3-4 Siddhartha 2

Siddhartha's journey of enlightenment is a calming tale. The story's core is peace and it ends in peace. Siddhartha is just a man who is lost and found, lost again and found again.. over and over. I am fond of this person who learns like a sponge. Siddhartha learns his most valuable lesson through the river, Siddhartha finds his coconut tree. It's peaceful and relaxing and in this moment, he finds 'Om.'

Siddhartha


"He said to himself, 'Om.' And again... He knew again about Brahman and the indestructibility of life, about all that is divine and that he had forgotten" (Siddhartha, 84). Such a divine experience is rare to read or witness, but I can connect with Hesse's Siddhartha. Whenever I hear 'Om,' I feel complete. Maybe I just grew up with this mindset, but OM, "that which is perfect... complete," is an awakening. Deep down, all the way to the Atman, this sound reverberates and provides a sensation of calmness to the soul.

Om


Throughout the whole story, Siddhartha is always learning. One thing or another, from Brahmin to Samana, to Gotama, to Merchant and lover, to Govinda, then finally to Siddhartha. He learns different lessons from every one. Kamala teaches him how to love and Kamaswami teaches him greed. But the teacher can't teach without a student, and Siddhartha is the best there is. My favorite teacher is Vasudeva. His very name is powerful. Vasudeva is a name of Lord Krishna and means "he in whom all things abide and who abides in all" (Siddhartha, 97 & 146). Siddhartha is searching for Vasudeva, and Vasudeva it seems was simply waiting for him. This is a spiritual belief which is affirmed by Krishna.

Sri Krishna


Siddhartha is truly enlightened. He has learned from Vasudeva and Gotama, the wisest of Gods and the wisest of men. He has learned from his father, Govinda, Kamala, Kamaswami... Siddhartha only seeks the knowledge to understand himself. He seeks to connect with his Atman. In his enlightenment one word strikes him with peace and tranquility, "Om!" It's powerful and powerless; it is and isn't, like Siddhartha it's lost and found. Om is to be complete and perfect. Om is to be like Krishna, Gotama and Siddhartha.

OM