Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

"Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse. The book is published by Random House in 2006 and has 129 pages. This book is translated into English by Susan Bernofsky.

The story is set in fifth and sixth century BC. During the times of Gautam Buddha. Although Buddha's original name was Siddhartha, the protagonist of this book is another Siddhartha. He was son of a brahmin and was loved by all. But he was not happy. He was searching something and he did not know what. He thinks that he wants to search Atman and Brahman.

One day he takes permission of his father and leaves home. He becomes an ascetic, a samana, learns fasting, control over breathing and masters samadhi.  But he is not satisfied. Then he goes to listen to the sermon of Sakyamuni or Gautam Buddha. Here he is intrigued. He refuses to become his disciple and is truly awakened. He understands what he was searching. He was searching himself, Siddhartha. He wantes to know himself without the context of being a brahmin or a ascetic or being amongst friends or people like him. It was discovery of Self. So he decides to become a commoner and wants to learn art of love making from a very beautiful courtesan, Kamla. In order to afford her, he becomes a merchant. Earns and enjoys wealth. Becomes a sinner. Again one day he realizes that his search is not over, so he leaves all his wealth, friends and Kamla behind to become a boatman, helping people to cross the river. Here the river becomes his companion, guide, tutor and friend. It talks to him. This is where he finds what he was looking for.

Siddhartha's journey is like a caledoscope in search of something. He is a happy child but leaves his childhood to become an intelligent brahmin youth. He then leaves his home to become a samana. Then he leaves the ascetics to listen to Gautam Buddha. He leaves him to becom a commoner who wants to learn art of loving . Leaves the life of commoner to become a rich merchant and lives extravagant life. Then leaves all the wealth behind to become a boatman.

I found the writing style of Herman Hesse spiritual and mystique like that of Paulo Coelho. The book gives a different perspective of life. It is an allegorical novel.

Various stages of life, various stages of physical belongings and various friends are not enough for Siddhartha. His quest is insatiable. His journey continues. He yearns for something, everything, nothing.

The book is written in a sublime manner. It has a story but is spiritual. It even contradicts Goutam Buddha on a few occasions. Siddhartha sums up everything in one sentence "What interests me is being able to love the world, not scorn it, not to hate it and hate myself, but to look at it and myself and all beings with love and admiration and reverence."

Those who have spiritual inclination or are interested in the unknown would like it. But this book is not for casual readers.