In 1926, the discussion of prophecy was recorded in history in Kapurthala, a big princely state of Punjab.
A hundred years ago, one lakh was a huge amount. The royal astrologer received this amount in lieu of a prediction which was yet to come true. In 1926, there was a lot of excitement regarding this prophecy in Kapurthala, a big princely state of Punjab. As soon as the good news was received, there were huge preparations for celebration in the entire state including a hundred and one gun salute. The anxious Maharaja remained awake the whole night in the belief that the prophecy would come true. But the news that Lady Doctor Miss Pereira gave to the Maharaja on the morning of 17 July 1926 first disappointed him and then filled him with anger.
The astrologer was immediately taken to jail in handcuffs. The huge crowd standing outside the palace turned back sadly. The royal court observed mourning for forty days. Read that interesting story related to the prophecy.
Grandson’s wish for inheritance
Maharaja Jagjit Singh of Kapurthala was worried about his succession as well as his name and lineage. The Maharaja’s elder son Yuvraj Paramjit Singh was married to Princess Vrinda of Jabbal state. All three children of this couple were daughters. According to the laws of the Indian princely states effective at that time, the father of the daughters could not inherit the throne. In order to wish the Crown Prince to have a son, the Maharaj used to try whatever methods he came to know including performing pujas.
In this effort, astrologers were also employed to know the horoscopes of the crown prince and princess, their planetary positions and the possibility of having a son. After the fourth conception of Princess Vrinda, royal astrologer Pandit Shri Ram made such a prediction, which made Maharaja Jagjit Singh very happy.
Maharaja Jagjit Singh of Kapurthala.
Preparation for celebration based on prediction
Pandit Shri Ram had completely assured the Maharaja that Princess Vrinda would give birth to a son this time. The happy Maharaja had given a huge amount of one lakh rupees to the astrologer Pandit Shri Ram for special worship-rituals to bring peace to the planets and prevent any other divine wrath during the pregnancy period of the princess.
Pandit ji had saved a large part of this amount by burying it in the ground of the house and himself building a concrete platform over it. The court took this prediction so seriously that the Prime Minister of the princely state, L., appointed by the Government of India. The French had approved a special budget of Rs 2 lakh to make the celebrations of the birth of a son memorable.
Raja-Riya, everyone is waiting for good news.
As soon as the news of the birth of a son was received, the commander in chief of the army ordered a 101-gun salute to the newborn. Fireworks were ordered from Calcutta. There were vigorous preparations to decorate the palace with colorful electric lanterns as well as special flower decorations.
It was publicized even among the people of the state. He had also received messages to celebrate and reach outside the palace on the day of his birth. On the night when Princess Vrinda was about to give birth to her fourth child, the royal astrologer, the Maharaja-Queen, members of the royal family along with the entire staff of the kingdom and many religious leaders were present in the palace with good wishes for the birth of a son. The Governor of Punjab, the Resident and many British officers had also specially reached there. The Maharaja spent the whole night awake in anticipation of good news. Now when the Maharaja woke up, the others had to support him.
The astrologer got handcuffed and shackled.
But before dawn this process of curiosity and happiness stopped. On July 17, 1926, Princess Vrinda once again gave birth to a daughter. With tears in her eyes, Lady Doctor Miss Pereira approached the Maharaja with tired steps. The Maharaja was left speechless upon hearing this. His first havoc fell on astrologer Pandit Shri Ram. Pandit ji handcuffed immediately. He was imprisoned in chains for the next nine years without trial.
Along with the ministers and officials of the princely state gathered in the palace, all the British princes also gradually withdrew from the palace. Riya standing outside also turned back disappointed. Instead of the pomp and show of celebration, there was a blanket of silence and sadness in the palace. There was discussion among the people outside the palace about the misfortune of the Maharaja.
Maharaja is not ready to soften
Of course the Maharaja had put the astrologer in jail but the Queen was worried about it. He called Jarmani Das, the Diwan of the state, and said that the Maharaja and the Crown Prince had angered God by cutting their hair and shaving their beard. Now putting a Brahmin in jail will further increase this outbreak.
Somehow, persuade Maharaj to release the Brahmin astrologer. Jarmani Das immediately conveyed the Queen’s message to the Maharaja and requested him to forgive the astrologer. But the angry Maharaja was not ready to listen to anything. Further, Jarmani Das decided to take the help of Madam Seri for this work.
Madam Seri’s magic worked again
The Maharaja was very kind to Madam Seri. He was given the room next to his bedroom. Seri called it an act of kindness and chose the time to request the Maharaja when he was taking bath in the beautiful bath amidst fragrant water and pleasant atmosphere. Seri also joined in the bath and scattered flower petals on them and prayed for kindness during the water play.
Madam Seri was successful in convincing the Maharaja. Police Inspector General Sardar Suchet Singh was ordered to release the prisoner with the condition of taking him out of the state. The conditions of release also included the confiscation of all the astrologer’s property. Even the astrologer’s family was not spared. Those associated with the family or posted in nearby estates were also dismissed.
Waiting for the dream to come true!
After a few days, one morning, Sardar Pratap Singh, the Maharaja’s favored chief servant, came running and presented himself at his service. Told that he saw the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in his dream, who was saying that if the Maharaja takes an oath that his son will keep his hair and completely follow the Sikh religion, then he will get a grandson. The Maharaja immediately called a cabinet meeting and narrated the dream and reiterated his resolve to reach the Gurudwara the next morning and behave as per the dream.
The Maharaja along with Crown Prince Paramjit Singh reached the Gurudwara in a gold-studded six-horse carriage. Many people were with him. Bowed before Guru Granth Sahib. Chief Granthri Harnam Singh recited Amritvani and requested, “Great Guruji! The Maharaja of Kapurthala, his family and friends bow before your supreme power. They seek your blessings that they may be blessed with a grandson, whom they take an oath to initiate into Sikhism. The sin of not having long hair and beard has been committed by the Maharaja and the Crown Prince, please be forgiven. Eleven thousand rupees and one hundred and one Kadha-Prasad as a gift.” Have brought, which is dedicated at your feet. With this the echo of Sat Shri Akal Udghosh and Amritvani started.
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