Ambition Versus Achievement
By
Karmayogi
‘‘I wish to become the
No. 1 cardiac surgeon in India. Is it a permissible idealism?'' is
a question in the mind of a precocious young aspirant. It looks like a great
aim. At the same time, in a society where ambition is frowned upon, it appears
unpardonable. For one in that field there can be no greater accomplishment if
he achieves it. It is doubly so when it is achieved without ambition. Ambition
and greed are vices; aspiration, progress and endeavour are admirable. Certainly
discrimination is valuable. S. Radhakrishnan, coming from ordinary
circumstances, caught the eye of Sir Ashtosh Mukerjee, became Kamala Professor
at Calcutta, was sent to England where he became a Fellow at Oxford. He rose to
the Presidentship in India. It is a remarkable achievement. There are great
names in every profession, such as Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer in Law, Sir A.
Lakshmanaswamy Mudaliar in Education, B.C.Roy in medical practice, etc. All
these people worked hard and achieved. It is clear that accomplishment is
highly desirable. It is equally clear that ambition is undesirable. The doubt
that is a festering sore in us arises because one goes with the other. When we
discourage ambition in us, we lose enthusiasm and our achievements are dwarfed.
Is there a way of doing the right thing and avoiding the wrong motive? Taking
complete interest in the subject and losing oneself in it will wean us away
from ambitious motives. It will work for some time. After some time, ambition
will rear its head. At such a juncture KNOWLEDGE helps immensely. One must
think about this situation. Such a person will realise that 1. Ambition is
ruinous, 2. Achievement is eminently possible without ambition. The knowledge
that aspiration for a high goal that is not ambitious fulfils itself, is a
great spur to progress. Thus ambition is overcome. Another method often
advocated is to compete with oneself – to strive to be better than before. This
way one concentrates NOT on the material gain but on the QUALITY of
performance. To consecrate the goal to the Spirit is a spiritual method. Then
our ego is replaced by the Spirit. Ambition in the lexicon of Spirit transforms
itself into aspiration. I wish every talented Indian youth aspires like that.
Those who are not endowed with talents will get TALENTS in their field by such
an aspiration.