Reflections on Life and Death

An expert doctor was in constant attendance on him. The doctor was paid a huge salary of ten thousand gold crowns every month. But all of this could not save the Emperor from old age and from growing infirm. Towards the end of his life, he became so weak that he could hardly lift anything to put into his mouth! Despite this, his desire to live turned into a terrible obsession. One day, someone told the Emperor that certain seaturtles lived till around 500 years and that they could help prolong human life. So, the Emperor dispatched some men to bring some of these creatures for him. The turtles were kept in a pond near his chambers in the hope that this would help him live longer! Finally, Louis XI fell prey to paralysis and death overtook him. Thus he learned, at last, that no one can win over death. When he lay dying, his last words were: I am not as ill as you think I am. All his efforts to evade death failed. And on 30th August 1483, he died.

From Riches to Ashes Ghanshyam Das Birla (1894-1983) was a famous Indian industrialist. He started his career at the age of 18, beginning with a small business. His business