Age of the Nandas and Mauryas c12.s8.11

c12.s8.11

The life of the forest-dwelling Brahmin philosophers has been described by the contemporary Greek writers. It was, we are told, a life of great simplicity and hardship. The philosophers had their cottages in front of the city within an enclosed space. They lived in simple style, used beds of rushes and deer skins and abstained from animal food and sexual pleasures. They passed their time in listening to serious discourses and in imparting their knowledge to those who would follow them. In the story of Mandanis, as told by Megasthenes, we get the true picture of a Brahmanical sage of those times. The story runs that Alexander while in India was attracted by the reputation of a sage named Mandanis and sent a messenger inviting him and promising him great reward. But Mandanis, although threatened with death, refused to accept his invitation and sent the following reply :