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Dandamis

Dandamis
Theological work
Era4th century B.C.
Tradition or movementKalanos

Dandamis (presumably Greek rendering of "Dandi-Svami")[1] was a philosopher, swami and gymnosophist whom Alexander encountered in the woods near Taxila, when he invaded India in 4th century B.C. He is also referred to as Mandanes.[2] He was guru of Kalanos, the noted gymnosophist, who accompanied Alexander to Persis.[3]

Biography

When Alexander met some gymnosophists, who were of trouble to him, he learned that their leader was the Brahmin Dandamis,[4][5] who lived in the jungle, lying naked on leaves, near a water spring.[6]

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.[7][8] 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."[7]

When Alexander learned of Dandamis' reply, he went to the forest to meet him. 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."[7] Alexander stated, "I heard your name from Calanus and have come to learn wisdom from you."[7] The conversation that followed between them is recorded by Greeks as Alexander-Dandamis colloquy..[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Sen, Sailendra Nath (1999). Ancient Indian History and Civilization. New Age International. p. 128. ISBN 9788122411980.
  2. ^ Warner, Arthur George; Warner, Edmond (2001). The Sháhnáma of Firdausí. Psychology Press. pp. 61–62, 422, 430. ISBN 9780415245432.
  3. ^ a b Classica et mediaevalia , Volumes 34-35. Société danoise les études anciennes et médiévales. 1983. pp. 78, 81, 87.
  4. ^ Charity Seraphina Fields (2012). Battle Against Infinity. Lieutenant of Charity. pp. 39–. ISBN 978-1-300-05921-9. Retrieved 25 May 2016.[permanent dead link‍]
  5. ^ Tristram Stuart (18 October 2012). The Bloodless Revolution: Radical Vegetarians and the Discovery of India. HarperCollins Publishers. pp. 43–. ISBN 978-0-00-740492-6. Retrieved 25 May 2016.
  6. ^ Prabudhha Bharata by Vivekannda Swami, page 30 & 386
  7. ^ a b c d Stoneman, Richard (2012). The Legends of Alexander the Great. Bloomsbury Academic. pp. 43–47. ISBN 9781848857858.
  8. ^ Niehoff, Maren (2001). Philo on Jewish identity and culture. Verlag von J. C. B. Mohr (Paul Siebeck). p. 154. ISBN 9783161476112.
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