When Shivaji took the pledge of Hindavi Swarajya by anointing Mahadev with his blood

At a distance of about 82 kilometers in the south-west direction of Pune, in the Bhor tehsil of Rohidkhore, amidst the picturesque valleys of the Sahyadris, at an altitude of about 4694 feet above sea level, Shri Raireshwar Garh is situated in dense forests. This is not the fort of Hindavi Swarajya, but this is the holy hill of Sahyadri, which became the witness of the auspicious resolution of Hindavi Swarajya. If one listens to the evening wind blowing in the mountain ranges of Sahyadri, then even today one can hear the echo of the vow of the brave child Shiva, who had uprooted the apostate Mughalia Sultanate. The ancient pagoda is still there on the broad mountain of Sri Rayareshwar, where a teenager along with some of his friends took the oath of ‘Swarajya’, which was difficult to imagine at that time. Due to the atrocities of the Mughalia Sultanate, the Hindu self had become forgotten. The thought had stopped coming in his mind that this land of India was his own. Why is he serving the Mughals here? Cow-Brahmins, women and religion were no longer safe in the country. Shivaji Maharaj had resolved to bring the Hindu society out of this darkness and once again to instill a sense of self-respect in its mind. We can say that the concept of Hindavi Swarajya was first announced here.

Self-proclaimed Mahadev is sitting on the delightful Utung peak of Sahyadri, who gives darshan of various forms of nature. Plants and vines of various types of flowers enhance the beauty of the dense forest here. The joy of the mind also increases with the chirping of different types of birds. Was surprised to think that a teenager came from Pune with his companions to take a resolution at the Shivalaya situated on this inaccessible plateau. At that time Shivaji was a teenager of 15-16 years. Kanhoji Jedhe, Baji Pasalkar, Tanaji Malusare, Suryaji Malusare, Yesaji Kank, Suryaji Kakade, Bapuji Mudgal, Narasprabhu Gupte, Sonopant Dabir were also with him from twelve Maval provinces. The brave child Shivaji must have shaken the mind of these lion-like mighty mavals in front of the self-respecting Shri Raireshwar Mahadev – “How long will we tolerate the subordination of the Mughals? How long will we allow religion to be attacked for the sake of a few jagirs? For how long will the atrocities on cows, brahmins and women continue to be tolerated? I can’t bear all this anymore. I have made a resolution”.

Shivaji’s powerful speech must have sent a wave among the Mavals and they must have said that Maharaj should express his wish. We will do as you say. Yes, we will do that. Maharaj must have been excited by this type of reply from the mavals and he must have said, then come, let us all take a pledge before Mahadev Shri Raireshwar that “we will establish our kingdom. Henceforth the establishment of Hindavi Swarajya will be the only aim of our life. We will suffer all kinds, we will support each other in every situation. Considering Mr. Raireshwar as a witness, we pledge that we will dedicate everything for the establishment of Swarajya”. Veer Shivaji said to further strengthen the faith of his comrades in the concept of ‘Hindavi Swarajya’ that it is not my wish but “Hindavi Swarajya hi Srinchi Ichha”. In other words, this desire for Hindavi Swarajya is the will of God. The atmosphere of the pagoda became inspiring due to the vibration of Ojasvi Vani and the energy of auspicious resolution. The thing got stuck in the minds of the Mavals that the dream of Hindavi Swarajya is not of any one Shivaji, it is the dream of all of us and we are the warbankures who are useful for the divine work. Veer Balak Shiva expressed his dedication to the resolution of Hindavi Swarajya by anointing Shri Raireshwar Mahadev with the blood of his finger on 26 April 1645 and took the blessings of Mahadev. Shivaji Maharaj himself has mentioned about this oath method in one of his royal stamped letters in 1645.

It was an old custom in Rohidkhore to swear in front of Shambhumahadev at Shri Raireshwar. During our Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Durg Darshan Yatra, when we reached Shree Raireshwar with our friends, we also took a pledge in front of the same divine Shivling, remembering the virtues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in the holy courtyard of Shree Raireshwar, the land of Hindavi Swarajya – “I will I will fulfill my responsibilities with full devotion, I will be ready to protect the environment and I will urge others to do the same, I will not let even a single grain of food go waste, I will give preference to the use of Indian products, I will always oppose injustice, I will remember the Indian calendar, I will do such work to increase the pride of the country, while working in the interest of the Indian society, I will constantly follow the national religion. Long live Mother India. Glory to Hinduism. Hail Chhatrapati Maharaj”. We sought blessings from Shri Raireshwar Mahadev to give us the strength to fulfill this promise.

In order to preserve the memory of the pledge of Hindavi Swarajya, a big picture has been installed in the first mandap of Shri Raireshwar Temple, in which Shivaji Maharaj is pledging with his companions in front of Mahadev. That Shivling is still installed in the sanctum sanctorum, in front of which Shivaji had taken a vow to wake up the sleeping society. In the sanctum sanctorum, the divine Shivling of small size is illuminated. Here also on the front wall there is a large size picture depicting the pledge of Hindavi Swarajya. At this place, along with awakening the spirit of spirituality in the mind, there is a feeling of energy that gives courage.

-Lokendra Singh

(The author is assistant professor at Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication.)