Simple. Profound. Philosophical. Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha is the story of one man’s quest for spiritual illumination. Inspired by Gautama Buddha and his wisdom, Siddhartha’s quest is one that is less of an adventure, and more of discovery. A discovery that introduces our protagonist to new places, new people, new joys and miseries, and new experiences. All of which play key roles in his search for wisdom, enlightenment, and above all, his search for himself.
Siddhartha – The Plot
Siddhartha’s journey begins in an ancient Nepalese kingdom where he, the son of a Brahmana, loved by everyone around him, has so far has lived a relatively comfortable life. The only problem. Everything others loved about him meant little to nothing to Siddhartha himself. Lacking the joy those around him know. Discontent and restlessness slowly growing within him. And that, is when he decides to leave his home to become a Samana, a traveling ascetic. Not only an unorthodox decision for the son of a Brahmana, but one that is sure to invite disproval and aversion even from the ones who loved Siddhartha. All except his loyal friend, Govinda.
Accompanied by Govinda, a young Siddhartha commits himself to a journey where he will experience more than what expects. From learning the art of patience and the ability to think with clarity, to meeting Gautama Buddha himself, losing his way to greed and materialism, and finally finding the meaning he had been looking for, in perhaps the most unexpected places.
The opposite of every truth is just as true. That is to say, any truth can only be expressed and put into words when it is one-sided. Everything that can be thought with the mind and said with words is one-sided. It’s all just the half of it, lacking completeness.
Hermann Hesse
Siddhartha
Siddhartha’s journey through vices and virtues
A cursory read of Siddhartha’s story might make you feel that Siddhartha’s story is not the most exciting. May be it isn’t. But that isn’t the promise Hermann Hesse or Siddhartha make at any point. I would say, at the cost of inviting some criticism, that his journey is not an entirely spiritual one either. At least not in the conventional sense. Siddhartha’s journey is largely be broken into three phases.
- Wisdom
Seeking the wisdom of Gautama Buddha, Siddhartha realizes early on in his journey that wisdom is not something that ‘wisdom’ cannot be taught. But must be learnt by oneself. And with this newfound realization, he decides that the Buddha’s philosophy, although wise, does not speak to or give the answers Siddhartha – and many others – may be seeking. He must find these answers himself. As must each individual on a quest for himself. - Material
Falling in love with the beautiful woman, Siddhartha soon finds himself indulging in the material joys of life. Becoming a trader, he builds riches beyond what he enjoyed in his former life as the son of a Brahmana. But as it did then, he loses a sense of self, and his discontent soon surfaces with the realization that his luxurious and materialistic lifestyle is nothing more than temporary fulfilment of the void left by a lack of spiritual fulfilment. - Acceptance and Discovery
Abandoning the riches amassed over years of working as a trader, Siddhartha once again leaves behind his life of comfort. Accepting a humbler lifestyle, he is reunited with a ferryman, Vasudeva, who had many years ago helped him cross a river. And in this river, in a ferryman’s company, Siddhartha seems to find his true purpose, and his spiritual guide.
This is where Siddhartha’s journey becomes even more profound. The chapters that follow are filled with wisdom beyond what Siddhartha had learnt or picked up in his journey so far. And among other realisations, understanding that an individual life while has purpose, does not have a finish line. It is not a race to the end or a destination to be reached. Rather, it is a circle that goes round and comes back in ways one could not have imagined…
Siddhartha – A journey of one life with the power to change many
Siddhartha’s road to realization or enlightenment was filled with his own struggles and joys. Something we can all relate to. But it still has more than a little something we can take away.
- Empathy requires difficulty and humility
We can never understand the pain someone else is going through. Not unless we have experienced it ourselves. Whether it is family, friends, or even acquaintances, we can be there in their difficult times, but understanding them requires something much more. - The perfect life – does not exist
Contrary to what many – including religious groups – would have us believe, the perfect life does not exist. There is no guarantee of achieving enlightenment. Or for that matter even clarity as to what that means. But one thing Siddhartha’s journey tries to tell is that this happiness or perfection lies everywhere around you. If only we can see it. And accept it. - Actions define a human being
Siddhartha as a person does not believe in Buddhism himself. But he always respected it for the good that it did. Rather than simply preaching. Talk is cheap. After all, it is what you do, more than what you say, that shows who you really are. - You don’t gain wisdom from books. But through experiences
Siddhartha was always a well-read boy, even before he left his family. Adored for his ability to partake conversations and debates, his knowledge apparently knew no bounds. But it was only when he embarked on his quest that he realized how little he knew. And what it would take to attain true wisdom. Not teachings. But experiences.
As Brian O’Driscoll famously said, ‘Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.’
Wisdom is not communicable. The wisdom which a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish. One can communicate knowledge. But not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but cannot communicate and teach it.
Herman Hesse
Siddhartha
The last word
Siddhartha is not the conventional story of the Buddha that we have all heard and read. In fact, it is not a story about the Buddha at all. But of a man who is on a journey not towards riches, but towards himself. Wherever that may take him. It is not a journey towards enlightenment. But towards realisation. It is a story that reflects different stages of a man’s life. And what matters most at each stage.
My life has been wondrous indeed. It has taken wonderful detours.
Hermann Hesse
Siddhartha
Originally written in German, it’s possible that the translation into English lost some of Hermann Hesse’s subtleties. But it is still a fabulous and insightful read that can keep you thinking for a long time after you are done reading. One of the few pieces of fiction that serve this purpose. At least, it did this for me, and I hope it will do the same for you.
