Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/91

 HINDU FESTIVAL PROCESSIONS 63 dure pain strangle themselves; and those of ardent tempers throw themselves into the fire. Of this last description was Kalanos, who had no control over him- self and was a slave to the table of Alexander. Kala- nos is censured, while Mandanis is applauded. When Alexander's messengers invited the latter to come to the son of Zeus, promising a reward if he would comply, and threatening punishment if he refused, he answered, " Alexander was not the son of Zeus, for he did not govern even the smallest portion of the earth; nor did be himself desire a gift from one who was satisfied with nothing. Neither did he fear his threats, for as long as he lived India would supply him with food enough, and when he died, he should be delivered from the flesh wasted by old age and be translated to a better and purer state of existence." Alexander commended and pardoned him. Historians also relate that the Indians worship Zeus Ombrios (" the Kainy "), the river Ganges, and the local divinities of the country; that when the king washes his hair, 1 a great feast is celebrated, and large presents are sent, each person displaying his wealth in competition with his neighbour. They say that some of the gold-digging myrmekes (ants) have wings, and that the rivers, like those of Iberia, bring down gold-dust. In processions at their festivals, many elephants are in the train, adorned with gold and silver, numer- ous carriages drawn by four horses and by several pairs
 * On his birthday, Herodotus, 9. 110.