There are
many people in our lives that influence us in one way or another. In the
novel, Siddhatha, by Hermann Hesse, the author illustrates the importance
of Siddhartha's guides throughout his search for enlightenment. We are introduced
to Govinda who is Siddtartha's childhood friend, Kamala, the well-known courtesan
and the wise ferryman by the name of Vesuveda. These guides play a great
role as Siddhartha transforms from being convinced that life is a spiritual
exercise to finally attaining a state of peace.
The first major guide that plays a role in Siddhartha's life is Govinda.
Siddhartha and Govinda have been best friends ever since growing up and learning
the ways of the Brahmins. Govinda admired Siddhartha more than anyone ever
did. He was always fascinated by everything about him, especially his great
intellect. He follows Siddhartha as a friend in every decision that he makes.
This is evident when Siddhartha says, "Tomorrow morning, my friend, Siddhartha
is going to join the Samanas. He is going to become a Samana"(9). Govinda,
feeling anxious and uncertain, accepts his friend's decision and begins a
life of a Samana as well. Together, they resign all of their goods and begin
their practice, especially through fasting. The two friends soon hear of
Goatama, the Illustrious, who preaches the way to enlightenment. After hearing
his sermon, Govinda decides to join while Siddhartha takes his own path.
As they say farewell, Govinda wishes his friend all the best through out
his journey and the search for Self. Leaving Govinda with the Buddha allowed
Siddhartha to realize that the journey was his own. Govinda's reinforcement
in Siddhartha's decisions allowed Siddhartha to take his own path in search
for the Self.
Govinda
is not the only one who helps Siddhartha throughout his search for enlightenment.
Kamala, his mistress, serves a great purpose to Siddhartha finding his Self
through her teachings of love. Even though Kamala only agrees to teach Siddhartha
the art of love once he obtains nice clothes, shoes, and money, it allows
him to realize the importance with which ordinary people live their lives.
He begins to realize that people can live their lives without all the material
things. Kamala comments "One can beg, buy, be presented with and find love
in the streets, but it can never be stolen. You have misunderstood. Yes,
it would be a pity if a fine young man like you misunderstood" (55). Hesse
suggests that once you obtain something, such as knowledge, it cannot be
taken away from you. Kamala also brings out Siddhartha's last obstacle on
his path to enlightenment once she gives birth to his son, who serves as
a reminder of his own character. Siddhartha's son represents a more youthful
version of himself, which worries him because he has almost driven himself
to suicide. His son's actions enable him to succeed in saving him from what
he has once gone through. "I hate you; you are not my father even if you
have been my mother's lover a dozen times!" (123). We can see that his son
rejects him as a father and that scares Siddhartha. On the other hand, it
makes him realize and experience a feeling, which had always escaped him,
the feeling of love. Kamala guides Siddhartha in life through her teachings
of love and successful earnings.
Vesuveda,
the ferryman, was also a great influence on Siddhartha and his quest for
enlightenment. He is a kind-hearted person and a great listener who allows
Siddhartha to live with him and learn the lessons of life through examples
and the river. "The river knows everything; one can learn everything from
it. You have already learned from the river that it is good to strive downwards,
to sink, to seek the depth" (105). The river plays an essential role for
the ferryman. He wants Siddhartha to obtain and understand exactly what it
is that the river has to offer, which is to sink deeper and deeper to obtain
the desired goal. He is also there for him when Siddhartha is troubled by
his son. He tells Siddhartha, "Take him into the town; take him to his mother's
house" (120). Here, Vesuveda is trying to protect Siddhartha from the pain
that his son is causing him. He tries to explain that he should let him go
and learn on his own, even if he shall repeat his father's mistakes. Vesuveda's
most notable teaching to Siddhartha is to listen to the river and take in
what it is trying explain. The river allows him to be reborn and take a second
look at life. This wisdom of the river that Siddhartha soon obtains from
Vesuveda leads him to his complete enlightenment. It signifies completeness,
which allows him to appreciate the unity in all things that he never did
before.
Throughout
his colossal quest, Siddhartha had many helpers that served as guides during
his long journey of knowledge. It is Govinda, Kamala, and Vesuveda that help
Siddhartha learn the true lessons of life. These three guides make him realize
that he is not as different from other people as he had once imagined. In
the end, he has finally learned to love everything and everyone around him.
"I think it is only important to love the world, not to despise it, not for
us to hate each other, but to be able to regard the world and ourselves and
all beings with love, admiration, and respect" (147).