“We shall meet in Babylon”

Hindu Rishi who prophesied Alexander The Great’s Death

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Kalanos also called as Kalyana Rishi(c. 398 – 323 BCE) was a Hindu Sage, through him Alexander came to know of gymnosophists or naked philosophers in India.

Kalyana Rishi accompanied Alexander the Great to Persis and When the Persian weather/travel had weakened him, he informed Alexander that he would rather like to die than live as an invalid. He decided to take his life by self-immolation, a Hindu practice.Although Alexander tried to dissuade him from this course of action, upon Kalanos’ insistence the job of building a pyre was entrusted to Ptolemy.

Kalanos distributed all the costly gifts he got from the king to the people and wore just a garland of flowers and chanted Indian hymns.He presented his horse to one of his Greek pupils named Lysimachus.He did not flinch as he burnt to the astonishment of those who watched.

Although Alexander was not personally present at time of his immolation, his last words to Alexander were We shall meet in Babylon.He is said to have prophesied the death of Alexander in Babylon, even though at the time of death of Kalanos, Alexander did not have any plans to go to Babylon.