“The father of numbers,” the first Philosopher, Yavancharya the “Ionian Teacher,” That Man. Many names exist for the ancient master, Pythagoras. It is said that he served many masters throughout his time; perhaps he acquired the names there. Or maybe his many titles come from his loyal disciples, who dared not call him by his true name. The great teacher Pythagoras needs no introduction even in the present century, though his life of approximately ninety four years was wickedly extinguished in about 475 BC.
Like so many other masters of our time, Pythagoras’ birth is said to have been prophesized. Mnesarchus and Parthenis, the parents of Pythagoras visited the oracle of Delphi, who predicted the conception of a son according to “The Secret Teachings of All Ages” by Manly P. Hall. This child was destined to surpass all people in wisdom and beauty. Mnesarchus was so moved by this that he changed the name of his wife to Pythasis, to honor the oracle. He was born in Sidon, not far from Bethlehem, and he was called Pythagoras.
He was familiar with esoteric wisdom. He studied in Egypt, Babylon, Syria, India, and knew the teachings of the Orientals. He learned the mysteries of Moses, Isis, the Hindu’s, and the Magoi. He served many others, the masters of the master including Thales of Miletus and Pherekydes who were described as teachers.
He traversed the world, sometimes not so placidly, gathering the knowledge of all who had it and when he felt that he had gathered all he could, he founded a school called the semicircle in Crotona, Italy. Physics, Mathematics, Music and Astronomythe cornerstones of all art and science were taught at his university so that not only would he learn from the brightest, but he would influence the future. There he developed disciples of the ancient mystery teachings, one of whom he would marry called Theano. History tells of a remarkable and inspiring woman, who had much knowledge of her own to contribute to the school. She was a teacher there, and her writings though since lost were said to have particular importance attributed to the golden mean, or the golden ratio.
As we all know too well, a lot of knowledge is feared within people and communities and no exception was made for Pythagoras. Someone came to be initiated into his school and was turned away; bitter feelings caused this person to turn the minds of the townsmen against Pythagoras. History says that an angry mob murdered the philosopher. They burned the school and his house, killing the man along with most of his disciples. His wife and daughters ran the school in his absence.
The master of mathematics, a universal language, the name Pythagoras itself is said to have a secret formula hidden among its letters. He likely valued secrecy, knowing how dangerous the knowledge can be; so what other secrets could he have taken with him in the flames? Some said that he himself was a prophet of great accuracy. Others would say that he bore the golden thigh, meaning the touch of the divine. He believed that the planets and stars were true beings of wisdom, whose bodies held souls and minds.
Skeptics would say that he was a grandfather of modern geometry at the very least. Some claim he possessed the power to manipulate space and time, traversing distance with ease.
What ever may be true about Pythagoras, I think this is clear. The man was wise and true, in heart and mind and soulthat is not something that is common among geniuses. Not only was he fluent in the complexities of mathematics and science in a time where little was apparently known of our environment, but compassion and love were among with attributed characteristics. He treated all equally, valuing knowledge and friendship over all discrimination. His name will live forever as it has, along with his philosophies and in another two thousand years, Pythagoras may likely still need no introduction.
Quote: “We must avoid with our utmost endeavor, and amputate with fire and sword, and by all other means, from the body, sickness; from the soul, ignorance; from the belly, luxury; from a city, sedition; from a family, discord; and from all things, excess.”
-Pythagoras
