Full moonlight. The entire world is shining beautifully in the flood of the silvery moonlight. The forest trees have been moving to the mild winds and birds are radiating happiness through their chirpings. The moon is yearning to set the dark curtain of the clouds aside and brighten the world.
In that darkness, Chandragupta has been traveling in the deep forest. Two Greek soldiers who came from the opposite side challenged him.
“Who are you? what has brought you here?”
“Who are you? What are you upto?” retorted Chandragupta fearlessly.
The soldiers continues in a harsh tone, ‘ don’t you know about us, the soldiers of Alexander, the conqueror of the world? Our king is camping here .Perhaps, you are ignorant of this.”
“In that case, what are you doing here instead of remaining at the tent of your king?”
“Our job is to capture the spies like you“ spoke the soldiers fiercely.
“That’s beyond you!” said Chandragupta in a profound voice.
“Then we’ll arrest you now itself.” The soldiers dismounted their horses and came to capture him.
Chandragupta drew out his sword in a flash of a moment. And roared. “ Stop.One step more . You are finished.” The soldiers backed out.
He then sheathed his sword and asked them, “Now, tell me! What do you want to do after taking me as a prisoner?”
“We’ll present you before the emperor. That’s all.”
“Well! That’s what I want! I’ve come to meet your emperor. Come. I my self will accompany you into his presence.”
The soldiers took him to their lord Alexander . The emperor has been in confabulations with Salukis, his commander-in-chief.
‘’ Lord1 we’ve captured him while in wandering near the camp.”
Pat came the reply. “ No! they haven’t captured me. I have come on my own!“
***
The emperor looked at Chandragupta in amazement. He was impressed by his heroic mood, handsome figure, deep tone and bravery. The Greek commander-in-chief also nodded his head to express his approval.
Alexander asked him, “who are you? Why are you wandering near our camp?”
" I am prince of Magadha and knownas Chandragupta. Now I am a refugee. I’ve come to visit the world famous Greek prince. I believe that your art of warfare would be useful to me in future in establishing Indian empire which has been my goal.”
Chandragupta spoke in a dignified tone.
Alexander recollected the words of Panini Maharshi. He wondered whether this young man would become the emperor of India as envisaged by the Rishi. He remembered the encounter he had with the rishi in a hermitage near Taxasila in the past.
Panini rishi is a man of amazing tapas. He could shake even the conqueror of the world like himself. In the course of his expedition, he reached the western India. One day he had been wandering in a serene hermitage and saw the rishi in meditation .He felt very angry that he had not received due respect from the rishi. So he ordered his soldiers to disturb the rishi in meditation. When the soldiers tried to reach him, Panininopened his eyes and said, Oh, fool! Why are you so arrogant not to realize that your wish to conquer India is futile. Your victorious march would come to a halt in Aryavarta.”
Alexander replied in a frenzy.
“ Stop your verbosity! How dare are you to question our victory? You are a rag-wearing sage. Are you defying the conqueror of the world? You must pay for this insult with your execution”
Alexander took out his sword and raised his hand to cut the head of the rishi but stunned to find his hand still in the air. He felt the feet of the rishi and pleaded for mercy. The rishi relented and released Alexander’s hand from the spell.
Then he asked the rishi in all humbleness. “ Swami! Would my victorious march be checked in India?’
The rishi spoke with eyes closed. “ Yes! India won’t become your subject. You are not fortunate enough to become its emperor.”
“Then, whose lot is it?” asked Alexander curiously.
“You‘ ll come to know about such a fortunate person who would rule India under one umbrella. One day he will be ushered into your presence.”
On that day Alexander took leave of the rishi in agitation amidst hope and despair.
***
Thereafter he pinned his hopes on human effort and advanced with a large army conquering one area after another. At last, he came face to face with Purushottam of Punjab , appreciated his prowess and made an agreement with him. Now he was in a dilemma to continue his expedition or not to. This warrior who has come to meet him might be the man of destiny!”
The noble Alexander had been very much impressed by Chandragupta. “He can’t proceed on the expedition with his soldiers wearied and yearning for homeland. Hence. It is in the fitness of things to help this brave young man in his endeavour.”
He decided to help Chandragupta.
“Well, prince! Your desire and bravery pleased us. You becoming the emperor of India seems to be God’s will. Now we are bent on going homeward giving up our desire to conquer the world. Still, you could learn the art of the Greek warfare with attention and interest from Salukis, the commander-in-chief. It’s a matter of pride for us to satisfy the desire of heroes interested in learning.” Spoke Alexander.
Chandragupta felt elated at the generosity of Alexander. He received honour befitting a prince. He expressed his gratitude to Alexander and followed Salukis, the commander-in –chief of the Greek army.
In that darkness, Chandragupta has been traveling in the deep forest. Two Greek soldiers who came from the opposite side challenged him.
“Who are you? what has brought you here?”
“Who are you? What are you upto?” retorted Chandragupta fearlessly.
The soldiers continues in a harsh tone, ‘ don’t you know about us, the soldiers of Alexander, the conqueror of the world? Our king is camping here .Perhaps, you are ignorant of this.”
“In that case, what are you doing here instead of remaining at the tent of your king?”
“Our job is to capture the spies like you“ spoke the soldiers fiercely.
“That’s beyond you!” said Chandragupta in a profound voice.
“Then we’ll arrest you now itself.” The soldiers dismounted their horses and came to capture him.
Chandragupta drew out his sword in a flash of a moment. And roared. “ Stop.One step more . You are finished.” The soldiers backed out.
He then sheathed his sword and asked them, “Now, tell me! What do you want to do after taking me as a prisoner?”
“We’ll present you before the emperor. That’s all.”
“Well! That’s what I want! I’ve come to meet your emperor. Come. I my self will accompany you into his presence.”
The soldiers took him to their lord Alexander . The emperor has been in confabulations with Salukis, his commander-in-chief.
‘’ Lord1 we’ve captured him while in wandering near the camp.”
Pat came the reply. “ No! they haven’t captured me. I have come on my own!“
***
The emperor looked at Chandragupta in amazement. He was impressed by his heroic mood, handsome figure, deep tone and bravery. The Greek commander-in-chief also nodded his head to express his approval.
Alexander asked him, “who are you? Why are you wandering near our camp?”
" I am prince of Magadha and knownas Chandragupta. Now I am a refugee. I’ve come to visit the world famous Greek prince. I believe that your art of warfare would be useful to me in future in establishing Indian empire which has been my goal.”
Chandragupta spoke in a dignified tone.
Alexander recollected the words of Panini Maharshi. He wondered whether this young man would become the emperor of India as envisaged by the Rishi. He remembered the encounter he had with the rishi in a hermitage near Taxasila in the past.
Panini rishi is a man of amazing tapas. He could shake even the conqueror of the world like himself. In the course of his expedition, he reached the western India. One day he had been wandering in a serene hermitage and saw the rishi in meditation .He felt very angry that he had not received due respect from the rishi. So he ordered his soldiers to disturb the rishi in meditation. When the soldiers tried to reach him, Panininopened his eyes and said, Oh, fool! Why are you so arrogant not to realize that your wish to conquer India is futile. Your victorious march would come to a halt in Aryavarta.”
Alexander replied in a frenzy.
“ Stop your verbosity! How dare are you to question our victory? You are a rag-wearing sage. Are you defying the conqueror of the world? You must pay for this insult with your execution”
Alexander took out his sword and raised his hand to cut the head of the rishi but stunned to find his hand still in the air. He felt the feet of the rishi and pleaded for mercy. The rishi relented and released Alexander’s hand from the spell.
Then he asked the rishi in all humbleness. “ Swami! Would my victorious march be checked in India?’
The rishi spoke with eyes closed. “ Yes! India won’t become your subject. You are not fortunate enough to become its emperor.”
“Then, whose lot is it?” asked Alexander curiously.
“You‘ ll come to know about such a fortunate person who would rule India under one umbrella. One day he will be ushered into your presence.”
On that day Alexander took leave of the rishi in agitation amidst hope and despair.
***
Thereafter he pinned his hopes on human effort and advanced with a large army conquering one area after another. At last, he came face to face with Purushottam of Punjab , appreciated his prowess and made an agreement with him. Now he was in a dilemma to continue his expedition or not to. This warrior who has come to meet him might be the man of destiny!”
The noble Alexander had been very much impressed by Chandragupta. “He can’t proceed on the expedition with his soldiers wearied and yearning for homeland. Hence. It is in the fitness of things to help this brave young man in his endeavour.”
He decided to help Chandragupta.
“Well, prince! Your desire and bravery pleased us. You becoming the emperor of India seems to be God’s will. Now we are bent on going homeward giving up our desire to conquer the world. Still, you could learn the art of the Greek warfare with attention and interest from Salukis, the commander-in-chief. It’s a matter of pride for us to satisfy the desire of heroes interested in learning.” Spoke Alexander.
Chandragupta felt elated at the generosity of Alexander. He received honour befitting a prince. He expressed his gratitude to Alexander and followed Salukis, the commander-in –chief of the Greek army.
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