kamesh
07-01-2006, 04:56 AM
There is very instructive incident involving the life of Alexander,
the great Greek king.
Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the
way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring
him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great
army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence.
He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his
last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health
would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland. So,
The mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to
breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart
from this world soon,
I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears
flowing down
Their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last
wishes.
" My first desire is that," said Alexander, " My physicians alone
must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, " Secondly,
I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path
leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious
stones which I have collected in my treasury.
" The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest
and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept
dangling out of my coffin ."
The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange
wishes. But no one dare bring the question to their lips. Alexander's
favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. " O
king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled.
But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"
At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: " I would like the
world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my
physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no
doctor can really cure any body .
They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of
death. So let not people take life for granted .
The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way
to the graveyard is to tell
People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent
all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let
people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth .
And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the
coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this
world and empty handed I go out of this world ."
With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer
him and breathed his last.....
the great Greek king.
Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the
way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed. With death staring
him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great
army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence.
He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his
last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health
would not permit Him to reach his distant homeland. So,
The mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to
breathe his last. He called his generals and said, "I will depart
from this world soon,
I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail." With tears
flowing down
Their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last
wishes.
" My first desire is that," said Alexander, " My physicians alone
must carry my coffin." After a pause, he continued, " Secondly,
I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path
leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious
stones which I have collected in my treasury.
" The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest
and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept
dangling out of my coffin ."
The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange
wishes. But no one dare bring the question to their lips. Alexander's
favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. " O
king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled.
But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"
At this Alexander took a deep breath and said: " I would like the
world to know of the three lessons I have just learnt. I want my
physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no
doctor can really cure any body .
They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of
death. So let not people take life for granted .
The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way
to the graveyard is to tell
People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent
all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let
people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth .
And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the
coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty handed into this
world and empty handed I go out of this world ."
With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer
him and breathed his last.....