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Literary Devices
Definition of Allusion
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals, historical events, or philosophical ideas... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to other literary works, famous individuals... read full definition
In literature, an allusion is an unexplained reference to someone or something outside of the text. Writers commonly allude to... read full definition
Part One, Chapter 1 – The Brahmin's Son
Explanation and Analysis—Hinduism:
Siddhartha alludes to two major Hindu texts, the Rigveda and the Upanishads. The Rigveda is an ancient collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. Its title comes from a conjunction between the Sanskrit words for "praise" and "knowledge" and translates to "The Knowledge of Verses." It contains 1,028 poems dedicated to praising gods and natural forces. In Chapter 1 of Siddhartha, the titular character dreams of verses from the Rigveda:
Dreams came to him and fretful thoughts flowing from the water of the river, twinkling from the stars of the night, from the sun’s melting rays—dreams came to him and restlessness of his soul, smoked from the offerings, breathed from the verses of the Rig-Veda, dripped from the teachings of the old Brahmins.
Here the holy text appears in Siddhartha's dreams and "fretful thoughts"; it does not seem to offer him much clarity, but he considers it important because of his education. This allusion to the Rig Veda reminds readers of two essential tenets in Siddhartha: book learning is only the beginning of knowledge, and one cannot attain enlightenment merely by reading. The titular character's mind races beyond what he has read, and he ventures beyond his homeland to discover the truth for himself. The Rig Veda has a great influence on him during his childhood, but it is an ultimately inadequate guide to the complexity of adult life.
Another key allusion is one to the Upanishads. These holy texts describe humanity and the universe. They present a vision of interconnectedness and harmony despite the world's apparent diversity. In Chapter 2, Govinda speaks some verses aloud:
Govinda murmured verses to himself, verses from an Upanishad:
When the purified and pondering mind is absorbed in Atman,
The bliss of the heart cannot be stated in words.
Unlike Siddhartha, Govinda does not seem "fretful or "restless" as he "murmur[s]" these verses. In fact, Govinda accepts the traditional teachings without questioning them. By contrast, Siddhartha responds to his friend's recitation by wondering: "What would be left of everything that seemed holy to us? What is left?" Instead of providing reason and guidance, the text tosses Siddhartha into an existential crisis. He discovers knowledge of universal unity much later in the story when he listens to the river's burbling laughter and learns that the "pure Teaching of the Sublime One sounds different, sounds clearer, purer, more intelligible" than anything he had ever read.
Most importantly, the inclusion of holy texts reveals a key paradox. The passage that Govinda recites shows the ultimate insignificance of words, despite the fact that every significant religion relies on word-filled texts to communicate its message. As Siddhartha later learns, an enlightened being does not say, know, feel, or need anything worldly; an enlightened being simply exists in a state of pure and serene bliss (without worldly language or knowledge). The clearest, purest, most intelligible form of truth exists within oneself, and it is revealed only when one reaches Nirvana.
Related Themes:
Part One, Chapter 2 – Among the Samanas
Explanation and Analysis—Hinduism:
Siddhartha alludes to two major Hindu texts, the Rigveda and the Upanishads. The Rigveda is an ancient collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. Its title comes from a conjunction between the Sanskrit words for "praise" and "knowledge" and translates to "The Knowledge of Verses." It contains 1,028 poems dedicated to praising gods and natural forces. In Chapter 1 of Siddhartha, the titular character dreams of verses from the Rigveda:
Dreams came to him and fretful thoughts flowing from the water of the river, twinkling from the stars of the night, from the sun’s melting rays—dreams came to him and restlessness of his soul, smoked from the offerings, breathed from the verses of the Rig-Veda, dripped from the teachings of the old Brahmins.
Here the holy text appears in Siddhartha's dreams and "fretful thoughts"; it does not seem to offer him much clarity, but he considers it important because of his education. This allusion to the Rig Veda reminds readers of two essential tenets in Siddhartha: book learning is only the beginning of knowledge, and one cannot attain enlightenment merely by reading. The titular character's mind races beyond what he has read, and he ventures beyond his homeland to discover the truth for himself. The Rig Veda has a great influence on him during his childhood, but it is an ultimately inadequate guide to the complexity of adult life.
Another key allusion is one to the Upanishads. These holy texts describe humanity and the universe. They present a vision of interconnectedness and harmony despite the world's apparent diversity. In Chapter 2, Govinda speaks some verses aloud:
Govinda murmured verses to himself, verses from an Upanishad:
When the purified and pondering mind is absorbed in Atman,
The bliss of the heart cannot be stated in words.
Unlike Siddhartha, Govinda does not seem "fretful or "restless" as he "murmur[s]" these verses. In fact, Govinda accepts the traditional teachings without questioning them. By contrast, Siddhartha responds to his friend's recitation by wondering: "What would be left of everything that seemed holy to us? What is left?" Instead of providing reason and guidance, the text tosses Siddhartha into an existential crisis. He discovers knowledge of universal unity much later in the story when he listens to the river's burbling laughter and learns that the "pure Teaching of the Sublime One sounds different, sounds clearer, purer, more intelligible" than anything he had ever read.
Most importantly, the inclusion of holy texts reveals a key paradox. The passage that Govinda recites shows the ultimate insignificance of words, despite the fact that every significant religion relies on word-filled texts to communicate its message. As Siddhartha later learns, an enlightened being does not say, know, feel, or need anything worldly; an enlightened being simply exists in a state of pure and serene bliss (without worldly language or knowledge). The clearest, purest, most intelligible form of truth exists within oneself, and it is revealed only when one reaches Nirvana.
Related Themes:
