This exceptional novel, which beautifully portrays the protagonist Siddhartha’s journey of self-discovery, is truly a gem in the world of literature. Before delving into the novel itself, it is worth exploring the motivations that led Hermann Hesse to create this masterpiece.

Hermann was born into an orthodox Christian family in Germany, with his father being a missionary who spent time in India. Additionally, his maternal grandfather, a linguist, also served as a missionary in India. Growing up, Hermann had access to his grandfather’s library, where he immersed himself in numerous books across various languages, igniting his passion for becoming a writer. Although his parents aspired for him to become a priest and missionary, Hermann’s fascination with philosophy and skepticism led him to abandon school at the age of twelve, determined to pursue a career as a poet. This period of his life was marked by immense challenges, as he worked as a mechanic in a factory and faced severe economic and psychological difficulties, even attempting suicide multiple times. After a prolonged period of inner and external struggles, he eventually found solace in the bookselling profession and became a part of the Majlis of Enlightened Writers in the 1890s. During this time, Hermann ventured into poetry and published his first collection of poems in 1899.

In 1904, Hermann Hesse published his first novel, “Peter Kemensand,” which tells the story of a failed poet and a dynamic young man—a character reminiscent of Hermann himself. This theme of personal struggle and self-reflection permeates many of his other works. While some of his writings reflect naturalism and Freudian psychoanalysis, each piece is a reflection of his own life experiences. Hermann’s opposition to war and his pacifist stance further shaped his writing, leading him to speak out against German prisoners of war and provide shelter to many. However, these views took a toll on his personal life, leading to issues in his marriage and ultimately the dissolution of his first marriage. His subsequent relationships also suffered from similar challenges.

At a point when Hermann Hesse was financially bankrupt, he abandoned city life and settled in villages. Spending much of his time contemplating by the riverside, he immersed himself in the study of philosophy and Eastern civilizations. This passion eventually led him to embark on a journey to India, where he delved into the study of philosophy and religion during his stay, before returning home. It was this journey that inspired Hesse to write the novel “Siddhartha.” Each chapter of this remarkable novel is filled with wisdom, and as readers delve into the story, they witness Hermann Hesse, through the character of Siddhartha, describing the struggles of his own life.

Plot and Main Concept:
“Siddhartha” is the tale of an adolescent boy named Siddhartha, set during the time of Gautama Buddha. Siddhartha embarks on a path of doubt in search of truth and wisdom. While everyone around him expects him to follow in his father’s footsteps as a successful Brahmin, Siddhartha feels restless and curious, no longer satisfied with the rituals and spiritual training he receives.

One day, a group of sadhus passes through the city, leaving Siddhartha impressed and prompting him to become a sadhu himself. He spends years striving to discover the essence of life, wandering through various cities and towns, and learning how to liberate himself from the trappings of conventional life. Yet, despite his efforts, Siddhartha remains unsatisfied and ultimately chooses the path of sannyasa. On his journey, he encounters the Buddha in a village and becomes inspired by his teachings. However, Siddhartha soon realizes that self-realization lies not in blindly following others, but in self-discovery.

Continuing on his journey, Siddhartha meets a ferryman and is amazed to find contentment in the man’s simple life by the river in a place called Katia. The ferryman guides Siddhartha across the river, and Siddhartha eventually leaves for the city. There, he encounters a beautiful woman named Kamala and falls in love with her, but Kamala demands that Siddhartha become a wealthy merchant to win her affections. Siddhartha quickly secures a job with a businessman named Kamswami and begins his journey into the world of commerce.

With time, Siddhartha’s business acumen grows, and he becomes a prosperous businessman, enjoying the materialistic aspects of life. However, despite his success, he remains unfulfilled. In a desperate attempt to escape his restlessness, Siddhartha indulges in gambling, drinking, and sexual pleasures, only to find that his anxieties deepen. It is in the midst of this despair that Siddhartha has a dream one night, where he envisions Kamala’s pet bird dying in its cage. This dream leads him to the realization that the material world is slowly killing him and will not provide the answers he seeks. Siddhartha decides to abandon everything and leave the city without informing Kamala.

Siddhartha wanders to the riverbank and reunites with the ferryman, Vasudev, whom he had met years ago. Expressing his desire to attain the contentment he once witnessed, Siddhartha is told by Vasudev that he found this fulfillment through the silence and companionship of the river. Siddhartha spends many years by the river, observing its flow, and eventually attains the truth he had been searching for. He comprehends that, just as water from a river flows into the ocean and returns as rain, everything in nature is interconnected.

Life and death, joy and sorrow, good and evil—all form a circle and are essential for understanding the meaning of life. Siddhartha realizes that every breeze, every cloud, every bird, and every insect imparts valuable lessons and teaches us to live. He grasps the authenticity of the universe, and it is this profound awareness that becomes his ultimate quest.

In the end, Govind, Siddhartha’s friend, arrives at the riverside in search of an enlightened sage. Unaware that the sage he seeks is Siddhartha himself, Govind remains a devoted follower of Gautama, but has not been able to achieve the enlightenment he sought alongside his friend. When Govind realizes that Siddhartha is the wise man he has been searching for, he is taken aback. He implores Siddhartha to share the wisdom he has attained. In response, Siddhartha smiles and explains that neither he nor anyone else can teach wisdom, as knowledge can be taught, but consciousness cannot. Instead, Siddhartha asks Govind to kiss him on the forehead. Although Govind finds Siddhartha’s request peculiar and unfamiliar, he complies. In that moment, the entire scene transforms before Govind’s eyes, and he attains the cosmic truth that Siddhartha had already realized.

This novel by Hermann Hesse is a truly unique masterpiece that resonates with every reader. The story of Siddhartha challenges the notion of absolute good and absolute evil. Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Siddhartha rejects the confines of conventional truths and precepts, embracing a return to nature and emphasizing the importance of loving the world instead of hating or despising it. The novel encourages readers to view the world with love, reverence, and awe.
Overall, Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha” is an extraordinary novel that captivates readers with its profound insights and timeless wisdom. Through the journey of Siddhartha, Hesse prompts us to question the nature of existence, seek self-realization, and embrace a holistic understanding of life. With its compelling narrative and thought-provoking themes, “Siddhartha” continues to enthrall readers, making it a must-read for lovers of literature and philosophy alike.

The writer is a teacher of DELTA , the Change Agent. He can be reached at aminwastoo@gmail.com.