In the world history, “ALEXANDER THE GREAT” was a very notable king of Greek. His ambitions and hopes were always focused on expanding his power and regime by covering almost all countries of Asia.
His troops and commanders were very large in numbers. The victories followed one after another. All the routes and ways, up to India were known perfectly by his Commanders. The annexing of the countries and enlarging his kingdom for several thousands miles were done with great efforts. There was a stage when Alexander was capturing the position of emperor of the world.
On his way, after reaching the Indian Territory, the great king happened to witness a scene. There was a man, with long beard sitting under a tree and meditating who looked just like a Fakir. Fakirs were the persons inland, like Afghanistan with long beard. As Alexander went closer, wondered to see this man with no cloths. But, the king’s presence was not noticed by that Fakir. Since Alexander crossed all the lands and met several people, he just considered that man as Fakir. But, he was actually a sage who do penance, which is an art of worshipping the Almighty by meditation. In those days the ‘sages’ did such penance by closing eyes for months and years together. They needed no food and they would continue their meditation in a fixed position for such prolonged periods.
Since the King was unnoticed and not shown any sign of respect, Alexander got very angry. The sage did not even open his eyes as his concentration was on meditation. King Alexander got wild and took his sword.
Oh! No! The king just cut the beard of the sage. But, there was no response from the sage. The soldiers and commanders were also witnessing the event. King then turned violent to kill the sage. The sharp edge of the sword was aimed to set in between the eye brows of the sage.
Slowly the sage opened his eyes and began to speak. “Oh, King Alexander, I know you are a valiant and a great warrior. Why should you interfere in my duties?”
Astonishingly, the King calmed down from his temper and asked the sage, “All the people from all countries are welcoming and bow down their heads in respect. Why are you, the only person to disobey the situation?”
Sage smiled and told “Only for the Almighty, the God, I use to bow and pray. Even though you are a king, you are just a man like me. So, I need no commitment to bow”. Sage added further “Your days are counted, when you go back to home after these victories, the death will occur. Bear it in your mind”.
King did not want to continue any conversation with the sage and went on to attend his duty. Later, Alexander won several other battles and was returning to his country. In the midway he fell ill and was suffering. The circumstance was very crucial and helpless. He was not able to get any good medicines. King then called the commander-in-chief and explained to him. “Commander, the man I thought was fakir, whom I spoke in India; I think he is more than a Sage. Do you remember the incident?”
“Yes my lord!! It was like a miracle on that day” replied the Commander. “Indians are actually very skilled. We under estimated their efficiencies of good men. Now, I feel that day has come to me.” King cried.
“No your lordship, you will live a long life” a reply came. The deeply sorrowed King with no energy said, “My savings, wealth, all gold, lands and diamonds, which are secured through the war, nothing could now be helpful as suitable as medicine for me”.
The great King, who conquered most of the world, died and left this world. The Sage’s words came true. His experience is a great example for all of us to realize that power, position and ego exercised against the nature, can sabotage anybody’s life and consciousness in a negative way.
Quote: Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it
His troops and commanders were very large in numbers. The victories followed one after another. All the routes and ways, up to India were known perfectly by his Commanders. The annexing of the countries and enlarging his kingdom for several thousands miles were done with great efforts. There was a stage when Alexander was capturing the position of emperor of the world.
On his way, after reaching the Indian Territory, the great king happened to witness a scene. There was a man, with long beard sitting under a tree and meditating who looked just like a Fakir. Fakirs were the persons inland, like Afghanistan with long beard. As Alexander went closer, wondered to see this man with no cloths. But, the king’s presence was not noticed by that Fakir. Since Alexander crossed all the lands and met several people, he just considered that man as Fakir. But, he was actually a sage who do penance, which is an art of worshipping the Almighty by meditation. In those days the ‘sages’ did such penance by closing eyes for months and years together. They needed no food and they would continue their meditation in a fixed position for such prolonged periods.
Since the King was unnoticed and not shown any sign of respect, Alexander got very angry. The sage did not even open his eyes as his concentration was on meditation. King Alexander got wild and took his sword.
Oh! No! The king just cut the beard of the sage. But, there was no response from the sage. The soldiers and commanders were also witnessing the event. King then turned violent to kill the sage. The sharp edge of the sword was aimed to set in between the eye brows of the sage.
Slowly the sage opened his eyes and began to speak. “Oh, King Alexander, I know you are a valiant and a great warrior. Why should you interfere in my duties?”
Astonishingly, the King calmed down from his temper and asked the sage, “All the people from all countries are welcoming and bow down their heads in respect. Why are you, the only person to disobey the situation?”
Sage smiled and told “Only for the Almighty, the God, I use to bow and pray. Even though you are a king, you are just a man like me. So, I need no commitment to bow”. Sage added further “Your days are counted, when you go back to home after these victories, the death will occur. Bear it in your mind”.
King did not want to continue any conversation with the sage and went on to attend his duty. Later, Alexander won several other battles and was returning to his country. In the midway he fell ill and was suffering. The circumstance was very crucial and helpless. He was not able to get any good medicines. King then called the commander-in-chief and explained to him. “Commander, the man I thought was fakir, whom I spoke in India; I think he is more than a Sage. Do you remember the incident?”
“Yes my lord!! It was like a miracle on that day” replied the Commander. “Indians are actually very skilled. We under estimated their efficiencies of good men. Now, I feel that day has come to me.” King cried.
“No your lordship, you will live a long life” a reply came. The deeply sorrowed King with no energy said, “My savings, wealth, all gold, lands and diamonds, which are secured through the war, nothing could now be helpful as suitable as medicine for me”.
The great King, who conquered most of the world, died and left this world. The Sage’s words came true. His experience is a great example for all of us to realize that power, position and ego exercised against the nature, can sabotage anybody’s life and consciousness in a negative way.
Quote: Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it
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