A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s5.12

v2.c19.s5.12

The old poem probably began with the magnificent description of the city of Sāgala, the residence of King Milinda.³ Then it was related how the well-informed and mighty Greek king one day, after he had reviewed his army, expressed a wish for a contest in speeches. But the king was so dreaded an opponent in speech contests with wise men, that it was not easy to find a Brahman or an ascetic who would venture to dispute with him. However, his courtiers took him to the monk Āyupāla, who lived in a hermitage in the vicinity of Sāgala. Even he is embarrassed by the king's very first question, and Milinda exclaims: "Empty, alas, is all India. All India is but vain gossip! There is no ascetic or Brahman who is capable of disputing with me and solving my doubts!" Just at that time the very learned and wise Buddhist monk Nāgasena was passing through villages and towns begging. He was famed far and wide for his wisdom, and in debate nobody could rival him. He had just come to Sāgala and had settled down in a hermitage. The courtiers take the king to him, and the personality of the sage at once makes a powerful impression on the king.¹