THE HARMONY OF VIRTUE

FourShivaji-Jai SinghJ AI SINGHNeither of us have prevailed. A third force has entered into theland and takes the fruits of your work and as for mine, it isbroken and the ideal I have cherished has gone down into thedust.S HIVAJIFor the fruit I did not work and I am not amazed by the failurenor discouraged.J AI SINGHI too did not work for my reward, but to uphold the ideal of theRajput. Unflinching courage in honourable warfare, chivalry tofriend and foe, a noble loyalty to the sovereign of our choice,this seemed to me the true Indian tradition, preferable even tothe unity and predominance of the Hindu races. Therefore, Icould not accept your overtures. But I gave you the opportunityto accept my own tradition and when faith was not kept withme and with you, I saved my honour and assisted your escape.S HIVAJIGod extended to me His protection and moved the heart of awoman to give me love and aid. Traditions change. The ideal ofthe Rajput has its future, but the mould had to be broken inorder that what was temporary in it might pass. Loyalty to thesovereign of my choice is good, but loyalty to the sovereign ofmy nation's choice, that is better. The monarch is divine by thepower of God expressed within him, but he has it because he isthe elect of the people. God in the nation is the deity of whichthe monarch is the servant. Vithova, virÀÒ of the Marhattas —BhavÀni incarnate as India — in their strength I conquered.