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Alexander the Great became one of the biggest rulers of ancient history. He conquered most of the world of that time just at the age of 32. Although being the king of ancient Macedonia for less than 13 years, he changed the course of history. He was one of the greatest military generals who stretched his empire all the way from India, through Egypt up to the northern border of Greece. He was taught by one of the greatest philosophers of all time, Aristotle. This might have helped him have fundamental traits of an ambitious commander and a successful leader. He was not an ordinary man as he never lost a single battle in his entire life. His ability to plan and strategize on large scale helped him win many battles even when his army was outnumbered. He motivated his army to be part of the greatest conquest in history. He was charming, inspiring, and courageous.

After conquering hundreds of kingdoms, Alexander was heading back home. On his way back, he fell seriously ill. While lying on his deathbed, he realized that nothing was worth it even after living a successful life conquering most of the known world.The final days of Alexander on his deathbed offer a moral lesson for all of us. He wanted to go home and meet his mother before his soul departed from this world. But, he knew he would not last that long. Therefore, he called upon his loyal generals and told, “I will depart from this world soon, I have three wishes, please carry them out without fail.”

The king asked his generals to fulfill his following three wishes: (1) My physicians must carry my body alone. (2) I want the path leading to my grave to be strewn with gold, silver, and precious stones that are in my treasury while my body is being carried to be buried. (3) My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin.

The generals who gathered there wondered at the king’s wishes. But no one dared to question him. But one of his favorite generals kissed on his hand and said, “My majesty! We promise you that all of your wishes will be fulfilled. But, will you tell us why do you have such strange wishes?”

“I want everybody to learn the three lessons that I have learned in my life, ” Alexander replied after taking a deep breath. Alexander explained why he had these 3 strange wishes in the following way:

(1) “I want my physicians to carry my body alone because I want people to know that no doctor can cure people’s illnesses, especially when they face death. No physician or doctor is as powerful to save people from the clutch of death. So, don’t let people take life for granted.”

(2) “I want the path leading to my grave to be strewn with gold, silver, and precious stones while my body is being carried to be buried because I want people to know that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent my whole life chasing power and wealth. Whatever earned in the earth remains here. I want people to realize that it is a complete waste of your life and time to run after wealth and power.”

(3) “I want my both hands to keep dangling out of my coffin because I want people to know that we came empty-handed in this world and we will go empty-handed.”

The king’s final words were, “When you bury my body, don’t build any momentum and keep my hands outside so that the world knows that the person who won the whole world had nothing in his hand while dying.” With these powerful words, the king closed his eyes and let death conquer him.

The future is already set. Therefore (tasmāt), Arjuna should get up (tvam uttiṣṭha), and win glory (yaśo labhasva). Conquering the enemies (jitvā śatrūn), he should prepare to enjoy (bhuṅkṣva) a flourishing kingdom (rājyaṁ samṛddham). All these soldiers (ete) have already been (pūrvam eva) put to death (nihatāḥ) by Krishna alone (mayaiva). Arjuna should simply become but an instrument (nimitta-mātraṁ bhava) in Krishna’s hands. (BG 11.33) Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Jayadratha (droṇaṁ ca bhīṣmaṁ ca jayadrathaṁ ca), Karṇa, and the other great warriors (karṇaṁ tathānyān api yodha-vīrān) have already been destroyed by Krishna (mayā hatāṁs). Therefore, Arjuna should not waver (mā vyathiṣṭhā) and simply become an instrument to destroy them (tvaṁ jahi). He should just fight (yudhyasva) and conquer the enemies in battle (jetāsi raṇe sapatnān). (BG 11.34)