Alexander the Great seeks the Fountain of Eternal Life in his long and famed quest from Macedonia to India
During his quest, Alexander the Great was travelling in a mysterious Land of Darkness where he was given a special companion and guide called Khezr. The companion was carrying a basket of provisions to sustain the long journey across this unknown dark land. He was walking ahead of Alexander on a rocky terrain when he stumbled upon a rock and spilled the basket. Two dry salted fish which he carried in the basket fell on the ground and instantly a fountain of water sprung from the ground. The fish became alive in this pond of water.
When Khezr saw his fish resurrect in these miraculous waters, he bathed therein and so received the gift of Eternal Life. Ever since that day, the immortal Khezr has guarded the Fountain of Life and the Mighty King Alexander had no option but to resign himself to inevitable death.
It is since believed that spring arrives when Khezr walks on the earth and green grass spurs under his feet as he passes by, and wherever his stick touches, water springs from the ground in abundance.
In Sufi philosophy, Khezr represents human beings’ inner potential to attain spiritual immortality even in the lower world of Death and Darkness. In the cave illustrated below, Khezr discusses with Alexander the question of terrestrial human mortality and the inner esoteric meaning of the Fountain of Eternal Life. His brown outer robe symbolizes the mortal human garb. It disguises his green inner robe which symbolizes the immortal soul.
After his meeting with Khezr, Alexander gives up on the Fountain of Eternal Life and continues his march to China. On the way, he builds the walls of Ya’juj and Ma’juj (Gog and Magog). After a legendary contest between the Chinese and Greek painters, the ruler of China submits to Alexander. The word has it that on his final return to Greece, he died in Babylon and is buried in Alexandria, Egypt.
Duygu Bruce
The story of Alexander and Khezr is the simplified excerpt of the story cited in Farîd-od-Dîn ‘Attâr (1146-1221). The Canticle of the Birds. Translated from the Persian by Afkham Darbandi and Dick Davis. Paris: Diane de Selliers, Éditeur, 2013. p.110. His adventures in China and his return are cited in the Book of Romances of Alexander.
