Self-discovery, spirituality and meaning in life were
the predominant themes of the great writer Herman Hesse who won the Nobel in
1947. He spent some time in India and was fascinated by the Upanishads and
other Hindu scriptures. Siddhartha (1923) was one of the
resultant novels. Conrad Rooks made an excellent movie out of this novel in
1972 starring Shashi Kapoor in the lead role.
Siddhartha is a young Brahmin whose
marriage is being arranged by his parents when he decides to pursue asceticism.
First he joins the wandering ascetics (Samanas), then goes to the Buddha, for
attaining enlightenment. It takes years to realise that enlightenment cannot be
taught by others. One has to learn it by oneself though others may be able to
show some lights.
Siddhartha’s spiritual quest takes
him to a most unlikely person too: Kamala, a courtesan whose fee is beyond
Siddhartha’s imagination. He decides to earn the money required and does it
sooner than we would expect. He becomes the most loyal staff of a wealthy
trader and gets more money than required. A period of sensuous pleasures
follows. But a person like Siddhartha, who is a seeker at heart, cannot be
contented with such delights. His quest continues. Finally he does attain
enlightenment.
Enlightenment comes from within. Not
from out there anywhere. Prescribed doctrines cannot give you enlightenment.
Look within deep enough and then you will see that what you have been searching
for all over the world – in the mountains and valleys, deserts and forests – is
lying just there: in your own heart. Those who don’t discover the deepest
truths in their own hearts are religious only in name. Such people create
problems in the name of religions and gods. Those who have attained
enlightenment bring peace and harmony around.
We are all fragmented creatures,
broken at heart by many painful experiences contributed magnanimously by those
around us including parents and close ones. Spirituality is about healing that
fragmentation. Not about prayers and rituals. Prayers and rituals may help in
the process. But the goal is not just offering prayers to please gods. Not
performing some rituals which we think will bring us divine blessings. No, it
doesn’t work that way at all. Any prayer, any ritual, which doesn’t touch your
heart is worthless. Read Siddhartha if you haven’t already to
discover the meaning of religion, spirituality and enlightenment.
PS. This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon
Previous Posts in this
series:
2. Pip Learns the Essential Lessons
3. Delusions and Ironies of Love
4. Good
Old Days without meetings
I agree Enlightenment comes from within. I too have seen many people with beads in their hand the whole day but have very little wisdom in them. It is hard yo find internal peace but I feel this book may guide with dome of the steps.
ReplyDeleteBooks, like gurus, can show the way. How we walk that way is up to us.
DeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteOh yes, this is one my all-time favourite books! Read it in my teens and twice since. Time for a revisit... YAM xx
My copy had a lot of notes and comments I made as I read it again and again. But it was taken away by someone more than 25 years ago.
DeleteA very interesting review.Religion and spiritual have many ways of reaching the same goal.
ReplyDeleteNot a review really.
DeleteI'm glad you make a distinction between religion and spirituality.
That's the hard part. Or the easy part. It depends on where one is at on their journey.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you because I've gone through some of that.
DeleteI'm now intrigued to check out the Conrad Rooks movie starring Shashi Kapoor
ReplyDeleteI watched it as a young man and loved it.
DeleteEnlightenment comes within. Being Buddhist I read many books on Buddha. But this not yet. Your review intriguing. I wanted to check this book.
ReplyDeleteHesse was a brilliant writer. Go ahead and read him.
DeleteWell written, Loved your review of Siddhartha
ReplyDeleteNot a review, just another view.
Delete