Namaste and Welcome to "A Piece of My Learning."

    First and foremost, thank you for being here and taking the time to read my blog. If this is your first visit, welcome to this journey of learning and reflection.

    Let me tell you a little about myself and how this blog started. A few years ago, I developed a love for reading books and interesting content. Over time, I learned to filter out what was truly relevant to me. This is an important skill. Today, we are surrounded by countless perspectives from different sources, but not all of them apply to us. Learning to pick what matters and apply it in our lives has been a key lesson for me.

    One day, I was discussing this with a friend who writes a Marathi newsletter (you can check it out if you enjoy weekly Marathi content - Mazavyapar blog). That conversation made me realize something profound:

    In life, we are always striving to reach the next milestone. But in that pursuit, we often forget that many people are still struggling to take the first step—maybe due to a lack of motivation, resources, or both. I felt a strong urge to help others move forward, to extend a hand and pull people up to where I am, or better yet, push them beyond me so they can achieve even more.

    This is the cause I believe in: Helping people. No matter how often I write or how much I share, I want to keep learning and passing on that knowledge to others.

    With that in mind, today I bring you something new to add to your watchlist! Sounds fun, right? Sometimes, we don’t have the time or patience to read long articles or books, but watching videos can be easier and just as impactful. So, let me suggest something that might give you that 1% push you need today.

    I’m sure many of you who read my blog are avid readers and already know about one of the greatest leaders in Indian history—Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

    Now, some may argue that India (Bharat) as a nation was established much later, but for the purpose of this blog, let's keep it simple.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a historical figure; he was an ideology.

    What do I mean by that? An ideology is a set of principles that shape a movement or policy. Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya—self-rule based on justice, governance, and ethical leadership. His legacy goes beyond battles and conquests; his values continue to inspire generations.

But was Swarajya achieved by one man alone? No.

    Maharaj had his teachers, his mother (Rajmata Jijabai), who was his biggest inspiration, and most importantly, his trusted warriors—the Mavle. Among them were a few key commanders who played a crucial role in military campaigns and kingdom defense. These warriors were called Shiledars.

You may have heard of some of them:
🔥 Tanaji Malusare
🔥 Netaji Palkar
🔥 Baji Prabhu Deshpande
🔥 Kanhoji Jedhe
🔥 Yesaji Kank

    One thing I have learned from reading about them is that they were more than just fighters—they were protectors of a cause, of an ideology. Even years after Maharaj’s passing, these Shiledars upheld and defended his vision, despite countless challenges. They were brave, intelligent, strategic, well-read, and willing to sacrifice everything for their mission.

    I could write endlessly about their achievements, but words will never fully capture the magnitude of their contributions.

So, here’s a question for you:

💭 If you respect and want to protect this ideology, how do you plan to pass it on to the next generation?
💭 How would you explain the courage, intelligence, and leadership of Shivaji Maharaj and his Shiledars to your children and grandchildren?

This brings me to something you must watch!

Watch "The Secrets of Shiledars" & "Chaava"

As I mentioned at the beginning, I like to focus on actionable steps. If you're wondering how to connect with this history, I highly recommend watching:

🎥 "The Secrets of Shiledars" – A new series on Disney+ Hotstar that brings to life the incredible stories of Shivaji Maharaj’s trusted commanders.

🎥 "Chaava" – A new movie releasing this week, which adds another powerful perspective on our rich history.

These stories will not only educate but also inspire you. They will help you understand the depth of Shivaji Maharaj’s vision and the warriors who stood by him.

Final Takeaway – What Is Your Cause?

Before I wrap up, I want to leave you with one final thought:

👉 What is the cause you believe in?
👉 What do you want to protect, support, or pass on to future generations?

It’s okay to have multiple causes. But the important thing is to identify them and take real steps to pass them forward.

Share your thoughts in the comments! Let me know what causes matter to you—whether simple or as grand as the Shiledars’ mission. Take a moment to reflect today. 🙌

Until next time, keep learning and sharing! 

Thank you once again for being a kind reader!