Kalanos

Kalanos Biography

Kalanos was a Hindu sage from Punjab who lived in between the period, c. 398 - 323 BCE. He is best known to accompany Alexander the Great to Persis (Fars Province) and later committed suicide by self-immolation at the age of 73 due to bad health condition. Kalanos lived as a teacher to Alexander. It is from Kalanos, Alexander came to know about Dandamis – a Brahmin, philosopher, Swami and a gymnosophist, and encountered in the woods near Taxila. Kalanos’ real name is Swami Sphines. He was a gymnosophist of Taxila and he made great progress in Philosophy and the study of nature.

In April 326, the Macedonian king Alexander the Great reached Taxila, the capital of Indian kingdom in the Punjab. As per some records, both Alexander and his officers had encounters with Indian sagas at that period. As per a biography of Alexander, he personally interviewed the sages. Kalonas’ actual name was Swami Sphines and it’s often related to Greek word "Kale". It’s also believed that his name derived from "Kalyana” or "Kalyanamastu", and all these three words literally mean ‘Greeting’. He lived a saint life in Taxila.

When he met Emperor Alexander, he refused to accept his expensive gifts and even demanded the emperor to strip himself and hear what he said naked. Alexander was attracted by the criticism on Greek Philosophy by Kalanos and that’s how he persuaded Kalanos to accompany him to Persis and stay there as a yogi and his guru. Kalanos lived as a teacher to Alexander till his death. It was his decision to end his life by self-immolation when new climatic conditions weakened his physical condition and health.

Though Alexander was not present during his self-immolation, his last words became a legend - We shall meet in Babylon. Incidentally this great emperor died at Babylon though he didn’t have any future plans to go to Babylon then.  A letter written by Kalanos to Alexander is preserved by Philo Judaeus.

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Updated: July 21, 2014