Another Marriage, And Lesson On How a Lord Should Be.

Shivaji-Raje was strolling in the wonderful city; He was observing the various cloths and pots and utensils on the stalls. Shivaji-Raje suddenly caught something in his sight. He said to nearby Sambhaji.

"Brother, look there!"

Two tall, white pedestrians were walking on the road. Woven fabric hats were on their heads. They wore high, closed shoes. Sambhaji-Raje said.

"Raje! They are Firangi Merchants!"

('Firangi' means different colored... basically, you can take it as 'White merchants')

"Where do they reside?"

"Beyond the seven seas."

"Then, why did they come here?"

"For business."

"Do they not have their own country to do business?"

Sambhaji-Raje became speechless. He moved forward pretending to have not heard anything.

But fate again allowed Shivaji-Raje to see those merchants after four days. One day in the evening, Shahaji-Raje asked for Shivaji-Raje. When Shivaji-Raje went to the meeting chambers, The two sirs from before were standing there. Various weapons were scattered across in front of Shahaji-Raje. Shahaji pointed at those weapons after Shivaji came in and said.

"Raje, see if any one of these is to your liking."

Shivaji looked over all the weapons; and his gaze rested where the guns were. Shahaji-Raje asked.

"You can fire a gun?"

"I will learn!"

"Good! I will buy you a gun."

The Merchants eagerly showed the guns. The guns were of long tubes from the front. They were not heavy even though looked dense. The workmanship was excellent. Shahaji-Raje picked one. He came outside the mansion with Shivaji-Raje. The sir was busy loading the gun. A Coconut was brought in and placed in the square. With the loaded gun, Shahaji-Raje sat down on his knees. He aimed, and fired the trigger."

The coconut was blown up. Shahaji-Raje said.

"Raje, this weapon is good. it doesn't give much recoil. It's yours! keep it as a memento. Tomorrow I will ask the hunter, he will teach you."

News spread that Lord Raje had given a gun to Shivaji-Raje.

Shahaji-Raje liked it a lot when Shivaji-Raje was with him. When expert generals came. He would introduce Shivaji to them, he would say,

"He was born, and everything went well. Life's hardships ended."

When going outside, he would bring Shivaji with him. He would be spent answering Shivaji's many doubts

When Tuka-bai, Jijau were together in the palace, Shahaji suddenly came in. Both of them stood up hurriedly. Looking at Jijau, he said.

"Dadoji was giving me the report, Shivaba's wedding was celebrated quite lavishly. It seems."

Jijau said, frightened. "Was the expense too much?"

"Why didn't you spent more? that's the issue. Should have sent word, I would have sent my elephant for the marital procession."

"Everyone was waiting, for your arrival."

"It wasn't possible even if I wished, I wanted to be there at Shivaba's wedding."

"Then, let's have another wedding." Tuka-bai suggested.

"That's true! Is it even a wedding if I'm not there? but the bride?"

"I have one in mind. There's Soyra of the Mohite Family! That lass is like a constellation."

"Yes! Let's have the marriage then!" Shahaji-Raje left in happiness after saying.

Jija-bai did not like the abruptly decided marriage. She said.

"One marriage is done just recently. And another one so soon..."

"Multiple marriages look good on Lords and Kings. The first bride was from Nimbalkar Family...no?"

"Yes!"

"The Mohite household has a lot of weight."

Keeping her gaze on Tuka-bai, Jijau said.

"Maloji-rao's wife Deepa-bai is from the Nimbalkar Household."

"Yes, But you forget that back then Senior Nimbalkar was a Bargir."

( 'Bargir' refers to cavalryman in The Maratha or Mughal Armies. )

"He became a Lord from a Bargir! The Prince who was exiled became a King again! The house is identified by its gallantry. Young bai!"

"If the marriage is not needed... Then, should I tell this to the Lord?"

"When did I say that? I'm just saying."

A slight smile appeared on Tuka-bai's face.

'The Lord speaks, and subordinates move', Like that. The marriage was decided. The wedding began lavishly. On the elephant, in a Gold Palanquin. The couple began their marital procession. The whole of Bengaluru city shook with the sounds of cannons and guns. Shahaji-Raje's wish was fulfilled.

Shahaji-Raje lived gloriously.

Bathing, prayers, discussion on literature, Inspection of the weapon storehouse, Supervision of the army, strolling In the gardens, watching dance performances at night, musical plays, and entertainment. His day would go by in all these activities. The mansion which woke up by the sound of priests chanting and prayers would sleep with the sound of music and entertainment. There was a difference between heaven and earth in these two things. This routine would not change unless an expedition or Hunting trip came up. Shivaji was curious about everything.

If anyone came to visit the mansion. they were The Priests, Leaders, and Nobles. Some would come on horse or the Palanquin as per their status. Some's arrival would be welcomed with the sound of cannons or by the sound of horns.

In the second phase of the day, Shivaji was with his mother. Tuka-bai was also there. he suddenly said,

"Mother, why do people not come here as they did back home?"

Both looked at Shivaji, Jijau said.

"What are you saying? many Nobles and commanders come here."

"Not them, people like Patil, Master Nanu, And Mavale."

Tuka-bai said with a sarcastic smile, "Shivaji-Raje, This is the Lord's dwelling place. how can people like them come here? only Lords come at a Lord's house."

"Who's Lord?"

"The People's!"

"Then, the Lord whose people fear to came to their Lord's house, What Lord is that? In the 'Ramayana', when Lord Rama went to exile In the wilderness. Everyone went to escort him out of the town. He even hugged his people. Is that not a real King, Mother?"

( Note - Again, As I had mentioned in the previous chapter. It's a story from Indian Scripture 'Ramayana'.)

Tuka-bai's face became serious, Jija-bai said,

"Go, go outside and play! see, where your brother and Ekoji-Raje are."

Shivba went outside, but his doubts remained the same.