Summary of Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

 

                           Siddhartha

-               HERMANN HESSE

Siddhartha is a novel published in 1922 by the German writer Herman Hesse. The novel was translated into English in the year 1951. This novel depicts the self – journey of Siddhartha. Siddhartha the son of a Brahmin lives near a river bank along with nature. He was an intelligent boy. He pronounced the word “om” at a very young age. He looked very handsome and the Brahmin girls in the village admired Siddhartha. Govinda was the close friend of Siddhartha.

As a young man Siddhartha questioned atman. He was not able to get a proper answer for atman form the teachings of Brahman. So, he decides to join with a new sect of priests called Samanas. With the consent of his father he moves to the Samanas along with Govinda. For three years he follows the preaching’s of Samanas.  He is able to endure the pain and sufferings through meditation. But Siddhartha realizes that through mediation it is impossible to get enlightenment. Siddhartha decides to move away from Samanas.

Govinda informs Siddhartha about Gautama Buddha. Both travel to a nearby village to meet Buddha. Govinda seeing Buddha readily submits to follow the footsteps of Buddha. Gautama tells that the goal of his teachings is a salvation from suffering and nothing else. Siddhartha admires the calm and serene face of Buddha. But Siddhartha is not ready to learn from Buddha.

Siddhartha decides not to follow the footsteps of Buddha or learn from Vedas. He decides to gain wisdom through self-learning. He gains knowledge from nature. He is captivated by the scenic beauty of the mountain, sea, flower, birds, animals, people etc. He was hovering around the city and one day he meets a ferryman on his way. The ferryman helps Siddhartha to cross the river. Entering the city, Siddhartha sees a beautiful Courtesan, carried in her sedan chair. He learns from people in town that she is a courtesan who is named Kamala. He meets her and begins a relationship. She teaches him the art of love. Siddhartha dress like a gentleman and comes to meet Kamala with gifts. Kamala helps Siddhartha to get a job from a rich merchant Kamaswami. Siddhartha obtains a job from a merchant and over the years becomes a rich man. But is not interested to earn money, he earns money only to buy gifts for Kamala and for his costumes. Then he becomes tired of this teaching and finally moves away from Kamala unannounced.

Kamala feels saddened about his departure. She set free the songbird. She becomes awakened in life and decides not to invite visitors. she learns that she is pregnant with Siddhartha’s child.  Siddhartha plans to commit suicide by drowning in the river. He hears the Mantra Om ringing deep into his heart. The Om mantra stops him from committing suicide. Siddhartha meets the Ferry man, Vasudeva who once helped him to cross the river. He is delighted to learn from the Ferry man about the river and acquire the knowledge of inner peace.  

Kamala hearing to the plight of Buddha hurries to see Siddhartha. When she tries to cross the river bank along with her son a snake bites her. She falls unconscious. The Ferry man and Siddhartha finds Kamala. She informs about her son and dies. Siddhartha agrees to raise his son. But the boy flees away looting the house of the Ferry man. After this incident Siddhartha learns about inner peace and he gets enlighted.

            Govinda comes in search of a wiseman. He does not recognize Siddhartha as his friend. He asks the wiseman to help him for getting enlightenment. Siddhartha instructs his friend to kiss his forehead and when Govinda does this he sees visions of endurance and harmony. Govinda is so dazed with joy that he falls to his knees.