Like the Mavalas of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, today’s citizens too need military training : Colonel Mohan Kakatikar (Retd.)

(From Left) Colonel Mohan Kakatikar (Retd.), Mr Uday Mahurkar, Mr Rahul Diwan, Anchor Smriti Rastogi, Mrs Shefali Vaidya and Sadguru (Dr) Charudatta Pingale

Bharat Mandapam, Indraprastha – “Despite having a small army, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj travelled 400 kilometres and carried out an attack on Surat, thus avenging the insult inflicted by Aurangzeb. He conducted the first surgical strike on Shaista Khan for plundering Lal Mahal. By formulating the Swarajya policy – One who has the navy rules the seas – and establishing the country’s first navy, he demonstrated his far-sightedness. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj provided necessary military training to ordinary youth and moulded them into Mavalas. With their help, he established the Hindavi Swarajya. Today too, arrangements should be made to provide optional military training to citizens”, said Colonel Mohan Kakatikar (Retd.) (General Secretary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj National Memorial Committee). He was speaking at the discussion on ‘Vision of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Present-day India’ organised on 13^th December at the Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnad Mahotsav.

It was due to the towering inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that the Marathas fought the Mughals : Mrs Shefali Vaidya (Devout Hindu Author)

Mrs Shefali Vaidya (Devout Hindu Author)

In 1565, killing Rama Raya of the Vijayanagar Empire after the Battle of Talikota, Nizam Shah hung his severed head on the city gates, and crushed the morale of Hindus. After 100 years, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj took a vow to establish the Hindavi Swarajya. After fighting 5 Sultanates, the kingdom he established had to be again surrendered to the enemy; however, later, after escaping from Aurangzeb’s captivity in Agra, he regained the entire kingdom. He protected and rebuilt temples demolished by the Mughals and the Portuguese. His kingdom was Dharma-based. Due to the towering inspiration from him, even after the death of Dharmaveer Sambhaji Maharaj, the Marathas continued to fight the Mughals for 27 years despite having no king on the throne.

Chhatrapati Shivaji’s Swarajya was truly an ideal Dharma-based Hindu Nation : Sadguru (Dr) Charudatta Pingale (National Guide, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti)

Sadguru (Dr) Charudatta Pingale (National Guide, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj established the Hindavi Swarajya as the will of God. He protected cows, temples and religious traditions. To prevent the influence of the language of foreign aggressors, he created the Royal seal, Rajyavyavaharkosh  (State Dictionary), etc., in Sanskrut. He framed valid laws as permitted by the Scriptures. He got himself coronated in a scripturally sanctioned manner; behind it there was no political ambition, but a noble intent of service unto God and service unto society. A Dharmarajya is one in which arrangements exist for the upliftment of the Nation, Dharma, the individual and society. This clearly shows that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s rule was an ideal Dharma-based Hindu Nation.

Highlights : 

1. When Smriti Rastogi recited the birudavali (Honorific invocation) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, those present responded with overwhelming enthusiasm, 2. During the discussion, slogans in praise of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj were raised intermittently. While concluding her address, Mrs Shefali Vaidya recited the verse ‘Tej tam ans par…’ written by Kaviraj Bhushan, which filled the auditorium with tremendous fervour and excitement, 3. A devout participant spontaneously recited the birudavali of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj with great martial spirit, as a result of which the entire auditorium was immersed in the spirit of Shivaji.

A Dharmarajya is one in which arrangements exist for the upliftment of the Nation, Dharma, the individual and society !