|
Page26
A local legend recollects a vow that the Swami had once taken before Renuka. He was suffering from some ailment of his eyes. He begged that he be cured and in return he would erect a temple to her. He was cured of his disease and he fulfilled his promise promptly.
The temple however, was in too close a proximity to the Siddis of Janjira for its safety. Those rulers were a fanatical lot and could not tolerate the rejuvenation of a Hindu shrine so near their domains. The Swami moreover, was a man interested not in religion alone. He was the spiritual teacher and Guru of Chhatrapati Shahu and his Peshwa Bajirao Balaji. The illustrious brother of the latter, Chimnaji Appa, was also a disciple of the Swami. And the Swami liked very much to dabble in the material affairs of his shishyas.. He took great interest in the current political affairs and was never an unwilling adviser-whether the advice was welcome or otherwise. This increased the complications as far as the kshetra was concerned. It was famous as the creation of the Swami and if he was to be hurt, an attack on the Parashurama kshetra and its desecration was an ideal project.
|
