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1677] Tanjore had sent his ministers for a preliminary discussion. They returned to their master with three of Shivaji s ministers carrying a letter of invitation from him. Reassured by their report and Shiva's solemn promises of safety, Vyankoji arrived at Tirumala-vadi about the middle of July, with an escort of 2,000 horse. Shiva advanced to Tripatur (6 m. n. e.) to welcome him on the way. The brothers spent eight days together exchanging gifts and feasting each other. Then Shivaji opened his business. He demanded three-fourths of whatever Shahji had left at his death, — money, horses, jewels, and territory, — offering to let Vyankoji enjoy the remaining quarter. The latter declined, at which Shivaji burst into anger and rebuked him for being a lazy worthless and covetous fellow. That night Vyankoji fled to Tanjore across the Kolerun, accompanied by only five horsemen, (about 25th July.)

Shivaji learnt of his brother's flight next morning and, ascribing it to the advice of the Tanjore ministers, — Jagannath (the son of Vyankoji Datto), Konher Mahadev and Shivaji Shankar (two majmuadars) and Niloji Nayak (a merchant), he placed them under arrest and threatened to send Janardan Narayan Hanumante to take possession of the kingdom of Tanjore. He was rightly indignant

Dil. 113-114. The Marathi accounts are much later and less reliable: Sabh. 89—90; Dig. 306-313; Chit. 139—140 (deliberate falsification); 7 5. 38a; Zedhe Chronology.