Limitless Hopes, Unfulfilled Dreams

Maqbool Fida Husain (1915-2011) wasn’t able to complete his formal education. But with his hard work and natural talent he earned a big name for himself as a painter. He rose to fame when during an exhibition at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, a foreign company bought a painting of his for 500,000 rupees. After this, he began being hailed as one of India’s best artists.

Once—this was when he was around 75 years old—somebody asked Mr. Husain if there was anything that he was afraid of. Mr. Husain answered in the negative, but added that at times there was a strange sadness—that just when he had “got a grip” on painting, when he had “begun to grasp its mystery”, it was “time to pack up”. “There is so much I can still paint. I am still so full”, he added.

This is precisely the story of almost every person in the world. We come into this world with limitless hopes. We work hard day and night to try to fulfil our dreams. Yet, many of our desires remain unfulfilled and then the moment of our death arrives. No matter how ‘big’ or ‘small’ they may be, most people die with many unfulfilled desires.

There is precious learning lesson in this for us—that this world is only a world for effort, not for receiving all the fruits of our efforts.