Tulsi Prajna 1992 10

SR No.: 524572
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Parmeshwar Solanki
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1992
Total Pages: 160
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 8 MB

Page 151

Vol. XVIII, No. 3
but after his victory he forfeited by his tyranny all title to the name of the liberator, for he oppressed with servitude the very people whom he had emancipated from foreign thraldom. He was born in humble life, but was prompted to aspire to royaltry by an omen significant of august destiny. For when by his insolent behaviour he had offended Nandrus, and was ordered by that king to be put to death, he sought safety by a speedy flight. When he lay down overcome with fatigue and had fallen into a deep sleep, a lion of enormous size approaching the slumberer licked with its tongue the sweat which oozed profusely from his body, and when he awoke quietly took its departure. It was this prodigy which first inspired him with the hope of winning the throne, and so having collected a band of robbers, he instigated the Indians to overthrow the existing government. When he was thereafter preparing to attack Alexander's prefects, a wild elephant of monstrous size approached him and kneeling submissively like a tame clephant received him on its back and fought vigorously in front of the army. SANDROCOTTUS thus having won the throne was reigning over India when SELEUCUS was laying the foundations of his future greatness. SELEUCUS having made a treaty with him and otherwise settled its affairs in the east, returned home to war with ANTIGONUS".41
131
That is how Mccrindle has rendered Justin. Mccrindle followed GUTSMID in altering the text by replacing "ALEXANDRUM" with "NANDRUM"! The original reading is, however, accepted as the correct one by scholars including Dr. R. C. Majumdar. So it was not Nanda, but Alexander who wanted to have SANDROCOTTUS killed. Similarly, for "a band of robbers", scholars like Dr. R. C. MAJUMDAR suggest "band of mercenaries". Even if the text stands as Mccrindle has it, it does not make much difference. Even the fighters for the best cause are called thieves and robbers by the enemies and Justin undoubtedly was an admirer of the enemies of Sandrocottus.
We are in a position now to draw the following conclusions about SANDROCOTTUS (1) His real name was CHANDRAGUPTA. That is the conclusion we get from phonetics. (2) He was born in an ordinary Ksatriya family. (3) Favourable conditions encouraged him to aspire for the throne. (4) He met Alexander but his behaviour (outspokenness) enraged the latter with the result that he was ordered to be put to death and had to flee. (5) He overthrew Chandrama after the return of Alexander, uprooted the prefects of Alexander and won the independence of his country. (6) He con