Plot Summary of Siddartha

The river in Siddhartha represents the force of life. The river and all living things experience birth, death, and rebirth. The river can communicate without words; therefore it is a great teacher for those who seek knowledge. Siddhartha learned many things from the river: to kill his old self, he realized that life was a cycle, and finally enlightenment.

The story of Siddhartha is a quest for enlightenment. It begins with a Brahman's son, Siddhartha, and his best friend Govinda. While none of the Brahmins have achieved enlightenment, Siddhartha believes that he learned as much as he could from the Brahmins. Siddhartha wants to leave and join the Samanas. His father does not want Siddhartha to leave but reluctantly lets the young man go off on his quest. His dad makes Siddhartha promise to come back and teach him what he has leaned. Siddhartha left with Govinda and joined the Samanas and left his father to live a lonely life.

As a Samana, Siddhartha gave up all worldly possessions and had to beg for his food. He learned to give up all desires; he did not feel hunger or pain. Siddhartha and Govinda ran into the traveling Buddhists. They met the holy Buddha and Govinda decided that he wanted to follow his teachings. As Siddhartha was wandering around the forest he saw a beautiful woman named Kamala. There was a strong attraction between the two and they soon became lovers. Siddhartha traded in his loin cloth for the life of a merchant in the city, and he became quite wealthy and enjoyed the luxuries that accompany riches. Siddhartha began to drink heavily, gambled frequently, and made love habitually. He finally got sick of the life that he was living, and went back to the river.

Siddhartha's way of life caused him painful thoughts of suicide, and the only way he thought he could find peace was to destroy his physical body. He was depressed and sitting by the river,he plunged head first into the cool water to end his useless life. While he was under the water he heard a wonderful sound, the sound of "Om"; Siddhartha got out of the river and exhausted fell into a deep sleep by the coconut tree. When he awoke he was sitting by Govinda and he felt renewed, refreshed, and rejuvenated.

He stayed by the river that gave him a second chance at life.