" Siddhartha" Hermann Hesse - Book Review

Hello Readers,

The growing cases of Covid-19 and lockdown had and has been making us go through tremendous stress. The stress itself is making our world upside down, rather than the problem. At this hour it necessary to indulge ourselves in something which allows us to be at peace. An avid reader in me got the perfect time to read books apart from research and syllabus.

I picked a long awaited book from my library; “Siddhartha” by Hermann Hesse. Gautam Buddha, his teachings and life has always fascinated me a lot. So had to grab it without fail.

Let me give you all a quick review of this book.

Something about the author:-

Hermann Hesse is an amazing writer from Germany. He wrote many novels and essays; best known for “Siddhartha”. He won the prestigious Noble Prize for Literature in 1946. Hesse began writing Siddhartha in December 1919 in Switzerland. During his childhood, he frequently heard stories about the beauty of spirituality in Indian Culture, from his father and mother, who had been missionaries in India. In his exploration to East in 1911,  Hesse draws most of his portrait of Siddhartha from his own journey.

The book is divided into two parts. The story revolves around two significant characters Siddhartha (Protagonist) and Govinda; his friend. The most interesting part of the story is that we see Gautam Buddha also as a character, apart from his presence in each and every word of the book.

Plot:-

In the first part, Siddhartha ( a rich child of a Brahmin) and his friend Govinda; who idolizes Siddhartha, are living a comfortable life with all the leisure.  Somewhere Siddhartha is restless and start questioning whatever taught by his father. Once he sees the Samanas (Monks) pass through his city and he is inspired by the self-discipline. He and Govinda decides to follow them. However he learns everything but doesn’t find enlightenment. On hearing about the Gautam Buddha, they sets off to him for finding enlightenment. While questioning Buddha about enlightenment, he preaches about individual enlightenment and also suggests that enlightenment will come to those follow him. Govinda agrees to him and stays, while Siddhartha disagrees to his suggestion and sets off on his own to find himself.

The Second Part is quite a journey in itself. Siddhartha becomes completely seduced by materialism and starts living life totally in contrast to his existence as Samana. The material life goes on until one day he gets tired of all this and contemplates suicide looking into a river. In this moment of despair, the sound of holy “Om” which brings him near to his individual enlightenment. Further he meets a ferryman Vasudev which leads him more near the enlightenment zone.

 

Review:-

 In the age where religion and spirituality are either have become a source of income, or a just a topic for political party to win election or committing crime like rape or murder, this book brings out the real picture and real meaning of spirituality. Generally, the so-called preachers calls the worldly pleasures as “Moh-Maya” and then indulge themselves in this “Moh Maya”. To put simply, you can only break or reform a rule unless you have followed them. Similarly without worldly pleasure and individual restlessness, enlightenment is not achieved.  That is the reality around us and it is well highlighted in this book.Hesse with his simple and lucid writing style explains the simple truth and fact of life. By creating a fictional human character ‘Siddhartha’ leads us to the experiences we can relate. Also through this story, we are brought near to the simple truth which not easy to understand and very hard to follow. Simplicity is always hard to gain; show off is easy.

Apart from the characters, river plays a very vital role in the second part of the story. Through this symbol, Hesse connects the unity of Souls past, present and future. It is the story of individualism and everyone’s journey is going to be different.

Gielsa Stein highlights that in the course of his long search Siddhartha tells that a secret of purposeful life cannot be passed on in capsule form from one individual to another, for “knowledge is communicable; wisdom is not”. (Stein)

Individual experience can only lead you towards wisdom. No one but you yourself have to walk on the path of life. We have many movies which comes with this theme of individualism. I would like to quote some lines from a song “संसार से भागे फिरते हो…” from movie चित्रलेखा – 1964 written by my favorite writer Sahir Ludhyanvi which is relatable with the essence of this book.

संसार से भागे फिरते हो, भगवान को तुम क्या पाओगे

इस लोक को भी अपना न सके, उस लोक में भी पछताओगे .

 

ये पाप है क्या, ये पुण्य है क्या, रीतों पे धरम की मुहरें हैं

हर युग में बदलते धर्मों को कैसे आदर्श बनाओगे

 

ये भोग भी एक तपस्या है, तुम त्याग के मारे क्या जानो

अपमान रचयिता का होगा, रचना को अगर ठुकराओगे

 

हम कहते हैं ये जग अपना है, तुम कहते हो झूठा सपना है

हम जन्म बिता कर जायेंगे, तुम जन्म गंवा कर जाओगे

 

This Novella of 141 pages can be read in one sitting, but to understand it more thoroughly take a day or two to finish it. This book also contains interpretive notes, Critical Experts Observations, Questions for discussion and suggestions for interested reader.

A worth reading book and worth having in your collection.

Enlightening, Enriching and Interesting book!

Happy Reading!!! 

©️वैदेही

Works Cited:-

Hesse, Hermann. "Siddhartha". New York: Simon & Schuster, May Edition 2009. Print.

Stein, Gisela. ""Herman Hesse at 85"." New York Times 1 July 1962: 166. Print.