Alexander, during his campaigns in the Punjab, was anxious to see a celebrated sage; he went to the cave where the sage was, and expected that he would be received most thankfully and with demonstrations of welcome. But the sage simply asked him to move aside and go. He was not interested in the famous world-shaker, the Greek conqueror. Alexander was very angry; he threatened to kill the sage and drew his sword. But the sage said calmly, with a laugh ‘I do not die; I cannot die.’ That put some sense in Alexander and he put his sword back into the scabbard. (SSS Vol.3, p. 65)

There is a story of Alexander the Great, which illustrates the glory of Indian Culture. It seems Alexander used to go incognito to the villages around his camp, in India, in order to learn the habits and manners of the strange new land into which fate had brought him. One day, he found a man pleading with another to accept a pot of gold, which the other was refusing even to look at!

He came to know that the pot of gold was discovered under the soil of the field purchased by the man from the man who refused to accept it. The buyer argued that he had bought only the land and was therefore not entitled to own the pot of gold; the seller said, he had no more right for anything found on or in the plot, that he had sold.

Alexander watched this contest for some time; both did not yield. At last, the village elders were called in to decide the issue. And, even as Alexander watched, the elders found a happy way out the buyer’s son shall marry the seller’s daughter and the pot of the gold shall be given to the bride as dowry! Alexander felt elated at the heights to which human virtue could rise; he was also ashamed at his own adventurous ambition to conquer another’s property by force of arms. The ideals underlying the ancient culture of India have to be studied and practised by every Indian at least, so that the world might have the benefit of the great examples this can provide. (SSS Vol.13, pp. 28-29)

The great conqueror, Alexander, when he was approaching his end, called all his warriors and

told them that when he died, his body should be taken to the grave with his two hands held upwards. On seeing the funeral procession with hands of the emperor held up, the people asked why the emperor was being carried in that manner. (SSS Vol.17, p. 36)

As per the king’s wish, his dead body was taken in a procession through the streets. The people were rather surprised at this strange act and enquired, ‘Why are you taking the dead body of the king in procession, with his hands raised?’ The ministers replied, ‘Alexander the Great, who was rolling in great wealth left this world empty-handed. It is only to make this fact known to the people as per the king’s last wish, his dead body is being taken in procession like this.’ Not only Alexander, but every human being has to ultimately depart from this world empty-handed. One may acquire a vast kingdom; one may have a great army behind him; one may have a number of friends and relatives; but, none will accompany one during one’s last journey. (SSS Vol.39, p. 291)

Alexander was getting ready to invade Bharat; he approached his teacher to seek his blessings. Then, the teacher said, ‘My son! I heard that some of the most highly esteemed objects are to be found in Bharat. Get them for me as your offering to the teacher. First, there are in Bharat wandering ascetics endowed with perfect devotion and absolute detachment. Bring along with you one such ascetic. Second, Bharat is a land sanctified by the feet of great spiritual aspirants, mahants, heads of mendicants, sages, and incarnations of God in the course of their wanderings. That dust is very sacred.

Bring some along. Third, they say river Ganga washes off all sins. My son! Bring some Ganga water in a vessel. Fourth, there is the riches of the Bhagavad Gita which underscores the right way to live and its goal. Procure a copy for me!’ (Satyopanishad, p. 32)

Alexander the Great, who came to India at the behest of his teacher, on his way back to Greece took with him a lump of Indian earth, a vessel full of Ganges water, copies of the Bhagavad Gita and Mahabharata and the blessings of an Indian sage. (SSS Vol.19, p. 65)