The historians record
the astonishment of the soldiers who observed that the yogi had no
fear of pain or death, and who never once moved from his position
as he was consumed in the flames. Before leaving for his cremation,
Kalanos had embraced all his close companions, but refrained from
bidding farewell to Alexander, to whom the Hindu sage had merely
remarked:
"I shall see you shortly in Babylon."
Alexander left Persia, and died a year later in Babylon. His Indian
guru's words had been his way of saying he would be present with
Alexander in life and death.
The Greek historians have left us many vivid and inspiring pictures
of Indian society. Hindu law, Arrian tells us, protects the people
and "ordains that no one among them shall, under any circumstances,
be a slave but that, enjoying freedom themselves, they shall respect
the equal right to it which all possess. For those, they thought,
who have learned neither to domineer over nor cringe to others will
attain the life best adapted for all vicissitudes of lot." {FN41-6}
"The Indians," runs another text, "neither put out money at usury,
nor know how to borrow. It is contrary to established usage for an
Indian either to do or suffer a wrong, and therefore they neither
make contracts nor require securities." Healing, we are told, was
by simple and natural means. "Cures are effected rather by regulating
diet than by the use of medicines.
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