Saaji Chaturang Sain -Explained -Poem-

Saaji chaturang sain - by Bhushan Kavi (poet Bhushan)
साजि चतुरंग सैन, अंग में उमंग भरि,
सरजा सिवाजी जंग जीतन चलत हैं |
भूषण भनत नाद बिहद नगारन की,
नदी-नद मद गैबरन के रलत हैं ||
ऐल-फैल खैल-बैल खलक में गैल-गैल,
गजन की ठैल-पैल, सैल उसलत हैं |
तारा सो तरनि धूरि-धारा में लगत जिमि,
थारा पर पारा, पारावार यों हलत हैं ||

कवि भूषण - छत्रपति महाराज शिवाजी पर कविता

* Poem by #kavibhushan from #ShivaBaavani *

Saaji chaturang sain, ang mein umang bhari,
Saraja Shivaji jang jeetan chalat hain |
Bhushan bhanat naad bihad nagaaran ki,
Nadi-nad mad gaibaran ke ralat hain ||
Ail-phail khail-bhail khalak mein gail-gail,
Gajan ki thail-pail, sail usalat hain |
Tara so tarani dhoori-dhara mein lagat jimi,
Thara par para, paravaar yo halat hain ||

Bhushan Kavi - in praise of #chhatrapatishivajimaharaj (from Shiva Baavani)

इस video में गोस्वामी तुलसीदास जी की रामचरितमानस के सुंदरकाण्ड के एक छंद की यह एक पंक्ति भी है:
चिक्करहिं दिग्गज डोल महि गिरि लोल सागर खरभरे ।

* Some context to “Saji Chaturang Sain” by Kaviraj Bhushan *

The ‘sain’ here means ‘sena’ or army. ‘Chaturang’ means ‘4 sections’. The 4 sections of such an army were: the horse-mounted cavalry, infantry, elephants, and chariots. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s early battles were mostly forms of guerrilla warfare where the element of surprise and a much superior knowledge of the terrain was key to winning. A good number of Shivaji Maharaj’s battles including and after his famous victory over Mughals at Salher involved larger armies with some attacks taking place on plains. Here Raja Shiv Chhatrapati relied on different kinds of formations, swift movement of light cavalry, and surgical strikes by his infantry and heavily armed cavalry.

The concept of a ‘Chaturang’ army comes from texts such as the Mahabharata. Planning and maneuvering such an army required great skills. So, it was a matter of pride for a kingdom to have a successful ‘Chaturangini sena’. Thus, while describing Chhatrapati Shivrai’s military victories after 1668 CE, Kaviraj Bhushan often alludes to his armies as being ‘Chaturangi’. Interestingly, Kavi Bhushan also talks about how Shivaji Maharaj’s armies could rout such chaturangi armies of others - especially the Mughals and the Adil Shahis.

In this poem, poet Bhushan has referred to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as ‘Sarja’ or the ultimate chief. Such a reference to Shivrai can be seen in many of Kavi Bhushan’s poems.

#kavibhushan uses similes, metaphors, and hyperboles to very good effect in this poem as he describes the movement and maneuvers of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s army. Notable is the reference to temporin, mercury, and the dust clouds that form as Shivaji Raje's army marches on.

* About poet Bhushan and his poetry *

#bhushan was a title conferred on the poet whose original name has been lost during the course of history. Further, “Bhushan” is referred to as “Kaviraj” or the ‘King of Poets’ on account of the impact of his poetry.

Bhushan uses “Veer Ras” or ‘veer rasa” (valor) as the primary flavor, sentiment, and emotion in his poems. This is most appropriate as he has described the deeds of the valorous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the courageous Bundela king, Maharaj Chhatrasal. Kaviraj Bhushan also blends some other rasas such as “haasya” (humor), “raudra / rudra” (terrible), “bhayaanak” (frightful), “beebhatsa” (ugly) along with veer rasa (the flavor or valor, courage, and strength). Kavi Bhushan has also used “vyangya” (satire) in many places.

This poem is from the Reeti Kaal (Riti Kaal) of poetry in Hindi language. This refers to a period in the history of Hindi language poetry that spanned over three centuries during medieval India between the sixteen and latter part of the nineteenth century.

* About this video *

This video on one of Kaviraj Bhushan’s poems can be useful for school children, their parents, and for all who love lyrical, rhythmical poetry.

Explanations of Kavi Bhushan’s poems on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj are also useful for students of MA (Hindi). In MA (Hindi) courses, Kaviraj Bhushan is often a subject of various electives. Such is the depth of his poems, that not all of them are included in these syllabi. Many poems from Shivaraj Bhushan and Shiva Bavani are included. In some MA (Hindi) syllabi, the entire Shiva Bavani is part of the curriculum.

0:00 Welcome
0:14 An ad lib poem to start with
0:30 Saaji Chaturang Sain - Recited
1:00 Meaning of Saji Chaturang Sain
1:10 Chaturangini Sena (army): What is it?
1:25 Tanaji's battle, Yashwanti, Sinhagad (Kondhana) Fort
3:06 Temporin secretion from elephants
4:39 Comparison with Mercury (Hg)
5:33 Anupras alankar, Upma, Atishyokti (Reference to a line from Rudraashtakam (Rudrashtakam))
6:33 Sundarkand, Ramayan example (Ram Charit Manas, Tulsidas)
7:46 Chikkarahi diggaj explained
8:06 Elephants as 'Diggaj' - Airavat, Pundarik, Vaman, Kumud, Anjan, Pushpdatt, Saarvabhaum, Saptateek (Suprateek)
10:07 Saaji Chaturang - recited again