Guest guest Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Calanus was of the sect of Gymnosophists, called Brachman. The Brachmans were all of one tribe. From the time of their birth, they were put under guardians and, as they grew up, had a succession of instructors. They were in a state of pupilage til thirty six years of age; after which they were allowed to live more at large, to wear fine linen and gold rings, to live upon the flesh of animals not employed in labor, and to marry as many as wives as they pleased. Others submitted, through their whole lives, to stricter discipline, and passes their days upon the banks of the Ganges, with no other food than fruits , herbs and milk. The Samaneans were a society formed of those who voluntarily devoted themselves to the study of divine wisdom/. They gave up all private property, and committed their children to the cure of the state, and their wives to the protection of their relations. They were supported at the public expense, and spent their time in contemplation, in conversation on divine subjects , or in acts of religion. A wonder circumstance is related concerning these philosophers; that frequently, without any apparent reason from ill health or misfortune, they formed a resolution to quit the world, and, when they had communicated their intention to their friends, immediately, without any expressions of regret on the one side or of apprehension on the other , threw themselves into a fire which they had themselves prepared for the occasion. There was another sect called Hylobeons, who lives entirely in forests, upon leaves and wild fruits, wore no other clothing than the bark of trees, and practiced the severest abstinence of every kind. From this account of the Indian Gymnosophists, it is easy to perceive that they were more distinguished by severity of manners than by the cultivation of science, and that they more resembled modern monks than ancient philosophers. In a conference which was held with Onesicritus, Calanus, when he saw Alexander's messengers clothed with fine linen garments, and elegantly adorned, laughed at their effeminacy , and requested them, if they wished to hold any conference with Brahcmans, to lay aside their ornaments, and like them recline upon ht naked rocks. It is also related , that when he found the infirmities of age coming upon him, he devoted himself to voluntary death, and ascending the funeral pile, said " Happy hour of departure from life, in which , as it happened to Hercules, after the mortal body is burned, the soul shall go forth into light!" From Wisdom, Wit, and Whims of Distinguished Ancient Philosophers http://books.google.co.in/books?id=7xty6sBNRK4C & pg=PA89 & lpg=PA89 & dq=calanus+ & source=web & ots=qEQ5WjSe2p & sig=dK44FF7dPZ__S_BCOw8inHoBtYs & hl=en & sa=X & oi=book_result & resnum=8 & ct=result#PPA90,M1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Note that Gymno = naked sophist= philosopher. Samanean must be Shramana. Yashwant , " kishore patnaik " <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: > > Calanus was of the sect of Gymnosophists, called Brachman. The Brachmans > were all of one tribe. From the time of their birth, they were put under > guardians and, as they grew up, had a succession of instructors. They were > in a state of pupilage til thirty six years of age; after which they were > allowed to live more at large, to wear fine linen and gold rings, to live > upon the flesh of animals not employed in labor, and to marry as many as > wives as they pleased. Others submitted, through their whole lives, to > stricter discipline, and passes their days upon the banks of the Ganges, > with no other food than fruits , herbs and milk. The Samaneans were a > society formed of those who voluntarily devoted themselves to the study of > divine wisdom/. They gave up all private property, and committed their > children to the cure of the state, and their wives to the protection of > their relations. They were supported at the public expense, and spent their > time in contemplation, in conversation on divine subjects , or in acts of > religion. A wonder circumstance is related concerning these philosophers; > that frequently, without any apparent reason from ill health or misfortune, > they formed a resolution to quit the world, and, when they had communicated > their intention to their friends, immediately, without any expressions of > regret on the one side or of apprehension on the other , threw themselves > into a fire which they had themselves prepared for the occasion. There was > another sect called Hylobeons, who lives entirely in forests, upon leaves > and wild fruits, wore no other clothing than the bark of trees, and > practiced the severest abstinence of every kind. > > > > From this account of the Indian Gymnosophists, it is easy to perceive that > they were more distinguished by severity of manners than by the cultivation > of science, and that they more resembled modern monks than ancient > philosophers. > > > > In a conference which was held with Onesicritus, Calanus, when he saw > Alexander's messengers clothed with fine linen garments, and elegantly > adorned, laughed at their effeminacy , and requested them, if they wished to > hold any conference with Brahcmans, to lay aside their ornaments, and like > them recline upon ht naked rocks. It is also related , that when he found > the infirmities of age coming upon him, he devoted himself to voluntary > death, and ascending the funeral pile, said " Happy hour of departure from > life, in which , as it happened to Hercules, after the mortal body is > burned, the soul shall go forth into light! " > > > From Wisdom, Wit, and Whims of Distinguished Ancient Philosophers > > http://books.google.co.in/books? id=7xty6sBNRK4C & pg=PA89 & lpg=PA89 & dq=calanus+ & source=web & ots=qEQ5WjSe2p & sig=dK44FF7dPZ__S_BCOw8inHoBtYs & hl=en & sa=X & oi=book_result & resnum=8 & ct =result#PPA90,M1 > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Shramana need not be a Buddhist monk. Kishore patnaik , " ymalaiya " <ymalaiya wrote: > > Note that Gymno = naked sophist= philosopher. > > Samanean must be Shramana. > > Yashwant > > , " kishore patnaik " > <kishorepatnaik09@> wrote: > > > > Calanus was of the sect of Gymnosophists, called Brachman. The > Brachmans > > were all of one tribe. From the time of their birth, they were put > under > > guardians and, as they grew up, had a succession of instructors. > They were > > in a state of pupilage til thirty six years of age; after which > they were > > allowed to live more at large, to wear fine linen and gold rings, > to live > > upon the flesh of animals not employed in labor, and to marry as > many as > > wives as they pleased. Others submitted, through their whole lives, > to > > stricter discipline, and passes their days upon the banks of the > Ganges, > > with no other food than fruits , herbs and milk. The Samaneans were > a > > society formed of those who voluntarily devoted themselves to the > study of > > divine wisdom/. They gave up all private property, and committed > their > > children to the cure of the state, and their wives to the > protection of > > their relations. They were supported at the public expense, and > spent their > > time in contemplation, in conversation on divine subjects , or in > acts of > > religion. A wonder circumstance is related concerning these > philosophers; > > that frequently, without any apparent reason from ill health or > misfortune, > > they formed a resolution to quit the world, and, when they had > communicated > > their intention to their friends, immediately, without any > expressions of > > regret on the one side or of apprehension on the other , threw > themselves > > into a fire which they had themselves prepared for the occasion. > There was > > another sect called Hylobeons, who lives entirely in forests, upon > leaves > > and wild fruits, wore no other clothing than the bark of trees, and > > practiced the severest abstinence of every kind. > > > > > > > > From this account of the Indian Gymnosophists, it is easy to > perceive that > > they were more distinguished by severity of manners than by the > cultivation > > of science, and that they more resembled modern monks than ancient > > philosophers. > > > > > > > > In a conference which was held with Onesicritus, Calanus, when he > saw > > Alexander's messengers clothed with fine linen garments, and > elegantly > > adorned, laughed at their effeminacy , and requested them, if they > wished to > > hold any conference with Brahcmans, to lay aside their ornaments, > and like > > them recline upon ht naked rocks. It is also related , that when he > found > > the infirmities of age coming upon him, he devoted himself to > voluntary > > death, and ascending the funeral pile, said " Happy hour of > departure from > > life, in which , as it happened to Hercules, after the mortal body > is > > burned, the soul shall go forth into light! " > > > > > > From Wisdom, Wit, and Whims of Distinguished Ancient Philosophers > > > > http://books.google.co.in/books? > id=7xty6sBNRK4C & pg=PA89 & lpg=PA89 & dq=calanus+ & source=web & ots=qEQ5WjSe2p > & sig=dK44FF7dPZ__S_BCOw8inHoBtYs & hl=en & sa=X & oi=book_result & resnum=8 & ct > =result#PPA90,M1 > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 , " Kishore patnaik " <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: > > Shramana need not be a Buddhist monk. > > Kishore patnaik Yes, that is right. A Shramana can be any one of Buddhist, Jain or Ajivika monk. Of them, the Jain ( " Nirgrantha " ) and Ajivika monks did not wear clothes. Yashwant > , " ymalaiya " <ymalaiya@> wrote: > > > > Note that Gymno = naked sophist= philosopher. > > > > Samanean must be Shramana. > > > > Yashwant > > > > , " kishore patnaik " > > <kishorepatnaik09@> wrote: > > > > > > Calanus was of the sect of Gymnosophists, called Brachman. The > > Brachmans > > > were all of one tribe. From the time of their birth, they were put > > under > > > guardians and, as they grew up, had a succession of instructors. > > They were > > > in a state of pupilage til thirty six years of age; after which > > they were > > > allowed to live more at large, to wear fine linen and gold rings, > > to live > > > upon the flesh of animals not employed in labor, and to marry as > > many as > > > wives as they pleased. Others submitted, through their whole lives, > > to > > > stricter discipline, and passes their days upon the banks of the > > Ganges, > > > with no other food than fruits , herbs and milk. The Samaneans were > > a > > > society formed of those who voluntarily devoted themselves to the > > study of > > > divine wisdom/. They gave up all private property, and committed > > their > > > children to the cure of the state, and their wives to the > > protection of > > > their relations. They were supported at the public expense, and > > spent their > > > time in contemplation, in conversation on divine subjects , or in > > acts of > > > religion. A wonder circumstance is related concerning these > > philosophers; > > > that frequently, without any apparent reason from ill health or > > misfortune, > > > they formed a resolution to quit the world, and, when they had > > communicated > > > their intention to their friends, immediately, without any > > expressions of > > > regret on the one side or of apprehension on the other , threw > > themselves > > > into a fire which they had themselves prepared for the occasion. > > There was > > > another sect called Hylobeons, who lives entirely in forests, upon > > leaves > > > and wild fruits, wore no other clothing than the bark of trees, and > > > practiced the severest abstinence of every kind. > > > > > > > > > > > > From this account of the Indian Gymnosophists, it is easy to > > perceive that > > > they were more distinguished by severity of manners than by the > > cultivation > > > of science, and that they more resembled modern monks than ancient > > > philosophers. > > > > > > > > > > > > In a conference which was held with Onesicritus, Calanus, when he > > saw > > > Alexander's messengers clothed with fine linen garments, and > > elegantly > > > adorned, laughed at their effeminacy , and requested them, if they > > wished to > > > hold any conference with Brahcmans, to lay aside their ornaments, > > and like > > > them recline upon ht naked rocks. It is also related , that when he > > found > > > the infirmities of age coming upon him, he devoted himself to > > voluntary > > > death, and ascending the funeral pile, said " Happy hour of > > departure from > > > life, in which , as it happened to Hercules, after the mortal body > > is > > > burned, the soul shall go forth into light! " > > > > > > > > > From Wisdom, Wit, and Whims of Distinguished Ancient Philosophers > > > > > > http://books.google.co.in/books? > > id=7xty6sBNRK4C & pg=PA89 & lpg=PA89 & dq=calanus+ & source=web & ots=qEQ5WjSe2p > > & sig=dK44FF7dPZ__S_BCOw8inHoBtYs & hl=en & sa=X & oi=book_result & resnum=8 & ct > > =result#PPA90,M1 > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 We are all aware of the lesson given by an old woman to Chanakya in how to attack a strong enemy. When canakya was eager to eat hot rice, he grabs the center portion of the heap of food and burns his fingers. The old woman reprimands him to say that he should eat it from the edges and not from center. This gives him the realization a powerful enemy like Nanda should be attacked in the borders of his kingdom and not center. But so far as governance is concerned, it should be done from center and not from edges. Plutarch goes on to say that it is Calanus (whose real name is Sphines but since he greeted everybody with a word 'cale' he was called calanus by Greeks) who has given this message to Alexander. 'He is said to have shown Alexander an instructive emblem of government, which was this. He threw a dry shriveled hide upon the ground, and trod upon the edges of it. The skin when it was pressed in one place, still rose up in another, wheresoever he trod round about it, till he set his foot in the middle, which made all the parts lie even and quiet. The meaning of this similitude being that he ought to reside most in the middle of his empire, and not spend too much time on the borders of it. " (p 235 , http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/Plutarch/Plutarchs-Lives-2.pdf) Kishore patnaik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 Thank you KishorBhau for this very interesting historical article. On 7/3/08, Kishore patnaik <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: We are all aware of the lesson given by an old woman to Chanakya inhow to attack a strong enemy. When canakya was eager to eat hot rice, he grabs the center portion ofthe heap of food and burns his fingers. The old woman reprimands him to say that he should eat it from the edges and not from center. This gives him the realization a powerful enemy like Nanda should beattacked in the borders of his kingdom and not center. But so far as governance is concerned, it should be done from center and not from edges. Plutarch goes on to say that it is Calanus (whose real name is Sphinesbut since he greeted everybody with a word 'cale' he was calledcalanus by Greeks) who has given this message to Alexander. 'He is said to have shown Alexander an instructive emblemof government, which was this. He threw a dry shriveledhide upon the ground, and trod upon the edges of it. Theskin when it was pressed in one place, still rose up in another, wheresoever he trod round about it, till he set his footin the middle, which made all the parts lie even and quiet.The meaning of this similitude being that he ought to residemost in the middle of his empire, and not spend too much time on the borders of it. " (p 235 ,http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/Plutarch/Plutarchs-Lives-2.pdf) Kishore patnaik -- Bhalchandra G. ThatteyShubham BhavatuSvalpasya Yogasya Trayate Mahato Bhayat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 My pleasure. I spend long hours studying and catching these things on the net. I only hope others pitch in to supplement. best regards, Kishore patnaik On Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 10:27 AM, Bhalchandra Thattey <bgthattey wrote: Thank you KishorBhau for this very interesting historical article. On 7/3/08, Kishore patnaik <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: We are all aware of the lesson given by an old woman to Chanakya inhow to attack a strong enemy. When canakya was eager to eat hot rice, he grabs the center portion ofthe heap of food and burns his fingers. The old woman reprimands him to say that he should eat it from the edges and not from center. This gives him the realization a powerful enemy like Nanda should beattacked in the borders of his kingdom and not center. But so far as governance is concerned, it should be done from center and not from edges. Plutarch goes on to say that it is Calanus (whose real name is Sphinesbut since he greeted everybody with a word 'cale' he was calledcalanus by Greeks) who has given this message to Alexander. 'He is said to have shown Alexander an instructive emblemof government, which was this. He threw a dry shriveledhide upon the ground, and trod upon the edges of it. Theskin when it was pressed in one place, still rose up in another, wheresoever he trod round about it, till he set his footin the middle, which made all the parts lie even and quiet.The meaning of this similitude being that he ought to residemost in the middle of his empire, and not spend too much time on the borders of it. " (p 235 ,http://www2.hn.psu.edu/faculty/jmanis/Plutarch/Plutarchs-Lives-2.pdf) Kishore patnaik -- Bhalchandra G. ThatteyShubham BhavatuSvalpasya Yogasya Trayate Mahato Bhayat -- Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.~:~ Mother Theresa ~:~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 There is a reason why I said that. I thought of doing more research before I would post this but I had to go on official duty today to attend court evidence today. So, here I go. I hope to post more afterI do some print research. One clear indication of Sphines is stha pani, a hand held in posture, this indicates a Jain monk. The other and perhaps more correct meaning is spanuha , an apabhramsa of Sthanu. The word sthanu also indicates Jain monk, more suitable in view of the story that he attained the resistance to sit immobile for hours together- the final proof of that being able to sit still when flames were engulfing his body. This is made more interesting that the death of Canakya too constructed in the same way and it is told in the Jain tradition. /message/23Hope to hear from the group, Kishore patnaik On Thu, Jul 3, 2008 at 9:04 AM, ymalaiya <ymalaiya wrote: , " Kishore patnaik " <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: > > Shramana need not be a Buddhist monk. > > Kishore patnaik Yes, that is right. A Shramana can be any one of Buddhist, Jain or Ajivika monk. Of them, the Jain ( " Nirgrantha " ) and Ajivika monks did not wear clothes. Yashwant > , " ymalaiya " <ymalaiya@> wrote: > > > > Note that Gymno = naked sophist= philosopher. > > > > Samanean must be Shramana. > > > > Yashwant > > > > , " kishore patnaik " > > <kishorepatnaik09@> wrote: > > > > > > Calanus was of the sect of Gymnosophists, called Brachman. The > > Brachmans > > > were all of one tribe. From the time of their birth, they were put > > under > > > guardians and, as they grew up, had a succession of instructors. > > They were > > > in a state of pupilage til thirty six years of age; after which > > they were > > > allowed to live more at large, to wear fine linen and gold rings, > > to live > > > upon the flesh of animals not employed in labor, and to marry as > > many as > > > wives as they pleased. Others submitted, through their whole lives, > > to > > > stricter discipline, and passes their days upon the banks of the > > Ganges, > > > with no other food than fruits , herbs and milk. The Samaneans were > > a > > > society formed of those who voluntarily devoted themselves to the > > study of > > > divine wisdom/. They gave up all private property, and committed > > their > > > children to the cure of the state, and their wives to the > > protection of > > > their relations. They were supported at the public expense, and > > spent their > > > time in contemplation, in conversation on divine subjects , or in > > acts of > > > religion. A wonder circumstance is related concerning these > > philosophers; > > > that frequently, without any apparent reason from ill health or > > misfortune, > > > they formed a resolution to quit the world, and, when they had > > communicated > > > their intention to their friends, immediately, without any > > expressions of > > > regret on the one side or of apprehension on the other , threw > > themselves > > > into a fire which they had themselves prepared for the occasion. > > There was > > > another sect called Hylobeons, who lives entirely in forests, upon > > leaves > > > and wild fruits, wore no other clothing than the bark of trees, and > > > practiced the severest abstinence of every kind. > > > > > > > > > > > > From this account of the Indian Gymnosophists, it is easy to > > perceive that > > > they were more distinguished by severity of manners than by the > > cultivation > > > of science, and that they more resembled modern monks than ancient > > > philosophers. > > > > > > > > > > > > In a conference which was held with Onesicritus, Calanus, when he > > saw > > > Alexander's messengers clothed with fine linen garments, and > > elegantly > > > adorned, laughed at their effeminacy , and requested them, if they > > wished to > > > hold any conference with Brahcmans, to lay aside their ornaments, > > and like > > > them recline upon ht naked rocks. It is also related , that when he > > found > > > the infirmities of age coming upon him, he devoted himself to > > voluntary > > > death, and ascending the funeral pile, said " Happy hour of > > departure from > > > life, in which , as it happened to Hercules, after the mortal body > > is > > > burned, the soul shall go forth into light! " > > > > > > > > > From Wisdom, Wit, and Whims of Distinguished Ancient Philosophers > > > > > > http://books.google.co.in/books? > > id=7xty6sBNRK4C & pg=PA89 & lpg=PA89 & dq=calanus+ & source=web & ots=qEQ5WjSe2p > > & sig=dK44FF7dPZ__S_BCOw8inHoBtYs & hl=en & sa=X & oi=book_result & resnum=8 & ct > > =result#PPA90,M1 > > > > > > -- Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.~:~ Mother Theresa ~:~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 3, 2008 Report Share Posted July 3, 2008 You can also refer this message (originally by you but I have forwarded it to AI) /message/24Kishore patnaik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 SEE JAGANNATH'S RATH YATRA IN NY ? http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/jun/16slide.htm DEEPAK  Advertisement Help You are here: Rediff Home » India » News » Photos Search: Rediff.com The Web Email this Page | Write to us Lord Jagannath's Rath Yatra in New York 1 2 3 4 5 Photographs: Paresh Gandhi © 2008 Rediff.com India Limited. .Disclaimer | Feedback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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