Folklore has it that Chhatrasal sent a wandering bard to Pune with a message for Bajirao. The story goes that the Peshwa heard the bard singing outside his palace-
Jo gati grah gajendra ki
So gati bhai hai aaj
Baaji jaat Bundel ki
Baaji rakho laaj
Meaning,
'Know you Baji rao; I am in that same sad plight in which a famous elephant was when caught by a crocodile. My valiant race is on the point of extinction. Come and rescue my honour.'