Nagpur: The voice that echoed the valour of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj across generations fell silent on Wednesday evening. Dharmabhaskar Param Pujya Sadgurudas Maharaj, widely known as Shivkathakar Vijayrao Deshmukh, passed away due to cardiac arrest at the age of 84, marking the end of an era devoted to ‘Shivkarya’ and cultural awakening.
Deshmukh breathed his last at a private hospital in Nagpur, where he was undergoing treatment. Founder of Chhatrapati Seva Pratishthan and Gurumandir Pariwar, he leaves behind a son, three daughters and a large circle of followers and admirers who now mourn the loss of a tireless torchbearer of Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
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Born into a modest farming family in Gadegaon village, Vijayrao began his journey of ‘Shivkarya’ at the young age of 19. Even while pursuing his Master’s degree in Marathi from Nagpur University, he immersed himself in Sanskrit, history and archaeology, laying the intellectual foundation for what would become a lifelong mission.
Over the decades, he delivered more than 10,000 lectures on ‘Shivacharitra’ across the country, captivating audiences with his energetic and deeply researched style. For 18 consecutive years, he organised the ‘Shivadurg Darshan Yatra’, inspiring thousands to reconnect with the historic forts and legacy of the Maratha empire.
His monumental two-volume biography, Shakkarte Shivaray, is regarded by scholars as one of the most authentic and meticulously researched works on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Historical researchers have hailed it as a credible and authoritative account that sought to separate fact from folklore. In 1980, on the 300th death anniversary of Shivaji Maharaj, the book Shakkarte Shivaji was ceremoniously offered at the Chhatrapati’s samadhi, symbolising Deshmukh’s lifelong devotion.
Driven by rigorous research, Deshmukh played a key role in efforts to determine the birth date of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, contributing to resolving long-standing debates over Shiv Jayanti celebrations. In the 1980s, after discovering references to Jijau Masaheb’s birth date in a poem, he also initiated renewed celebrations of Jijau Jayanti.
At a time when the birthplace of Rajmata Jijau in Sindkhedraja lay neglected, Deshmukh spearheaded grand birth anniversary celebrations in 1982 under the banner of Chhatrapati Seva Pratishthan. Through extensive outreach and mobilisation, he transformed Jijamata Janmotsav into a mass cultural event. The celebration witnessed participation from then Chief Minister Barrister A.R. Antulay, religious leaders and thousands of devotees, turning it into a landmark occasion in Maharashtra’s cultural calendar.
To honour scholars in the spirit of Shivaji Maharaj’s tradition of respecting knowledge, Deshmukh conceptualised the ‘Jijamata Vidwat Gaurav Puraskar’. Today, the award is considered one of the most prestigious recognitions in Maharashtra’s cultural and academic circles.
Responding to an emotional appeal from Rajmata Sumitraraje Bhosale, he also initiated a lecture series on Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, further broadening the discourse on Maratha history. Apart from Shakkarte Shivaray, his literary contributions include Suryaputra, Raja Shambhu Chhatrapati, Kirtan Kaustubh, Sinhasanadhishwar and several other works that enriched historical and devotional literature.
His passing has drawn tributes from across social and ideological spectrums.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Sadgurudas Maharaj. In his condolence message, Dr Bhagwat described him as a devoted social enlightener who worked tirelessly to inspire society to uphold justice, ethics, righteousness and patriotism.
“With his cheerful and straightforward nature, intellectual depth and logical clarity, he guided many people towards the right path even in challenging times. A void has been created by his sudden demise. We deeply miss his authentic and learned presence,” Dr Bhagwat said, offering both personal and organisational tributes.
With the passing of Vijayrao Deshmukh, Maharashtra has lost not just a Shivkathakar, but a committed researcher, social motivator and cultural guardian whose life was inseparably intertwined with the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
