Lost in a
world of utter confusion and restlessness when mankind was searching for some
light in the all-pervading darkness of the World, Siddhartha provided a new ray
of hope to the intellectual mind of its time. Having its setting which dates
back to the time of Goutama Buddha, the book narrates the journey of the
central character Siddhartha from ignorance to enlightenment. The beautiful
selection of musical words , the depth and intensity of thought , the constant
philosophical undertones and the realistic portrayal of characters make it a
pleasure for readers of all ages across the world.
- In the book the protagonist is the son of a Hindu Brahmin in India. From the very beginning of his life he realizes the vanity of the material world and embarks on a journey of renunciation by leaving his house to join the samanas, who were the champions of renunciation. But after practicing for several years he realizes that renunciation cannot give him what he desperately craves for i.e enlightenment though he did not exactly know what it is like. So leaving the samanas he goes on to meet Buddha, the enlightened one. After his encounter with Buddha he realizes that it is the peace of mind that Buddha has is his object of search . He also realizes that the teaching of Buddha will never be able to make him attain that blissful state. So after hearing the inspiring words from Buddha he marches forward in his own personal quest of eternal bliss for which he has to pass through the twisted roads of sansara. A long time passes in the world of birds and flowers, sensuous pleasures and pains, and money and vices. Initially, Siddhartha participates in ordinary people’s activities as if they were just games, and views ordinary people as children and laughs at their childish intensity in their material obsessions. He is able at will to return to the inward mental sanctuary of Siddhartha the ascetic and not be bothered by anything for too long. But sure enough he soon gets drawn into the whirlpool of Sansara and all but forgets his real pursuit. Eventually though, a bad dream awakens him and he returns to the river of his childhood and youth utterly shaken and bewildered. He is saved from suicidal thoughts, and then he becomes the assistant of a wise old ferryman who has learnt the art of listening to the river and learning life’s secrets. Here, finally, Siddhartha achieves peace (although there is a brief period of torment when he experiences what it is to be a father). He realizes that life is like a river – timeless, present everywhere at the same time, with no past and present, and when one conquers the unreality of time, one is happy and at peace. He realizes that the wisdom is in accepting things as they are.
The book has much to offer than just the spiritual journey of a single man.. The dealing of universal problems like disappointment, confusion and
absurdity of the material world makes the book appealing for readers of all age groups. The protagonist transcends from an individual to represent the
whole of mankind. And through his journey the writer shows the world how each
life is an individual journey which can be redeemed only by living first hand not
by pursuing different schools of thought.
Thus the philosophical voices, the depth of thought and the exquisite narration makes it a must read for all intellectual minds.
Thus the philosophical voices, the depth of thought and the exquisite narration makes it a must read for all intellectual minds.
