74. Where does achievement lead?

• What Einstein got was an achievement. What Alexander got was also an achievement.

What Buddha got was also an achievement.

All the three achieved what was possible by them in their chosen fields.

• Einstein achieved in the field of knowledge. Alexander achieved in the field of power.

Buddha achieved in the field of life.

• Einstein, Alexander and the Buddha all the three touched the zenith of fame. They were praised by society.
• All these three wandered in search of some thing.

All the three achieved various things.

• Did all the three get what they actually searched for?
• Did they get the satisfaction?

What a man has truly achieved can be clearly seen by him only in his last days, that is, when the period of time comes, when it can be said, that there is nothing more left to be achieved, or there is no more time or energy left to achieve.

How all the three of them felt about their own achievements and after the achievement, how they looked at it, can be known through their last words.

Last words of all the three...

• Einstein During his last days his friend asked him, 'If you are given another chance to live in this world, what would you like to do?' Everyone was eagerly awaiting Einstein's reply thinking that it may be another achievement in science. But to everyone's surprise Einstein said, 'I would like to become a plumber.' His friend exclaimed, 'What are you saying? A plumber?'

Einstein said, 'Yes, I wanted to become a plumber in this lifetime. Unexpectedly I became a scientist. I worked hard to the maximum possible extent. I have touched the zenith of knowledge and fame. But I don't have the full satisfaction of having lived my life. Therefore, if I get another chance to live in this world, I will live the life of a plumber only.'

• Alexander during his dying moments, calls his commander and said, 'After my death, in the coffin box in which you will carry my corpse, make two holes on either sides and let my hands out through those two holes, so my empty hands can be seen outside.' The commander could not understand as to why Alexander said so.

The commander was confused.

Then Alexander continued, 'Let the people of the world know, after seeing my bare and empty hands that Alexander, who captured a major portion of the world, did not bring anything when he came into this world and did not take anything with him when he left the world. However much I achieved what remained with me are only empty hands. I am leaving the world with empty hands. Let humanity understand this and correct itself.'

• The Buddha had announced earlier itself that he was going away leaving the body. He prepared to leave his body in a very ordinary manner, and without any sort of agitation, sorrow or craving, with a smile on his face, devoid of any mental agitation and with a peaceful mind which had clear understanding. He was about to leave his body with satisfaction and contentment and without any sort of worry or desire. Buddha had begun to separate himself from the body.

At that moment, a devotee called out, 'Oh! Buddha, Buddha.'

The devotee asked, 'Oh Buddha, so far you have remained and replied to all our problems. Now you are going to leave us. Hereafter who is going to guide and lead us? Who is going to give solutions to all our problems...?' He asked this sorrowfully.

Buddha once again came to the conscious state and very calmly taught a meditation technique.

That only is 'Vipassana meditation' which consists of watching one's own breath. Saying, 'This will be of great help to you', Buddha left his body slowly.