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