the first six years of his life in highly
unsettled conditions. Even so, Jijabai did
not neglect his education. Every evening
she would light the household lamps and
then call Shivaji to her. She would shower
all her affection on him and tell him
stories of Rama and Krishna, of Bhim
and Abhimanyu. On other occasions
she would recite to him the devotional
songs of Namdeo, Dnyaneshwar or
Eknath. Shivaji liked to listen to the
exploits of brave men. Shivaji felt that
on growing up, he should also display
valour like them. Jijabai used to tell
him stories of many pious persons and
saints. That instilled in him, a respect
and honour for all saints and great men.
Children from poor families came to
play with Shivaji. Sometimes he visited
them in their huts and shared their simple
meal of onion and bhakri with great
relish. They invented interesting games to
pass the time. The children of the Mavlas
were like birds in the forest. They would
imitate the sound of the cuckoo or parrot
or tiger to perfection. Their pastime was
building small forts of earth and making
earthern elephants and horses. They
played hide and seek, or played with a
ball or top. Shivaji joined them in all these
games and became popular with them
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