Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

“Venkoji is our younger brother. He may act like a naughty boy, but for all that he is our brother. It is our duty to take care of him.”

“You being our brother, your losses are our losses, your reputation is our reputation.”

“Leave not virtue, leave vice, with reason for your guide. Make war upon the wicked, pour blessings on your subjects.”

“Without a sharer thus far have you alone enjoyed the common estate. Now at length yield to us our share. Live in peace and prosperity, yielding us our dues.”

“Hereafter at least don’t allow a repetition of such scenes. Court not new acquaintance by disregarding the old.”

“Those who have grown gray in the service of our father, you must respect as elders and family friends.”

“Regard old servants of the family as family elders. Keep them in service and victory will smile upon you and your fortunes will prosper.”

“There is no profit in kindling a family feud. That would only mean misery to you and to us.”

“Hereafter at least let us remain as friends. What we tell you, as an elder brother, if you hearken, to in good part, you will bless yourself for the rest of your life.”

“The officers and commanders to be consulted in important matters. Loyal and competent officers only to be appointed to positions of trust.”

“The poor and the needy to be succoured in difficulty and saved from the oppression of the rich and the powerful.”

“Corruption of justice by bribery to be prevented, and justice to be free and gratuitous to all.”

“Promises of pardon and reprieves to be strictly adhered to. The contrary has never taken place in our family.”

“Many days have elapsed without my receiving any letter from you; and in consequence, I am not in comfort.”

“You have become a Byragee, and think of nothing but to sit in some place accounted holy, and let time wear away.”

“I am surprized, when I reflect, that you have our father’s example before you how did he encounter and surmount all difficulties, perform great actions, escape all dangers by his spirit and resolution, and acquire a renown which he maintained to the last?”

“Even I myself, as circumstances enabled me, have protected myself; and you also know, and have seen, how I have established a kingdom.”

“What kind of wisdom is this, and what will it end in? I am to you as your head and protection; from me you have nothing to dread.”

“Throw off despondency, spend your days properly; attend to fasts, feasts, and customary usages, and attend to your personal comforts.”

“Look to the employment of your people, the discipline of your army, and turn your attention to affairs of moment.”

“Above all things be not slothful; do not allow opportunity to slip past without receiving some returns from your army.”

“This is the time for performing great actions. Old age is the season for turning Byragee.”

“Arouse! bestir yourself. Let me see what you can do. Why should I write more, you are wise.”

“United should we stand, sharing mutually in each other’s good fortune and ill fortune. Nobody ever profited by senseless discord.”

“What a comfort and happiness it will be to me to hear the praise and fame of my younger brother.”

“It is under your kind auspices and patronage that we have risen to greatness, and nothing has given so much satisfaction to us as the fact that the fortunes we have built up have proved to be of some service at least to you in your day of tribulation.”

“Hereafter in the day of trouble do you call upon us for help, without entertaining any misgivings on the subject.”