भारतीय इतिहास के ६ स्वर्णिम पृष्ठ (वीर सावरकर - विदेशी आक्रान्ताओं पर विजय गाथा)

that the same thing took place wherever he trod, until at length he stepped
into the middle and by doing so made it all lie flat. This symbol was
intended to show Alexander that he should control his empire from its
centre and not wander away to its distant extremities.”
The Canon of Dandamis
30. Alexander keenly felt that he should send for and have a personal talk
with one Brahmin, of whom he had heard so much in Taxila (Takshashila).
The Greeks called this Brahmin ‘Dandamis’, but I have not so far
succeeded in tracing down his original Sanskrit name. The Brahmin, bent
with age and knowledge, was free from all worldly ties and wandered naked
everywhere. He did not pay any heed to Alexander’s messages. Thereupon,
Alexander sent his own officer ‘Onesikretos’ to this selfless recluse, who
told him, “Alexander, the very son of God Zeus (Sansk: Dyus) and a world-
conqueror has summoned you to his court. If you still fail to come, you will
be beheaded instantaneously.” The Brahmin began to laugh vociferously at
this threat and replied, “If Alexander is the son of Zeus, in the same manner
and for the same reason, I am also the son of that very Zeus (Dyus). As to
his boast of being a world-conqueror, it is absolutely vain! He has not as yet
seen the other bank of the river Vyas. If he successfully faces the brave
Indian states beyond and, yonder still, the powerful empire of Magadha and
still remains alive, we shall have time to consider whether he is a world-
conqueror. Alexander offers me land and gold; but go and tell him that
ascetics like me spit upon such things. This motherland of mine provides
me with everything I want, wilh the loving care of a real mother. If
Alexander is going to chop my head off, then my head and body would mix
up with this earth of what they are made, but he would never be able to
murder my soul. It is invincible, indestructible and immortal. Go and tell
him, that he should issue these threats to those, who are slaves of gold and
power and are afraid of death. Before us, these threats of a mortal like
Alexander fall flat and are powerless. For, a true ascetic Brahmin can never
be won over by gold, nor does he ever fear death. I won’t come go away.”
31. We have quoted only some of the sentences from the reply of
Dandamis to Alexander. Greek writers have given the full text of his
fearless and direct reply. Plutarch, too, has mentioned these tales. Some
writers, astounded by his dauntless and straightforward answer, have
remarked, “If, at all, anyone in the world has so successfully defied