The Final Philosophy of the Veda 283
of the Maurya dynasty, the largest empire known up to that time in India. Megasthenes wrote a work called Iodine which contains much important in»- formation about the India of his day. He tells that these aseetics were indifferent: to the good or evil that happens to man; that all being, in their opinion, is dreamlike illusion; that they regard the world as created and perishable; and believe that God who has created it pervades it completely. Considering the source, this is an uncommonly good description of the pessimistic pantheism of the Upanishads. Alexander the Great himself was much impressed with these “Sages of the Forest.” He sent one Onesiltritos to talk with them”. After having been laughed at by the ascetics for his full dress of mantle, hat, and boots, and told to lie naked upon the stones if he would learn from them, he was finally initiated into the Hindu idea, to wit, that the best doctrine is that which removes not only sorrow but also joy from the soul of man.
Professor Huxley in his Evolution and EZ/az‘c: (p. 65) has subjected the Hindu ideal to severe criticism. According to him the smmrmm $5072er of the Hindu is a state of impassive quasiasomnambulism which but for its acknowledged holiness might run the risk of being confounded with idiocy. It leads to the abandonment of property, social ties, family
