When Alexander the Great’s invitation on pain of death was rebuffed by Danbamis, the Indian Sage, he experienced “a stronger desire than ever to see Dandamis who, though old and naked, was the only antagonist in whom he, the conqueror of many nations, had met more than his match.”
It is said that soon after this encounter, Alexander invited a number of Brahmin ascetics noted for their skill in answering philosophical questions with pithy wisdom to Taxila.
Alexander himself framed all the questions:
“Which be the more numerous, the living or the dead?” “The living, for the dead are not.”
“Which breeds the larger animals, the sea or the land?” “The land, for the sea is only a part of land.”
“Which is the cleverest of beasts?” “That one with which man is not yet acquainted.” (Man fears the unknown.)
“Which existed first, the day or the night?” “The day was first by one day.”
This reply caused Alexander to betray surprise; the Brahmin added: “Impossible questions require impossible answers.”
“How best may a man make himself beloved?”“A man will be beloved if, possessed with great power; he still does not make himself feared.”
“How may a man become a god?” “By doing that which it is impossible for a man to do.”
“Which is stronger, life or death?” “Life, because it bears so many evils.”
So impressed was Alexander that he took an Indian Sage (a devotee of Kali) who came to be known as Kalanos, with him on his return to Macedonia. When they reached Persia, Kalanos gave up his aged body by entering a funeral pyre in view of the whole Macedonian army.
Swami Yogananda Paramhansa notes that the historians record the astonishment of the soldiers who observed that the yogi had no fear of pain or death, and who never once moved from his position as he was consumed in the flames. Before leaving for his cremation, Kalanos had embraced all his close companions, but refrained from bidding farewell to Alexander, to whom the Hindu sage had merely remarked: “I shall see you soon in Babylon.” Alexander left Persia, and died a year later in Babylon. His Indian Guru’s words had been his way of saying he would be present with Alexander in life and death.
The Emperor Chandragupta in 305 B C had decisively defeated Alexander’s general, Seleucus. However, seven years later he handed over the reins of India’s government to his son. Chandragupta then spent the last twelve years of his life as a penniless ascetic, seeking self-realization in a rocky cave at Shravanabelagola, a shrine near Mysore.