When Alexander met gymnosophists (naked philosophers in ancient India)

 

When Alexander met gymnosophists (naked philosophers in ancient India)

When Alexander met some gymnosophists, who were of trouble to him. He learned that their leader was Dandamis, who lived in a jungle, lying naked on leaves, near a water spring.

He then sent Onescratus to bring Dandamis to him. When Onescratus encountered Dandamis in forest, he gave him the message, that Alexander, the Great son of Zeus, has ordered him to come to him. He will give you gold and other rewards but if you refuse, he may behead you. When Dandamis heard that, he did not even raise his head and replied lying in his bed of leaves. God the Great King, is not a source of violence but provider of water, food, light and life. Your king cannot be a God, who loves violence and who is mortal. Even if you take away my head, you cannot take away my soul, which will depart to my God and leave this body like we throw away old garment. We, brahman do not love gold nor fear death. So, your king has nothing to offer, which I may need. Go and tell your King : Dandamis, therefore, will not come to you. If he needs Dandamis, he must come to me.

When Alexander, learned of Dandamis' reply, he went to forest to meet Dandamis. Alexander sat before him in the forest for more than an hour. Dandamis asked why Alexander came to him, saying I have nothing to offer you. Because we have no thought of pleasure or gold, we love God and despise death, whereas you love pleasure, gold and kill people, you fear death and despise God. Alexander stated, I heard your name from Calanus and have come to learn wisdom from you The conversation that followed between them is recorded by Greeks as Alexander-Dandamis conversation.

Alexander the king of Macedonia established one of the biggest empires that the ancient world had ever seen. He conquered many parts of the world and some of the great stories are from the time when he went to conquer India.

Aristotle was the teacher of Alexander. He had told him that, there lived great mystical, intellectual, and Spiritual super-beings dwelling in the forest. Aristotle told him that if he ever got the opportunity to meet a yogi and if possible to even bring one back to Greece for Aristotle to meet. Upon inquiry, he came to know about the spiritual yogi called Dandamis who lived and dwelled in the forests of Taxila.

Alexander sent his army with lavish gifts and presents to bring Dandamis to him. When they reached Dandamis, they said, “The king of Macedonia, Alexander who is the sovereign Lord of all men, asks you to go to him. If you obey, he will reward you with great gifts. But if you refuse, he will cut off your head.”

Dandamis looked at the army calmly and replied without even trying to lift his head up from his couch of leaves. “I am also a son of Zeus if Alexander be one. I am content with what I have. I desire nothing that you can give me. I fear no exclusion from any blessings which may perhaps be yours”, said Dandamis.

“This land with the fruits of her soil is enough for me for when I live. And when I die I shall get rid of my body. Go and tell your king.” he continued, “I don’t desire anything that I have to go to the king and ask him.”

“Your king has nothing to offer me. Therefore, go and tell him Dandamis will not come to him and if he needs Dandamis he will have to come to me”, said Dandamis

The army brought back the message to Alexander and he was furious with the reply he got because he was not used to it. But, he also knew that Knowledge and eternal beings can’t be lured.

He then decided to go to the forest with his army. Alexander could not let his men listen to such an embarrassing conversation. So, he ordered his men to stay a few distances apart.

He then dismounted from his horse and walked towards the yogi and stood over him.

“Do you know who I am?” Alexander asked furiously.

“I don’t think you even know who you are,” Dandamis replied.

Alexander was listening to such words for the very first time in his life and he felt deeply insulted. He then furiously took out his sword and swung at Dandamis stopping right before it struck his neck.

“I am Alexander, the world conqueror.” he shouted, “ You are in my land right now. Submit or I will kill you.”

Dandamis laughed and said, “ I don’t fear death. Even if you cut off my head, you can not destroy my soul. My head will be silent leaving the body like a torn garment. But, my spirit will ascend to God who has left us on the earth.”

These words convinced Alexander that Dandamis was indeed a free man.

“And the land, it belongs to no one, O king! Before you, there were others who claimed it. After you, there will be others who will claim it.” he continued, “All creation belongs to the god alone and no one has the right to destroy what he hasn’t created. Your hands are all red with blood. You might have a temporary claim on the land, but you have permanent scars on your soul.”

Alexander after hearing Dandamis lowered his sword and exclaimed, “The whole world is mine, Dandamis. History will remember me as one of the mightiest kings.”

“What will you do with the whole world? All you need is two yards. Dandamis continued, “Two yards deep and two yards long. That’s all you need in the end.”

He was fascinated, sheathed his sword sat under the feet of Dandamis, and told him that he had come to seek wisdom from him. After a long conversation, Alexander bowed his head before Dandamis and left.