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| Alexander Coin (Photo by PHGCOM) |
It is well known that Alexander the Great had been hoping to conquer far more of the Indian subcontinent than he actually did.
H. E. Marshall explained that after Alexander fought many bitter battles within the Punjab region, he was "eager to reach the holy river Ganges and conquer the people there." His men, however, were just as eager to bid adieu to India's elephants and climatic extremes. They therefore begged Alexander to go no further, and
he very reluctantly agreed.
Nevertheless, Alexander allegedly remained fascinated by stories he had heard about yogis. IndiaDivine.org tells us that when Alexander was about to leave the subcontinent, he "remembered that his people had asked him to bring to them an Indian yogi" in order to receive blessings.
After meeting such a yogi, Alexander asked him to come to Greece.
After the yogi politely declined, Alexander was enraged. No one had ever dared to refuse such a "majestic" request. Therefore, Alexander replied: "I am the great king Alexander. If
you will not listen to me, I shall kill you – cut you into pieces!"
The yogi replied: You cannot kill me! You can only kill my body… You say you are a king. May I tell you who you are? You are a slave of my slave!
He then explained to Alexander: Anger
is my slave… You are a slave of anger, and, therefore, a slave of
my slave!
Resources
http://www.indiadivine.org/audarya/hinduism-forum/272183-alexander-great-yogi.html
http://hinduism.about.com/od/history/a/alexander.htm
Copyright July 10, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke All Rights Reserved
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