would immediately buy them. The priest who would return from Junnar brought bronze ornaments for the legs.
Days would begin and end in Little Shivaji's playfulness. Shivaji was changing like the moon's phrases. he would laugh after recognizing familiar people. he would try to move while in different positions to get to the toy; and with that, he learned to use his four limbs to learn the act of crawling. as his hands were becoming sturdy, things around Shivaji were being put on some height.
monsoon came. the western breeze had begun. the clouds In the sky were drifting over the head. but their attention wasn't on the earth at all. the earth which was scorched by the heat of May - June was sighing in relief. after seeing the signs, Vishvas-rao gave the order to have the grains get to the fort secured warehouse.
one evening. Vishvas-rao suddenly went towards Jija-bai's chambers. Jija-bai received the notice of his arrival. Vishvas-rao looked, Jija-bai was doing embroidery. little Shivaji was playing with his toy, his attention went towards Vishvas-rao, and he stumbled. Vishvas-rao said while picking up little Shivaji,
"your ladyship, word has come that his lordship is heading towards the fort."
"When?" Jija-bai asked overwhelmed with joy.
Vishvas-rao turned with Shivaji, Jija-bai said.
"hand him over, I will change his clothes."
Vishvas-rao put down Shivaji and left. A silver bowl was placed at the inner square of the mansion. clean sheets were placed in the corridors, special sitting arrangements were made in the hall. beautiful silk carpets, pillows, bolsters, and snacks were arranged elegantly.
Jija-bai hurriedly changed clothes and put on ornaments. Lakshmi-bai was busy adorning little Shivaji. after she was done she started looking for Jija-bai, but she was nowhere to be found. she went outside the door, and her feet stopped.
Jija-bai was standing near the edge of the fort. her silk clothes were dazzling in the sunlight on her back. her sari was fluttering with the breeze. her gaze was towards the ground. Jija-bai didn't even realize when she came near. she turned, startled.
"oh, it's you. I was startled."
"I was searching for you; but you were nowhere to be found."
"I just came here to relax, let's go."
"no, let us stay for a while. what could be the reason to go back so early, I wonder?" Lakshmi-bai said while laughing.
"Why do you tease me so, bai?" Jija-bai said while sitting on the veranda.
both were observing the region under the fort. the whole region was looking dry. some time passed, and Jija-bai sat up. "why stood up?" Lakshmi-bai pointed her finger after saying. at some distance, dust clouds were soaring. the cloud was coming nearer by the moment. going around the fort the cavalry was heading towards Junnar town. The tapping sound was getting louder.
"Lakshmi-bai!"
"What?"
"Nothing, you will tease me."
"do tell! I won't tease. I swear!"
"let's go towards the west!"
"Understood! let's go, we will go beyond the lake."
both went towards the lakeshore in front of the mansion. Jija-bai looked... horses were entering Junnar. after looking for a whole she saw the horses leave Junnar town and head towards the fort. Lakshmi-bai asked,
"Milady, do we go below the fort? or back to the mansion?" Lakshmi-bai said giggling.
"Enough, bai! let's go."
both returned to the mansion.
Horn was sounded at the entrance permit gate. Vishvas-rao was standing with the Maratha clan's turban on his head. Naro Trimal and others were also present respectfully. The second gate's horn was sounded; Vishvas-rao with everyone else went for the welcome. everyone bowed respectfully. Vishvas-rao gave a hug in good faith. Vishvas-rao said.
"notice came suddenly so we couldn't come to welcome below the fort, I ask for forgiveness."
"I do not like when the family talks as if outsiders.... and, Naik? everything's fine?"
"Ji."
everyone went to the mansion. servants rushed. Shahaji-raje washed his hands and feet. the few people with him also washed up. everyone sat down on the arrangements in the hall. Vishvas-rao asked.
"Was there any difficulty during the journey?
Raje laughed with heart. he said.
" Vishvas-rao, Horse riding and the hardship have become such a habit that I also sleep on the horse even at night."
everyone laughed. after some time stopped. Shivaji came crawling from the inner entrance. everyone's gaze turned towards the cute and innocent child. Raje said while looking at Shivaji.
"Young Raje, come. I arrived to see you."
Shivaji looked at everybody once. a smile appeared on his face; and taking a leap he jumped towards Shahaji-raje. The priest said.
"Blood has recognized blood."
With a lot of love, Shahaji-raje picked up Shivaji, gave him lots of kisses, and placed him on his lap. Shivaji was messing with his father's beard. Vishvas-rao said with a smile.
"He is the first brave who has touched your lordship's beard."
"No, he's the second one. but I think that young raje has come with a decree."
"decree?"
"I will go inside."
Shahaji-raje stood up; picking up little Shivaji he went towards the inner square. he said while looking at Jija-bai.
"he fell asleep after seeing me."
"stubborn, he falls asleep after seeing his own"
Shahaji-raje began to sit down, Jija-bai said with a sweet tone.
"Mother in Law is waiting."
"almost made a mistake, show the way."
Shahaji-raje visited Uma-bai. after getting familiar with Jija-bai he asked.
"is everything fine?"
tears gathered in Jija-bai's eyes. she sobbed. Shahaji-raje stood up from his seat.
"I also received the news, to think father-in-law would get murdered like this, I too am saddened. we had enmity, true. but it was between family. I will not tolerate the outsider's interference. this is why I was angry; and left the service of the Neezam Sultanate and joined Adil Sultanate.
"how long is this going to go on?"
"do I like doing this? spent time with my wife and children, I also wish for this. but Shivaji will bring us good fortune. we will try to settle somewhere."
Shahaji-raje was at the fort for eight-ten days. he was enjoying his stay. he would look forward to have a laugh with little Shivaji, banquets were being held. Shahaji-raje inspected the fort. he exclaimed after seeing the Lumber and Food warehouses.
"how many years' preparations is this?"
"signs of dry are there, it's better to be prepared."
"was the tax money gathered?"
"but that..."
"Vishvas-rao, you are doing all that you can as it is, you are running a territory. you have to do what you must."
One day, an Urgent decree from the Mughal Empire came for Shahaji-raje. he opened the decree; his gaze went over the decree. after reading, Shahaji-raje exhaled deeply.
"Vishvas-rao, the days of rest are over."
"Why? what happened?"
"The emperor has initiated the conquest on the south. the camp is at Burhanpur. The master has come, as subordinate, I must go urgently. I will leave tomorrow!"
"is it not fine to leave in 2-4 days?"
"why not?" Shahaji-raje said, "but it goes against my beliefs. I cannot neglect my duty."
The next day Shahaji-raje was in preparation to leave. after bowing to Uma-bai she said.
"it would have been better if you have stayed for some more days. take care."
"Will you be staying here, mother?"
"Hmph, that won't be possible. God's work has been pending. I had come to our Ancestral Goddess's Temple when I got word that my daughter was here. so I came to visit."
"Then please take her with you."
"No...no... This old women's days will pass one way or another. there's dryness in the whole region. she will be fine here."
Raje took his leave; kissed Shivaji many times; and leaving everything else to Vishvas-rao, he left for Burhanpur to meet the Emperor.