Indian Antiquary Vol 06

SR No.: 032498
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jas Burgess
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 458
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 21 MB

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THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
and has not yet seated himself on a throne of universal dominion? Moreover, Alexander has neither as yet entered living into IIades, nor does he know the course of the sun through the central regions of the earth, while the nations on its boundaries have not so much as heard his name.§ If his present dominions are not capacious enough for his desire, let him cross the Ganges river, and he will find a region able to sustain men if the country on our side be too narrow to hold him. Know this, however, that what Alexander offers me, and the gifts he promises, are all things to me utterly useless; but the things which I prize, and find of real use and worth, are these leaves which are my house, these blooming plants which supply me with dainty food, and the water which is my drink, while all other possessions and things, which are amassed with anxious care, are wont to prove ruinous to those who amass them, and cause only sorrow and vexation, with which every poor mortal is fully fraught. But as for me, I lie upon the forest leaves, and, having nothing which requires guarding, close my eyes in tranquil slumber; whereas had I gold to guard, that would banish sleep. The earth supplies me with everything, even as a mother her child with milk. I go wherever I please, and there are no cares with which I am forced to cumber myself, against my will. Should Alexander cut off my head, he cannot also destroy my soul. My head alone, now silent, will remain, but the soul will go away to its Master, leaving the body like a torn garment upon the earth, whence also it was taken. I then, becoming spirit, shall ascend to my God, who enclosed us in flesh, and left us upon the
judgment on those who injured me: for the sighs and groans of the injured become the punishments of the oppressors.
"Let Alexander threaten with this them that desire riches or fear death, both of which I despise. For Brachmans neither love gold nor dread death. Go, therefore, and tell Alexander this
† ζῶν ἐν ᾅδου οὐδέπω παρῆλθεν. The Latin version has non zonam Gadem transiit, 'has not crossed the zone of Cadiz.' The text here is so corrupt as to be almost untranslatable. I have therefore rendered from the Latin, though not quite closely.
"Others say Dandamis entered into no discourse with the messengers, but only asked why Alexander had taken so long a journey ?"-Plutarch's Alexander.
This list Pliny has borrowed for the most part from Megasthenes. Cf. Schwanbeck, p. 16 seq., 57 seq.
According to the MSS. 638 or 637 miles. The places
[NOVEMBER, 1877.
earth to prove whether when here below we shall live obedient to his ordinances, and who also will require of us, when we depart hence to his presence, an account of our life, since he is judge of all proud wrong-doing; for the groans of the oppressed become the punishments of the oppressors.
"Let Alexander, then, terrify with these threats those who wish for gold and for wealth, and who dread death, for against us these weapons are both alike powerless, since the Bragmanes neither love gold nor fear death. Go, then, and tell Alexander this: 'Dandamis has no need of aught that is yours, and therefore will not go to you, but if you want anything from Dandamis come you to him.""
Alexander, on receiving from Onesikratês a report of the interview, felt 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 found more than his match, &c.
FRAGM. LVI.
Plin. Hist. Nat. VI. 21. 8-23. 11. List of the Indian Races.
The other journeys made thence (from the Hyphasis) for Seleukos Nikator are as follows:168 miles to the Hesidrus, and to the river Jomanes as many (some copies add 5 miles); from thence to the Ganges 112 miles. 119 miles to Rhodopha (others give 325 miles for this distance). To the town Kalinipaxa 167-500. Others give 265 miles. Thence to the confluence of the Jomanes and Ganges 625 miles (many add 13 miles), and to the town Palimbothra 425. To the mouth of the Ganges 738 miles.*
The races which we may enumerate without
'Dandamis seeks nothing of yours, but if you think you need something of his, disdain not to go to him.""
When Alexander heard these words through the interpreter, he wished the more to see such a man, since he, who had subdued many nations, was overcome by an old naked man, &c.
mentioned in this famous itinerary all lay on the Royal Road, which ran from the Indus to Palibothra. They have been thus identified. The Hesidrus is now the Satlej, and the point of departure lay immediately below its junction with the Hyphasis (now the Bife). The direct route thence (via Ludhianá, Sirhind, and Ambâlâ) conducted the traveller to the ferry of the Jomanes, now the Janina, in the neighbourhood of the present Bureah, whence the road led to the Ganges at a point which, to judge from the distance given (112 miles), must have been near the site of the far-famed Hastinapura. The next stage to be reached was Rhodopha, the position of which, both its name and its