Bessos was Dhana Nanda
Posted: Fri Feb 14, 2003 9:42 pm
Dear Nick,During Alexander's invasion, the Satrap of Bactria under Darius-III was Bessos, leader of the Bactrians and Indians at Gaugamela who fought valiantly. Curiously the Indian texts seem to have no recollection of this leader of Indians which shows that he had a different Indian name. As 'Vasuh` or 'Vasus' in Sanskrit means `wealth' or `Dhana', Bessos appears to be Dhana Nanda of the Indian texts. Darius-III, who is called Arta-Sata in the Babylonian texts appears to be Sarvarthasiddhi of the Mudrarakshasa. Sarva was the name of a God. I am greatly perplexed by the name as it was a name of Gotama Buddha. Does this mean he was closer to Hellenism-Buddhism?With best regards,Ranajit Pal