‘For Whom The Bell Tolls’ is an extraordinary book written by Ernest Hemingway, sometimes called his great masterpiece. The book deals with the sacrifice, love, dilemmas, musings, and ultimately, the death of an American volunteer soldier, Robert Jordan, fighting in the Spanish Civil War against the fascist regime at the time (Freedom vs. Fascism 1936-39).
The title of this book is taken from a poem by an English Poet, John Donne. The premise of the title is that historically, the church bell is tolled every time someone leaves their body to inform others of their passing.
One of the undercurrents in this story is its existential theme, which provokes readers to ask important questions like- the meaning and purpose of life, the inevitability of death, the need or futility of war, etc. This is presented through the experiences of different characters, their philosophical reflections, and the chaos caused by the war around them. I remember being very much influenced by this book, especially the end when Robert Jordan, who voluntarily fought in this war (being an American), died for a worthy cause.
I was surprised as I did not expect to like this book and certainly did not expect to learn about life and death.
IT TOLLS FOR THEE
John Donne, the poet, wants us to remember that when the bell tolls, it tolls for each of us. How so?
Here is what the wisdom text of Bhagavad Gita teaches us about Life and Death:
We are all heading towards the demise of this body and rebirth into another- therefore, sooner or later, death comes for us all.
The soul discards the current, debilitated, or useless body at the time of death and moves onto another body. The following body or next destination is granted based on the activities during this lifetime and consciousness at the time of demise. Krishna emphasizes maintaining a very advanced spiritual consciousness at the time of death in order to receive a spiritual destination.
A NEVER-ENDING GAME OF ESCAPE ROOM
The souls entrapped in this world circulate through different bodies, different species, and different planets. Their goal is to escape this cycle of birth and death and achieve a spiritual destination. However, they are stuck in a never-ending game of Escape rooms, stumbling from room to room, and don’t have a clue as to how to escape from these rooms and emerge as winners.
THE LAST THOUGHT COUNTS
Bhagavad Gita is the rulebook for this game that teaches one how to play this game correctly and escape out of these rooms when the hourglass runs out. Krishna mentions that one should be in spiritual consciousness, meditating on the Lord or his names, forms, qualities, etc, while leaving the body to attain freedom from the material world. One has to practice a lifetime of such spiritual activities and devotional services with a strong desire to gain self-realization, thus gradually developing attraction or love for Krishna. This lifetime struggle to achieve proper consciousness and a deep passion for spiritual advancement enables one to focus on Krishna at the time of death.
THE FINAL EXAMINATION
Therefore, death is actually a very crucial time in the soul’s journey through this creation. It is at this time that the soul can change the course of its future journey.
Krishna ensures that souls who achieve this spiritual consciousness at the time of passing will undoubtedly reach Him and His abode. Thus, they not only break free from the cycle of birth and death, transcend beyond the miseries of this world, but also attain the topmost possible destination. This is the perfection of human life.
ART OF LIVING AND ART OF LEAVING
This brings me to meditate on the great personalities who followed Krishna's recommended process and reached perfection. They passed this examination with flying colors. Such celebrated souls played by the rules mentioned in the rulebook of the Bhagavad Gita and emerged as winners from the ‘Escape rooms.’ Many such distinguished souls have been mentioned in the pages of ancient historical texts, and several have walked amongst us.
The great warrior and commander- Bhishma, the great King- Parikshit, and finally the great scholar, leader, and spiritual teacher- Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. These remarkable souls lived an exemplary spiritual life according to the principles of the Bhagavad Gita, achieved topmost consciousness, and could meditate on the supreme lord with an intense fervor at the time of death.
They all had one thing in common—they were all pure devotees and servants of the Lord, detached from this world and intoxicated with their absorption in the supreme. They are famous for their incredible tenure of service, using all their skills, faculties, and resources in the service of mankind. At their last breath, they were eager for a final reunion with the supreme.
Bhishma- a great administrator, diplomat, well-wisher of all, a pure soul and devotee of the Lord. He waited for the Lord’s arrival so he could gaze upon the face of the Supreme Lord while leaving the body. He offered Him prayers, glorified Him, focused on Him, and thus achieved perfection.
Parikshit – heard about the Lord’s pastimes, qualities, and forms through the narration of Srimad Bhagavatam for the last 7 days and 7 nights of his life.
Prabhupada- continued dictating his purports to Srimad Bhagavatam for several weeks leading up to his departure.
In this way, these great souls lived their lives according to the will of the Supreme Person and were awarded the topmost destination. They have set the bar for maintaining top-notch consciousness at death, thus passing into eternity, knowledge, truth, and bliss—the recommended goal of one’s life.
WHAT IS YOUR LEGACY
A life well lived is one lived in service, sacrifice, and gratitude. Such a life creates a ripple effect and touches the lives of many other ordinary souls, who then become extraordinary, having been inspired by these munificent personalities. Their words, actions, and character have the power to transform and revolutionize the mundane lives of many ordinary souls.
When we look back on our lives at the time of death, is it a life of regrets, lost opportunities, wasted time, and futile endeavors or a meaningful life of love, service, sacrifice, and heartfelt ventures, with the pursuit of spiritual perfection always being the topmost measure of success?
THE TIME WILL RUN OUT
Life is short, like bubbles in water, and time runs out very quickly. This understanding is vital for human beings so they can invest their time wisely in spiritual activities instead of wasting it on the mundane, temporary physical world. Many choose to ignore the warnings mentioned in the wisdom literature, even though they have witnessed the demise of many loved ones time and time again. Regardless, time will eventually run out, and the examination of death will be nigh.
During COVID times, there were so many deaths that the bell would have tolled continuously if that was still the tradition. Therefore, we are well warned to develop spiritual realizations during life and prepare for the inevitable last moments of this human body so we can remember the Lord intensely and gain perfection.
Remember: For whom the bell tolls-
Deepika mataji:
Hare Krsna Mataji
Kindly accept my humble obeisances.🙏
Loved this article, too, especially the last paragraph.
keep up the good work as always 🙏🙇🏻♀
When we look back on our lives at the time of death, is it a life of regrets, lost opportunities, wasted time, and futile endeavors or a meaningful life of love, service, sacrifice, and heartfelt ventures, with the pursuit of spiritual perfection always being the topmost measure of success?