An Interview of Indian Ascetics by Alexander
The following is the account of an interview of Indian ascetics by Alexander as stated in a text, 'Life of Appolonius' by Philostratus.
Philostratus wrote this account in c. 230 AD, which tells of Apollonius, a Greek philosopher.
The following is the account of an interview of Indian ascetics by Alexander as stated in a text, 'Life of Appolonius' by Philostratus.
Philostratus wrote this account in c. 230 AD, which tells of Apollonius, a Greek philosopher.
Apollonius of Tyana ( 3 BCE - 97 AD) was a philospher from Tyana, which is a town in Cappadpcia, modern Turkey.
He came to India in c.50 AD, and his life has been mentioned in the account of Philostratus (1.19-3.58).
He came to India in c.50 AD, and his life has been mentioned in the account of Philostratus (1.19-3.58).
The same questions are in the account of Plutarch in his 'Parallel Lives', Life of Alexander.
The repetition of the same questions and answers in both accounts may hint at some degree of truth in this event.
The repetition of the same questions and answers in both accounts may hint at some degree of truth in this event.
Alexander caught these 'Gymnosophists', or the "naked wise men" during his campaigns in 326 BCE.
They were told that if they give incorrect answers to the questions posed, they will all be killed.
They were told that if they give incorrect answers to the questions posed, they will all be killed.
First Question: "What is numerous, dead or living ?"
Answer: "Living, since the dead do not count."
Second Question: "Which produced large animals, Sea or Earth?"
Answer: " Earth, since sea is a part of earth.
Answer: "Living, since the dead do not count."
Second Question: "Which produced large animals, Sea or Earth?"
Answer: " Earth, since sea is a part of earth.
Third Question: "Which is the most cunning animal in the world ?"
Answer: "That which man has yet not discovered."
Fourth Question: "Why have you induced Sabbas (a king) to revolt?"
Answer: "Because I wished him to live or die nobly."
Answer: "That which man has yet not discovered."
Fourth Question: "Why have you induced Sabbas (a king) to revolt?"
Answer: "Because I wished him to live or die nobly."
Fifth Question: "Which is older, day or night?"
Answer: "Day, by one Day".
Sixth Question: "How a man could be most loved?"
Answer: "If he is the most powerful and yet does not inspire fear."
Answer: "Day, by one Day".
Sixth Question: "How a man could be most loved?"
Answer: "If he is the most powerful and yet does not inspire fear."
Seventh Question: "Which one is stronger, Life or Death?"
Answer: "Life, since it supports so many ills."
Eighth Question: " How one might become a God?"
Answer: "By doing something which no man can possibly do."
Answer: "Life, since it supports so many ills."
Eighth Question: " How one might become a God?"
Answer: "By doing something which no man can possibly do."
Ninth Question: "How long it were well for a man to live?"
Answer: "Until he does not regard death as better than life."
Alexander, perplexed, declared that all the answers have been "strange", to which one of the ascetics replied:
"Strange questions beget strange answers."
Answer: "Until he does not regard death as better than life."
Alexander, perplexed, declared that all the answers have been "strange", to which one of the ascetics replied:
"Strange questions beget strange answers."
Satisfied, Alexander spared their lives, and dismissed them with gifts.
End
End
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