The Fifth Delight
Shri Raghavendra Gurusarvabhauma
87. Blessings to Shivaji Maharaj
When Shri Guru Raghavendra Swami undertook his digvijaya (spiritual conquest) to Kolhapur, he received a grand welcome there. Thousands of disciples and religious followers welcomed the Guru with unprecedented reverence and arranged for his stay in a vast temple. The key figure behind this magnificent reception was Narasingha Hanumant Pant, a powerful political leader in Maharashtra and a devoted follower of the Guru.
After the fall of Vijayanagara, the Bahmani Sultans grew powerful on one side, and on the other side, the Mughals of Delhi began their invasions. There was extreme oppression and cruelty inflicted upon Hindus, their culture, temples, and way of life. Life had become miserable for Hindus. At that time, it was the great Shivaji who sounded the clarion call of freedom and awakened the people to resist oppression. This valiant man, a natural admirer of Hindu dharma and culture, was born with bravery, valor, love for people, and a yearning for freedom blazing within him. What he needed was a spark to ignite that fire—and that spark came through Naropant Hanumanthe, a blessing to the Hindu people.
It could be said that Tanjavur, then a shelter for the Hindu sampradāyas, had become a cultural link throughout India. It was Shahaji Bhonsle, Shivaji's father, who, with this vision, began preparing Shivaji to build a Hindu empire once again. Shahaji, with the counsel and support of Naropant Hanumanthe, a prominent Madhwa statesman, gained further political success and sent Naropant as a guide and advisor to Shivaji.
Hanumanthe, a Madhwa Brahmin, was a man of exceptional learning, a master of political strategy, filled with courage, sharp intellect, and righteousness. It was he who kindled in Shivaji the flame of the freedom movement, supported him, and became instrumental in the reestablishment of a strong Hindu kingdom. Inspired by him and supported by trusted allies like Naropant Hanumanthe, Shivaji gathered a group of valiant youth, and began resisting the invaders, building forts, and expanding his dominion. His exploits introduced the Mughals and Bahmani Sultans to the bravery of Indian warriors. Shivaji’s continuous victories made him a nightmare for the foreign invaders. Kolhapur was one of Shivaji's major centers of operation, and it was there that Shri Raghavendra Guru arrived during this crucial time.
Shri Guru began observing Chaturmasya (a four-month holy vow) in Kolhapur. Every day, he visited Mahalakshmi temple, conducted discourses, worships, debates, and delivered teachings, which spiritually fulfilled thousands of devotees and disciples. Naropant Hanumanthe visited Shri Guru daily and offered his devotion.
One evening, Naropant came and, in private, informed Shri Guru that Shivaji Maharaj had arrived in Kolhapur, requesting the Guru’s darshan and blessings. Shri Guru agreed and was taken to the royal palace.
At the palace gate, Jijabai, Sambhaji, and Shivaji’s wife welcomed Shri Guru with reverence. Shivaji Maharaj, placing Shri Guru on an honored seat, prostrated before him. After exchanging pleasantries, along with his ministers, Shivaji performed pāda-pūja (worship of the feet) of Shri Guru, offered gold, wealth, ornaments, and received blessings and sacred fruits and mantras from him.
Later, in private, after hearing from the ministers about Shri Guru’s vast scholarship and divine greatness, Shivaji bowed and submitted:
“O Gurudeva! I feel blessed by your darshan and service.
I humbly request your blessings for the freedom struggle I have undertaken to protect Hindu dharma.”
(Historical Note from the Mythic Society Journal – Oct 1924)
“By the time the last traces of the Vijayanagar Empire were disappearing, Shahaji, by his conquests and with the help of his chief minister Naropant Hanumanthe, a Madhva scholar and strategist trained in the school of Mallikambar, connected Tanjore with Maharashtra and with Bangalore in Mysore state. As Shivaji rose to prominence, Raghavendra Tirtha remained for a long time in Kolhapur, a center of Maharashtra’s thought and influence.”
Shri Guru smiled and said:
“O Dharmavīra (hero of righteousness)!
We have long heard with joy of your noble efforts.
It brings us great happiness to see you.
Bharata (India) is the sacred land of Sanātana Dharma and holy traditions, but today, due to the trampling of foreign invaders, the people have forgotten Dharma, God, truth, and sacrifice.
Shri Krishna has declared:
‘Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati Bhārata, abhyutthānam adharmasya tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmyaham - ಅಭ್ಯುತ್ಥಾನಂ ಅಧರ್ಮಸ್ಯ ತದಾತ್ಮಾನಂ ಸೃಜಾಮ್ಯಹಂ’
(Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and a rise in unrighteousness, I manifest Myself.)
When the Lord does not descend personally, He grants power to His devotees and has them carry out the divine task.
It is Shri Hari’s own will that you protect the people and Dharma.
Your commitment to this sacred mission is most commendable.
Remember this always:
‘Yato dharmaḥ tato jayaḥ’ – Where there is dharma, there is victory.
‘Dharma eva hato hanti, dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ’
– He who destroys Dharma is destroyed by it; he who protects Dharma is protected by it.
Keep this principle forever in your heart.
The Supreme Lord will bless you with a continuous string of victories.
Be fearless and march forward.
Let the world know you as the protector of Hindu Dharma.
We have prayed to Shri Moola Rama for your everlasting victory and welfare.
Our blessings are always with you.”
Shri Guru’s powerful spiritual instruction ignited even greater righteous fervor in Shivaji Maharaj.
He bowed with reverence and said:
“Gurudeva! I am blessed. Please place your divine hand upon my head and bless me.”
Guru Raghavendra, with heartfelt affection, placed his hand on Shivaji’s head, praying for his welfare and success.
At that very moment, a strange divine energy surged through Shivaji’s body, and his hair stood on end.
Overwhelmed with the Guru’s full grace, he became jubilant.
He then took his sword, knelt before Shri Guru, and solemnly vowed:
“Gurudeva, I am blessed! Holding this sacred sword in my hand and in your divine presence,
I swear that I will attain complete independence,
build a Hindu kingdom,
and dedicate my life to the protection of Hindu Dharma, temples, and people.
With your blessings, I shall fulfill this!”
Shri Guru, with joy, raised his hand in blessing (abhaya hasta) and declared:
“Tathāstu – So be it!”
As per royal protocol, Shivaji Maharaj, Jijabai, his wife, son Sambhaji, and others offered respects and received blessings and sacred fruits from Shri Guru. Then, with reverence, they took leave of the Guru and returned to the palace.
Shri Guru completed his Chaturmasya vow, offered worship to Shri Lakshmi Devi, had her darshan, paid respects, and returned to his matha. There, he honored prominent scholars, religious leaders, and his beloved disciple Naropant Hanumanthe, offering them blessings and sacred fruit, and then proceeded on his journey toward Nasik.
It is known both from oral tradition and from the records of Shri Raghavendra Swami’s matha at “Shahāmal” that Shivaji Maharaj received blessings from Shri Raghavendra Swami, honored him, and offered devotional service.