Siddhartha

Siddhartha, written by Hermann Hesse and first published in German in 1922, is a work of philosophical fiction. The book is based closely on the teachings of the spiritual leader Gautama Buddha who lived in present day Nepal or Northern India in the 4th or 5th century BCE. The book tells the story of the physical and spiritual journey of a fictional Brahmin’s son Siddhartha, in his quest for self-discovery and the meaning of existence. The book was translated by Hilda Rosner and first published in the US in 1951. It became popular during the 1960s and has remained an influential spiritual work. Other well-known philosophical works by Hesse, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1946, include Demian, Steppenwolf, and The Glass Bead Game.

Plot Summary

The story begins with the description of the clever, handsome, and popular young man Siddhartha, the son of wealthy, educated, and loving Brahmin parents. His friend Govinda is introduced at the same time, and the omniscient third-person narrator describes his admiration for and loyalty to Siddhartha. The protagonist is discontent and restless with many questions in his mind, which remain unanswered by the teachings of the Hindu wise men. His disquiet and thirst for experience lead him to leave his comfortable home and join a group of Samanas, or wandering ascetics, against his father’s wishes. Govinda joins Siddhartha, and they are accepted by the Samanas, whose lifestyle they adopt, giving up material possessions, fasting, meditating, and wandering the country. This is done in a quest for denial of the Self and attainment of Nirvana, or enlightenment. Despite living this way for three years, Siddhartha remains dissatisfied. When he hears from Govinda of Gotama Buddha, the Illustrious One, who claims to have reached Nirvana, the two decide to leave the Samanas and search for this new Holy man. Siddhartha’s interest in Gotama is short-lived, however, and he turns away from these teachings too, leaving Govinda behind. Alone in the woods, Siddhartha looks back on his adolescence, his family, the various teachings, and his unsuccessful efforts to deny his Self. He comes to an awareness that he is now reborn, awakened, but alone. Surrounded by the beautiful reality of nature, he realizes he must find his own path.

At the start of Part Two, Siddhartha immerses himself in the colors, sounds and sensations of the real world and reflects that both thought and sensory experience make up the Self. He meets a ferryman named Vasudeva, who tells Siddhartha how much the flowing water has taught him. Vasudeva allows the penniless Siddhartha to ride the ferry for free, knowing he will see the man again. On entering a town, he meets the beautiful and elegant courtesan Kamala and requests that she teach him the ways of love. However, the courtesan requires him to earn money and arranges for him to become a partner to Kamuswami, a rich merchant. Siddhartha becomes a popular and successful businessman, although he has no real love for money. He remains in the town for years, living a life of sensual pleasure and materialism, becoming richer, lazier, and more like the ordinary people he disdained. Eventually, he tires of this life of debauchery and the nausea that it provokes in him, and after a last night with Kamala, in which she conceives his child, he realizes that this life is not the source of happiness. He leaves it all behind to return to the forest.

Tired, hungry, full of regret, and wishing for death, Siddhartha hears the word Om and remembers the divine, before entering a deep sleep. He awakes refreshed and finds Govinda at his side. His friend is still a wandering monk, and they discuss their experiences before parting. Alone, Siddhartha reflects on all he has learnt, through experience rather than teachings, and again feels reborn and happy, having left behind the life of riches. He finds Vasudeva again and becomes his companion, living and working with him for several years. When Kamala and her son pass nearby on a pilgrimage to Gotama Buddha, Kamala is bitten by a snake and dies. Siddhartha, realizing the boy is his son, takes care of him, but he is a defiant and angry child who eventually runs away from Siddhartha, despite his father’s patience and love. Siddhartha realizes that he put his father through the same pain. Encouraged by Vasudeva to listen to the river, Siddhartha perceives the unity of all things and reaches serenity, at which point Vasudeva leaves him. Govinda, still a seeker, returns, and Siddhartha explains to him all that he has learnt through experience, actions, and the real world, rather than only words and thought. When Govinda kisses Siddhartha’s forehead, the peace and love in his friend’s heart is transmitted to him.