The Nine Nights Festival.

Raje got to Pune from Bengaluru. The news spread in the whole Maval. Everyone came to visit Shivaji-Raje. Patil, Kulkarni, Desai, Deshpande, and Deshmukh all had been visiting. Raje was the same, just a bit grown up. The change was only in the court. Previously, only some officials could be seen, but now The Peshwa, Minister, and Councilor had been appointed.

After coming back in a long time, Shivaji was hearing about the happenings in the past one and half years from Dadoji Narhekar. He got busy in official work. Dadoji was strictly instructing Shivaji-Raje about the external and the court's tasks, seeing and replying to letters, and other work was being brought upon Shivaji.

Raje was done bathing and praying. Jija-bai was waiting, he sat on the Paat after touching her feet, and he brought a jug of milk to his lips. Jija-bai said after he was done drinking milk,

"Raje, go now! otherwise, Dadoji will give blame if you are late for the court."

At that moment. The servant came in, he informed, "Mudhoji-rao Nimbalkar has come."

Shivaji-Raje stood up hurriedly. he began going outside. Jija-bai said,

"Raje, Mudhoji-Rao is your Father in law. Are you going to go in front of him like this?"

Coming back inside, he wore the turban, and left with Jija-bai.

"Come, Raje! What does Bengaluru say?" Madhoji-Rao asked.

Raje smiled, and Mudhoji-Rao bowed in salute after Jija-bai came in. She asked,

"Saheb, you came but did not bring my daughter-in-law with you?"

"How can that be? Raje will be angry otherwise. Mudhoji-Rao said, "Raani-Saheb. see? there comes the palanquin."

Maidservants ran forward after the Palanquin arrived at the gate. Sai-bai came inside the mansion after washing her feet. Her image had changed by the Sari she wore. She was brimming with confidence even though a young age. She was glancing over everybody, She was accepting the coming salutes. She accepted Dadoji's salute with the same smile.

She came inside the mansion's first hall. she touched the feet of Jija-bai who was standing at the doorway. She went where Dadoji was and did Namaskar to Dadoji, then she returned to Jija-bai's side. Jija-bai pinched her cheek lightly and said.

"Confident, are we? And who's going to greet the husband, huh?"

The composure went away who know where. Sai-bai laughed spontaneously, she snuggled to Jija-bai. Jijau said while caressing her,

"Now that's Good, But don't be too smug. Raje has taken a second wife in Bengaluru."

"Let him."

"She is prettier than you, fair-skinned."

"Let her, she will play with me."

Everyone laughed, Jija-bai said to Mudhoji-Rao,

"She is very suitable to be a queen."

Two days later Mudhoji-Rao left leaving Sai-bai behind. Sai-bai settled in the mansion. Girls from Pune would gather around her.

It was noon, Sai-bai came to Jija-bai. She said when Jijau looked up.

"Masi-Saheb."

"Don't you dare call me 'Masi-Saheb' again!"

Sai-bai smiled, she said,

"Mother."

Hiding her smile Jija-bai said. "What do you want? Sai! you should grow up now, you and the other girls take the house over your heads. An attitude like this is not good at the in-law"

Sai-bai turned, saddened, Jija-bai yelled.

"Oh, Turn back."

Sai-bai turned back, Jijau asked.

"Why did you come?"

"Today is Friday, I wanted to ask if I can go to Jogeshvari temple."

"yes, you may. Go tell Pant."

Sai-bai went running, and Dadoji was writing something. Seeing Sai-bai he asked,

"My lady, what's the order?"

"I will not speak if you be like this."

"It's true, You're now the lady of the house, she is The Mother of the household."

"Pant, may I go to the temple?"

In the evening, Sai-bai with maids and her girlfriends went to the Temple.

The Nine Nights Festival was near. Goddess Sculptures were set in every house. Goats were butchered in front of the mansion everday. Raje had to pay visits to various Gods and Goddesses. Every morning after bathing, Raje would ride on his decorated horse and visit The Ganpati, Jogeshwari, and Mahadev Temples. The mansion was bustling and hustling. Every time the Nine Nights Festival came, all the weapons were cleaned, washed, and sharpened at the point where they shinned. Swords, and spears, would be scrubbed with Salt and Tamarind. On the day On which the goddess statues and sculptures were seated in houses, every weapon would be worshipped. Raje would get enjoyment watching those various weapons in one place. He liked different types of blades, spears, javelins, pikes, bending belts, daggers, knives, shields, and claws. Many weapons would come into the mansion and he would carefully examine their image and weight.

In the Mansion's Mini Temple, Gold lamps were lit for Nine nights without any break. The Eight handed goddesses' sculpture would glow slightly by the light.

A Huge festival would be organized in the mansion's square during the Nine Nights, Echoes of 'Hail Goddess Jagdambe' or 'O'Great Goddess' could be heard in the surroundings. Everyone would gather in bulk to watch the festival. Mystics who wore the specific circular stones acquired in the oceans woven in a string around their necks were standing with oil applied to their bodies. People danced along with the hymns which praised the Goddess in ecstasy. Raje liked swaying along with the rhythm of the sound a lot.

On the morning of the Ninth Day, A decorated horse would come with drums and bangs at the mansion's gate. Goats would be sacrificed to the deities in the doorway; The horse would then enter the mansion over the blood with pride. Raje would take the normally unused small sword out and touch it with his forehead.

Raje went to Jija-bai in the evening wearing good clothes. Pinching his cheeks she said,

"Raje, Living in the comfort zone will not last for many days now"

"Then what to do?"

"Go outside for some gallantry, defeat your enemies. Fill the house with the sound of victory. and, bring home some prosperity."

"I will do so!"

Raje went and came back after looting the gold. Raje's horse which was adorned with golden ornaments was standing in front of the mansion. Raje got on the horse. Dadoji had also gone with him. Horsemen were in the back and front. The priest was ready for the ritual, and Raje picked up gold with his sword. The ceremony was concluded, and he went back to the mansion. Sai-bai greeted.

Raje went to the mini temple. Jija-bai made him stand on the doorstep his back was towards the doorstep. A covered pot was placed on the doorstep. Jija-bai said,

"Raje, now slash the sword at the doorstep without looking back."

Raje unsheathed his sword, he slashed at the doorstep without looking back.

"Is it done?"

"Yes"

Raje turned back, and Jija-bai picked up the pot. rice was scattered on the floor, she picked up the gold ring among the rice grains, and touched Raje's forehead. he asked,

"Mother, Why the ring?"

"Raje, this is not a ring; it is the representation of Goddess Lakshmi. You have come back after looting the Gold! Lakshmi also came from behind your back with you. You must have her inside without looking back, once she comes, then you must break her leg."

"Why do such a thing?" Raje exclaimed.

"Yes! how will she go outside again without a leg?"

Shivaji-Raje laughed.

Jija-bai said, "Raje, now you are not small. Always remember, Lakshmi will not be pleased if you keep going after her. She comes with a person who is accomplished behind his back. Always keep Lakshmi behind your back; and watch hardships in the front. Do not forget this... Dadoji must she waiting, go now."

Raje did his salutations and left.

The court was specially decorated. bowls covered with cloths were placed beside the sitting arrangements. The Bramhins¹ came after Raje sat on the throne. Raje stood up and gave themmfia the gold coins. Dadoji was constantly providing coins in Raje's hands. Raje was offering them. The officials came. Patil, Nobles came. After that, the servants and workers came. Raje stood up and rested his forehead on Dadoji's feet. Dadoji caressed him. ( Note - This is the highest degree of respect you can give to someone in India.)

Jija-bai said,

"Raje, you didn't give coins to Dadoji?"

bringing Raje near Dadoji said,

"Maa-Saheb, this is the greatest coin fate has given me."

FUN FACT - In India, the Nine Night Festival is actually going on at the moment I'm writing this chapter.

1 - Bramhins are the second highest caste in the Indian caste system. the first is 'Kshatriya' which means the ruling class. 'Bramhins' are mostly priests and Intellectuals. they offer their services to the ruling class and the commoners for rituals, sacrifices, and council."