SIDDHARTHA

May 26, 2020

POST LECTIO : A True Eye-Opener


Title      : Siddhartha
Author  : Hermann Hesse
Year      : 1922
Genre   : Philosophy/Fiction

Summary : A young man, named Siddhartha, renounces his current lifestyle, leaves home and becomes an ascetic to achieve self-enlightenment.

DISCLAIMER: NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE STORY OF GAUTAMA BUDDHA, WHOSE BIRTH NAME WAS ALSO SIDDHARTHA.

People who have read this novel, claim that this book has changed their perception of their lives. It may sound exaggerated but only after the experience of reading this book can we come to a conclusion. And now I agree, this is a remarkable work of philosophical fiction. It is truly a rare piece of philosophy that reverberates with our lives.

“Wisdom cannot be imparted. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to impart always sounds like foolishness to someone else ... Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but one cannot communicate and teach it.”

Siddhartha, along with his friend Govinda, embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, they meet Gautama Buddha( Gotama in this book). Siddhartha through the course of the story, goes one full circle in his life. He starts his journey on the path of knowledge, goes off course for a period of time, and comes back to his original path and attains illumination, with a help from a wise ferryman. The experience and lessons he learnt during his journey on and mainly off the path serve as the means for his enlightenment.

“. . . gentleness is stronger than severity, water is stronger than rock, love is stronger than force.”

The prose is simple and very beautiful. Each written word has absolute clarity. When the true understanding of the wisdom becomes apparent it hits you like a huge truck. The wisdom has always been there but when it becomes visible, the exhilaration is immense. The author makes you understand the basic explanation, so it becomes easy to grasp the overall meaning.

“He has robbed me, yet he has given me something of greater value . . . he has given to me myself.”

Even though the book deals with philosophy, it is never boring. The book is very small is size and yet it conveys the message very effectively. There are very less number of characters, but they play their part to perfection. After reading this book, people may become a huge fan of the philosophy genre.

“Words do not express thoughts very well. They always become a little different immediately they are expressed, a little distorted, a little foolish.  . . .  what is of value and wisdom to one man seems nonsense to another.”

Written By : Gautham Selvarajan



Post Lectio is a series where we present a spoiler-free review of the books we read. 

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