Page:History of India Vol 9.djvu/95

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THE HINDU EMBASSY TO AUGUSTUS CÆSAR
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tortoise of three cubits in length, and a partridge larger than a vulture. The ambassadors were accompanied by the person, it is said, who burnt himself to death at Athens. This is the practice with persons in distress, who seek escape from existing calamities, and with others in prosperous circumstances, as was the case with this man. For as everything hitherto had succeeded with him, he thought it necessary to depart, lest some unexpected calamity should happen to him by continuing to live; with a smile, therefore, naked, anointed, and with his girdle round his waist, he leaped upon the pyre. On his tomb was this inscription, – Here lies Zarmanochegas,[1] an Indian, a native of Bargose,[2] having immortalized himself according to the custom of his country.'

  1. ↑ In Dio Cassius, 54. 9, he is called Zarmanos, a variation probably of Sarmanos or Garmanos.
  2. ↑ Bargosa is a corruption of Barygaza mentioned in Arrian's Periplus of the Red Sea – the Sanskrit Bhrigukaccha, the Modern Broach.
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