Satyabrat Borah (satyabratborah12@gmail.com)
Leo Tolstoy’s relentless pursuit of life’s meaning resonates deeply with the human condition, a quest that transcends time, culture, and geography. His exploration of existential questions such as what the purpose of life is or how we find meaning in the face of inevitable death is not only a cornerstone of his literary legacy but also a mirror to the struggles faced by individuals across the world, including in India, where questions of purpose and mortality are woven into the fabric of our spiritual and cultural ethos. Tolstoy’s novels, “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina”, and his personal philosophical journey, particularly his reimagining of Christianity, offer profound insights into the human search for meaning. For an Indian reader, his reflections strike a chord, as they echo the timeless enquiries of our own philosophical traditions, from the Upanishads to the teachings of modern thinkers like Tagore and Gandhi.
Tolstoy’s life was marked by an unyielding quest to understand the purpose of existence. Born into Russian aristocracy, he achieved fame and success as a writer, yet these accomplishments left him unfulfilled. By his late forties, Tolstoy faced a profound existential crisis, a period he described as a confrontation with the void of meaninglessness. The inevitability of death haunted him: if all human efforts end in oblivion, what is the point of living? This question, raw and universal, is one that Indians, steeped in a culture that grapples with the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, can readily relate to. In our villages, where life is often lived close to the rhythms of nature, and in our bustling cities, where modern ambitions clash with ancient wisdom, the search for meaning in the face of mortality is a constant undercurrent.
In War and Peace, Tolstoy channels this existential inquiry through Pierre Bezukhov, a character who embodies the restless search for purpose. Pierre’s journey takes him through wealth, war, and philosophical musings, as he grapples with the same questions that tormented Tolstoy. Is happiness found in material success – in love and in intellectual pursuits? Pierre’s disillusionment with the superficiality of high society and the chaos of war leads him to a simpler, more grounded understanding of life. He finds solace in the ordinary, like in family, in community, and in the quiet dignity of living authentically. This resonates deeply with the Indian ethos, where the concept of santosha (contentment) is celebrated in both spiritual texts and everyday life. Whether it’s the farmer in a Punjab village finding joy in a bountiful harvest or the urban professional seeking balance amidst chaos, the Indian experience often mirrors Pierre’s realisation that true meaning lies in simplicity and connection.
Similarly, Anna Karenina explores the tension between societal expectations and personal fulfilment, with its titular character’s tragic arc serving as a cautionary tale. Anna’s pursuit of love outside the confines of her marriage leads to her alienation and eventual despair, culminating in her tragic death. Her story is a stark reminder of the consequences of seeking meaning in fleeting passions or societal approval. In contrast, Levin, another central character, finds purpose in the rhythms of rural life, family, and faith. His journey reflects Tolstoy’s own belief that meaning is found not in grand achievements but in the quiet moments of human connection and self-reflection. For Indians, this duality is familiar. Our society, with its emphasis on familial duty and spiritual grounding, often urges us to look beyond material pursuits. The festivals we celebrate, such as Diwali, Holi or Durga Puja, remind us of the importance of community, love, and the eternal over the ephemeral.
Tolstoy’s personal quest for meaning led him to re-examine Christianity, not as a set of rigid dogmas but as a philosophy of love, compassion, and simplicity. He rejected the ornate rituals of the Russian Orthodox Church, advocating instead for a life of humility and service to others. This resonates with India’s own spiritual traditions, particularly the teachings of figures like Gandhi, who emphasized ahimsa (non-violence) and seva (selfless service) as paths to a meaningful life. Tolstoy’s influence on Gandhi is well-documented; the latter drew inspiration from Tolstoy’s writings, particularly “The Kingdom of God Is Within You”, in shaping his philosophy of non-violent resistance. For an Indian audience, Tolstoy’s ideas feel like an extension of our own cultural values, where the pursuit of inner peace and service to humanity are seen as antidotes to existential despair.
Death, a central theme in Tolstoy’s work, is portrayed with unparalleled depth and sensitivity. In his novel “The Death of Ivan Ilyich”, Tolstoy confronts the terror and inevitability of mortality head-on. Ivan, a successful judge, faces a terminal illness that forces him to reevaluate his life. He realises that his pursuit of status and wealth was misguided, and in his final moments, he finds peace in accepting his mortality and embracing compassion. This narrative strikes a universal chord, but it is particularly poignant in the Indian context, where death is not just an end but part of a larger cosmic cycle. Our rituals, from the cremation ceremonies along the Ganges to the prayers offered during shraddha, reflect an acceptance of death as an integral part of life. Yet, like Ivan, we often grapple with the fear of meaninglessness, wondering if our lives have amounted to something worthwhile.
Tolstoy’s reflections on death and meaning challenge the modern obsession with transcending mortality through technology or material success. In today’s world, where claims of technological immortality abound, Tolstoy’s insistence on confronting our mortality feels both radical and grounding. In India, where ancient wisdom coexists with rapid modernization, this tension is palpable. The allure of wealth and technological progress often overshadows the quieter, more profound truths found in our spiritual heritage. Tolstoy’s life and work remind us that the pursuit of meaning is not about defying death but about living authentically in its shadow. This aligns with the Indian philosophy of dharma, which encourages us to live in harmony with our purpose, regardless of life’s impermanence.
For the Indian reader, Tolstoy’s search for meaning feels like a conversation with our own cultural soul. Our festivals, our family bonds, and our spiritual practices all echo his belief that life’s purpose is found in love, simplicity, and connection. In the villages of Assam or the bustling streets of Mumbai, we see people finding joy in small moments: a shared meal during Eid, a dance during Bihu, or a quiet prayer at a temple. These moments, though fleeting, are where life’s meaning resides. Tolstoy’s realisation that external achievements cannot fill the void of existential questioning mirrors the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna advises Arjuna to focus on his duty without attachment to outcomes.
Tolstoy’s legacy is a reminder that the search for meaning is a deeply personal yet universally shared journey. His characters, like Pierre, Levin, and Ivan, reflect the struggles of every individual who has ever pondered the purpose of their existence. In India, where the weight of tradition and the pull of modernity coexist, Tolstoy’s insights offer a timeless guide. They urge us to look inward, to find meaning in the connections we forge and the lives we touch, rather than in the fleeting allure of wealth or status. As we navigate the complexities of modern life, Tolstoy’s voice, resonant and clear, reminds us that death may be inevitable, but a life lived with purpose, love and simplicity is its own triumph.
In a world that often seeks to deny mortality, Tolstoy’s courage in facing it head-on is a call to embrace life fully, flaws and all. For Indians, this message is both a reflection of our heritage and a challenge to live authentically in a rapidly changing world. Whether through the lens of our ancient scriptures or the quiet wisdom of our daily lives, Tolstoy’s search for meaning reminds us that the answers we seek are often closer than we think—within ourselves, in our relationships, and in the fleeting beauty of the present moment.