Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c11.180

c11.180

The personal gifts of Chandragupta were of a varied kind. Reference has been made to his intrepidity and ability as a soldier, vigour and wisdom as an administrator, to his keen sense of beauty and love of nature. To these he added a wide intellectual curiosity and, according to traditional accounts, a deep interest in religion. These were probably imbibed from contact with philosophers. Megasthenes tells us that it was a general practice among Indian kings to consult through messengers a class of philosophers called the Hylobioi—a section of the Sarmanes (Sramaṇas)—who dwelt in the woods and lived a life of continence. The questions regarding which rulers sought illumination related to the cause of things and other matters. The services of these philosophers were also employed for the worship or supplication of deities¹. Again, at the beginning of the year a great Synod of philosophers was called by kings in order that they might communicate useful suggestions in writing concerning the improvement of crops or the cattle or the promotion of public interest². It will perhaps not be unreasonable to surmise that the Greek envoy learnt about some of these things from what actually came under his observation at Pāṭaliputra.