CHATRAPATHI SHIVAJI - ASTRO PORTRAIT OF A MARATHA EMPEROR
BY DR. E. S. NEELAKANTAN
Chatrapathi Shivaji (1630 – 1680) was an eminent king of the Bhonsale Dynasty who let us a kingdom, which is remembered to this day, as the generis for the Maratha Empire, thus playing a significant role in undermining the economic and military powers of the Mughal Empire. At its peak, the Maratha Empire stretched from modern day Maharashtra to the Sutlej River in the North and to Orissa in the East. Proceeding South, Shivaji captured the Vellore and Gingee Forts besides entering into a treaty with the Golconda Sultanate to renounce their alliance with the Bijapur Sultanate and to jointly oppose the Mughals.
Marathas remained the pre – eminent power in India even after the face of the Mughal dynasties till they were dusted by the Fast India Company after the Anglo – Maratha wars which took place between 1805 and 1818, this paving the way for the British rule in India.
PLANETARY POSITIONS:
Shivaji was born in Simha Lagna with Lagna Lord Sun in the 7th in conjunction with 5th Lord Jupiter. With the aspect of Lagna Lord Sund and a Trinal Lorda Jupiter, the Lagna is rendered quite strong. Venus in the second from Sun, gives rise to Veri Yoga, while Mars in the second from Moon gives rise to the Sunapha Yoga. Jupiter in a quadrant from Moon gives rise to the Gja Kesari Yoga. All these yogas are supportive of wealth, name and fame and contributed much to the success of Shivaji.
It is also worth noting that Shivaji had three exalted planets – Saturn, Moon and Venus – in his birth chart, showing his innate greatness while the presence of three natural malefics – Saturn, Rahu and Mars – in Upachaya house shows his courage and heroic abilities.
Shivaji was endowed with courage, liberal thinking. This was mainly due to the presence of Yogakaraka Mars in the 11th, coming under the aspect of Jupiter. It is also worth noting that all the natural malefics in the Upachaya houses come under the aspect of Jupiter while Ketu who is in the 5th is in the house of Jupiter and also aspected by Yogakaraka Mars. The Sum and substance of the above placement of planets is that all the natural malefics have beneficial effects in one way or the other. Sun, which is a natural malefic is the lagna Lord conjunct Jupiter, a trinal Lord aspects Lagna, thereby contributing immensely to the success of the chart holder. The Sagacity and intelligence of Shivaji in military affairs could be gauged by the 5th house getting 36 bindus in the Sarva Ashtakavarga chart, while Mars and Jupiter gain individually 5 bindus each in their Bhinna Asthatakavarga charts.
His devotion to parents was very high. He was constantly inspired and guided by Goddess Bhavani. He was a disciple of Ramdas and an admirer of Saint Jukaram. The stars invariably guided Shivaji to victory and glory. Aurangzeb, the Mughal Emperor found Shivaji a truly formidable Foe. Throughout his career of 34 years, Shivaji never suffered a single defeat while leading his army.
People like to follow Shivaji and were prepared to make sacrifices as he was on ruler who liked to promote the progress and prosperity of the people.
Jijabai (12th January 1598 – 17th June 1674) was Shivaji's mother. She was born in Maharashtra and married to Shahaji Bhonsale, a military commander serving under the Vizam. Jijabai died on 17th June 1674, eleven days after the coronation of Shivaji.
Exalted Moon clearly shows Jijabai on Shivaji's character Mars as Lord of 4 in 11 aspected by Jupiter also shows her supportive nature. Again if we look at the Dwadasamsa (D – 12) chart, we have Pisces Lagna rising with Jupiter in Lagna, aspecting the 4th Lord Mercury exalted in Virgo.
The profession of a new born child would be tested by placing a few item which would indicate which line it would become proficient, if it touched a pen, it shows, an inclination to be a clerk, so on and so forth. When Shivaji as an infant, was put to this test, his hands moved towards a sword, which showed his inclination to be a warrior. Shivaji was born in a fort as Jijabai was in hiding from the Mughal patrols. When they learnt that Shahaji was safe in Bijapur they started hunting for Jijabai and the child. When Jijabai was captured, they could not find the child who had probably be taken over by servants to keep the child safe. When Shivaji was born he was in Sun dasha but he was reunited with his mother in Moon dasha as Moon is the natural karaka for mother.
When the war between Bijapur Empire and the Mughals, was coming to an end, the Mughals gave up their search for Shivaji and in the meantime Jijabai had turned to religion for comfort. After the reunion, she used to tell stories to Shivaji about the old glories of Hinduism. In 1637, the Bijapur Sultan acknowledged Shah Jahan as a Suzerain agreeing to pay tribute, which was when Shahaji went to meet Jijabai and Shivaji. Shahaji had a second wife, through whom he has a son. Shahaji had summoned Jijabai to Bijapur, not just out of love and affection but since he wanted Shivaji to have a career in Bijapur service where he could ensure proper advancement for his son. However, the family reunion was short lived and Shivaji and his mother away. Dadaji Kondadev became Shivaji's tutor. He raised a mansion for Shivaji and his mother. It was on 5th March 1666 that Shivaji met the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. This was in Rahu dasha, Moon bhukthi, Saturn Arthra. While the Dasha – Lord appears favourable, the bhukthi and Arthra Lord are vitiated by evil lordships. Shivaji was held captive by Mughal Emperor though he had no intention to harm him. It is said that two Maratha officers who had stayed with Shivaji and his servants acted as porters facilitating the escape of Shivaji and his son Sambhaji in fruit baskets. This event happened in Ketu Arthra, whose merits in the chart, we discussed earlier.
Meanwhile in the Maratha country Jijubai was still the regent. One day in December, when she was seated in her private apartments, a servant informed her about the arrival of a mendicant, who was ushered in and he fell at her feet.
Touched by this gesture, she raised him up and she recognised him as Shivaji Historically it is believed that Shivaji escaped on 19th August 1666 and met his mother in December.
On 3rd October 1677, Chatrapathi Shivaji had darshan of Goddess Kalikambal, a famous temple in the Georgetown area, a northern suburb of Chennai. At that time Shivaji was in Jupiter dasha (as 5th Lord), Venus bhukthi (Karaka for goddess) and Saturn Arthra (9th Lord from Moon denoting divine grace) with Saturn and Moon both exalted and the former coming under the aspect of Jupiter.
Shivaji introduced a very sensible system of taxation. Land was divided into three classes – rice, hill tract and garden lands. Rice was taxed at one-third of yield, garden at one-half and the hilly tract had very minimal taxes. All taxes were collected and remitted to the State with no intermediaries.
In June 1674, coronation of Chatrapathi Shivaji was held at Raigad. This was in Jupiter dasha and Mercury bhukthi, both aspecting the lagna conjunct the lagna Lord Sun. The function was conducted by the chanting of hymns, burning the sacrificial fires and libations of holy water. The function was done with 11000 vedic pandits and a lakh of visitors participated in the event. The harmonies lasted nearly a month Shivaji visisted the temple of goddess at Pratapgarh and presented a golden umbrella weighting forty-two pounds. At that time Jijabai was part 80 years of age and Shivaji took her blessings for this event. She lived only for a few days after the coronation and she was cremated in Raigad and the ashes were immersed in Ganges.
Shivaji was very attached to his mother. After her passing away his life was filled with grief and anxiety. His health started deteriorating in 1676. His aim was to live the life of a religious mendicant.
ENCOUNTER WITH AFZAL KHAN:
The encounter Shivaji had with the Bijapur general Afzal Khan took place on 16th November 1959. This was bound to end in Shivaji's favour as he was running Rahu dasha and Mercury bhukthi. On this eventful day Sun, Saturn and Rahu were in Libra, which is the 6th from Moon in Gochara. The dasha Lord in the 11th and bhukthi Lord Mercury ass the Lord of 11 were eminently qualified to confer victory to Shivaji, more so as both the planets come under the influence of Jupiter.
Afzal Khan was the Brother-in-law of the Queen of Bijapur. He was a tall Afghan of great height, possessed of great strength, was a fearless swordsman and had a distinguished career as a successful general. His aim was to take Shivaji prisoner. By presenting friendship his aim was to capture Shivaji. Afzal Khan went to the mosque to pray for success in his enterprise. At that time in auspicious omens portending the general's death were seen. The general commenced his raid with Arab cavalry, Afghan infantry and Turkish Artistry. Given the enormous task of defending his kingdom, Shivaji was willing to negotiate. But Shivaji also fact that unless the Marathas waged a war, they could never be independent. At night Shivaji had a dream and decided to renew his hostility towards his rivals.
An envoy was sent by Afzal Khan offering attractive terms if Shivaji were to offer submission to Bijapur. Meanwhile Shivaji befriended one of the envoys who conferred that though there was an offer from Bijapur, the sinister plot was to arrest Shivaji and take him into custody. Shivaji requested the envoy to persuade Afzal Khan to come and meet him rather than his going to meet the Bijapur general.
The rendezvous took placed under the creast of a hill beneath the high fort of Pratapgarh. Shivaji prepared himself for this encounter, armed with a dagger and a row of sharp steel claws resembling the claws of a tiger concealed in the palm of his left hand. On the morning of this encounter, evil omens greeted Afzal Khan.
The main elephant carrying the crescent of Bijapur suddenly stopped, trembling. When the two met, in the tent, Afzal Khan held Shivaji in a tight enbrace. Shivaji wriggled but Afzal Khan tightened his grip over Shivaji's. In the dual between the two, Shivaji stabbed Afzal Khan and the attendants carried him to safety as he was in rage and pain. In the fight between Shivaji's attendants and the attendants of Bijapur, Afzal Khan was killed.
From then onwards, Bijpaur could never subdue Shivaji nor did the Marathas desire to take over Bijapur. In 1662 negotiations for peace started for which the envoy was Shivaji's father Shahaji. Shahaji was recognised as a pleni potentiary by the Bijapur government.
Shivaji's demands were met from Bombay to Goa, the entire western court came under the rule of Shivaji. With the signing of treaty, Shivaji returned to Bijapur and took up his office under the Sultan of Bijapur. A short while latter he was killed in an accident on 23rd January 1664. This was in Rahu dasha and Venus bhukthi.
As a natural malefic conjunct, the 9th Lord Mars and also being an enemy of the Pitr Karaka, Sun, Rahu was bound to cause the death of Shivaji's father. Venus in the 8th (12th from 9th) was also a Maraka for Shahaji. No wonder, in the conjoined periods of Rahu and Venus, Shahaji breathed his last. That Rahu is conjunct Mars, indicates that this was an accidental death.
ENCOUNTER WITH SHAISTA KHAN:
An important event in the Shivaji's reign was his encounter with Shaista Khan. The encounter took place on 5th April 1663 when Shivaji was in Rahu dasha and Venus bhukthi. Here Rahu is in the 11th from lagna while Venus is in the 11th from Moon. Both planets are eminently qualified to bring success to Shivaji.
Shaista Khan (22nd November 1600 – 1694) was a Mughal general and uncle of Aurangzeb. He was of persian and Afghan origin and his ancestors were Wazirs to Jahangir and Shah Jahan. In recognition of his family service, he was awarded the title of Mirza by Jahangir.
In 1663, Aurangzeb ordered Shaista Khan to invade the south with one lakh cavalry and a regiment of Pathans along with artillery. The Mughals in the eyes of Shivaji were a far greater threat compared to Bijapur Sultanate. When the Mughal army entered Poona (now rechristened as Pune) Shivaji had to abandon the city and Shaista Khan entered the city with a look of triumph in conclusion of the fact that the first stage of campaign was over. There was a marriage party in Pune and Shivaji disguised as a drummer had entered Poona.
The Mughals guarded the city very carefully day and night and the walls and gates were under the scrutiny of security guards. Shivaji and his army of Maratha warriors managed to outwait the guards mainly because they were in disguise and even Shivaji himself had entered Poona unnoticed. It was soon night and the city gates were shut and Shivaji's men gathered in some secret location and threw off their disguises.
Once he had entered the palace, Shivaji had an edge over his enemies. He knew the empire plan of the building unlike the Mughals. Breaking open a clay wall, they gained entry into the bedroom of Shaista Khan. In the scuffle that followed Shaista Khan was in injured and the Mughal troops were left in a state of disarray. Eventually Shaista Khan orders his troops to evacuate Poona. The Mughals in Delhi were totally shaken by Shivaji's exploits in Poona.
Shivaji life was greatly influenced by Poet Tukaram and Saint Ramadas. It was in 1649 (Mars dasha, Sun bhukthi) that Shivaji met Saint Ramadas as Mars is Lord of the 9th (signifying guru).
While Sun is Karaka of the 9th house. When Shivaji approached Saint Ramadas, the latter sent him a Poem along with a few items such as a handful of earth, pebbles and horse dung. One might wonder how appropriate it would be to send such items to a king but Shivaji these gifts as a prophecy. The earth symbolified his conquest of land, the pebbles were the fortresses with which the kingdom would be guarded and horse dung signified the cavalry which brought name and fame to Shivaji.
On government, administration and policy matters, Shivaji constantly took the guidance of Swami Ramadas. At the height of glory, Shivaji bestowed upon the Saint a gift deed, fettling the whole kingdom on Swami Ramadas, which he accepted!
He, however added, “Take back the kingdom and rule the land, not as an autocrat but as an agent of God”. However, Shivaji had no intolerance towards other religions or faiths. This is mainly because the Lord of 9th is well placed in a sign of Mercury aspected by Jupiter.
Shivaji married to Sai Bhonsale on 16th May 1940 at Lal Mahal Pune. The marriage took place in Moon dasha, Venus Bhukthi which is wholly justifiable as both Moon and Venus stand for connubial happiness. She passed away in 1659 in Rahu dasha and Mercury Bhukthi. From the Moon, Rahu occupies the 2nd (8th from 7th) while Mercury owns the 8th from the 7th (from Moon sign).
Apart from four daughters, Shivaji had two sons Sambhaji born in 1957 and Rajaram Bhonsale born in 1670. Sambhaji was born in Rahu dasha, Saturn Bhukthi as both these planets come under the aspect of 5th lord Jupiter, while Rajaram was born in Jupiter dasha, in its own Bhukthi mainly because Jupiter is the Lord of 5 in an odd sign conjunct Sun & Mercury.
From an Ashtakavarga angle Shivaji has three bindus in lagna in th lagna Ashatakavarga with six bindus in the 12th and the 8th. The lagna Lord Sun has 4 bindus while the 8th Lord Jupiter has 5 bindus. From the Moon sign, the Moon-sign Lord Venus un weak in a Rasi-Sandhi and is also in the 12th Bhava from Moon.
It was the year 1680. There was a change in Shivaji's attitude. He would speak to someone and asking for forgiveness. He would appear worried over the kingdom's future. There was mandatory in his face. On 3rd April 1680 Shivaji passed away. Shivaji owned three swords viz., Bhawani, Jagadamba and Tulja and these swords are preserved in different places today in memory of the legendary warrior.
While Shivaji lived for 50 years his son Rajaram (born in 1670) passed away in 1700, when he was just 30. Shivaji's grandson Shivaji Bhonsale II (Son of rajaram) was born in 1696 but died in 1726 – so he too was only 30 when he died. May be longevity was not a blessing conferred on Shivaji's family.
Shivaji in the words of Rajendra Prasad, first President of India was the builder of an epoch in history. He was a great warrior, a sound administrator and with courage and conviction, he succeeded in changing the course of history.