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Motifs
Definition of Paradox
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar Wilde's famous declaration that "Life is... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel of truth or reason. Oscar... read full definition
A paradox is a figure of speech that seems to contradict itself, but which, upon further examination, contains some kernel... 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:
Part Two, Chapter 9 – The Ferryman
Explanation and Analysis—Vasudeva:
A central paradox of Siddhartha is that many "insignificant" things hold great importance. This concept manifests in the character of Vasudeva, the simple ferryman, who turns out to be the most important teacher (and the most godlike figure) in Siddhartha. The first key to Vasudeva's character is that he is often characterized by what he does rather than what he says. Through the enactment of his own beliefs, he embodies enlightenment and peace and becomes Siddhartha's final teacher. In Chapter 9, the narrator describes Vasudeva's simple skill of listening:
Vasudeva listened very attentively. Listening, he absorbed everything, origin and childhood, all the learning, all the seeking, all joy, all woe. One of the ferryman’s greatest virtues was that he knew how to listen like few other people. Without a word from Vasudeva, the speaker felt that the ferryman took in his words, silent, open, waiting, missing none, impatient for none, neither praising nor blaming, but only listening.
Here Vasudeva demonstrates his "greatest virtue" as he listens to the story of Siddhartha's life. One might think that a teacher should teach, but Vasudeva listens. He leads by example, showing Siddhartha the value of being a good listener. This eventually leads Siddhartha to listen more closely to the river and become enlightened later in the story. One might also think that Gautama Buddha would be Siddhartha's most important teacher, but the narrator makes a point to emphasize the oneness of the universe, how things big and small are actually the same, and how a simple ferryman can be as powerful a teacher as the Buddha himself.
Interestingly, "Vasudeva" means "he who lives in all thoughts, and who lives in all people." It is also an alternative name for an incarnation of Vishnu, a powerful Hindu god tasked with the protection of the universe. In mythology, Vishnu returns to earth to restore the balance of good and evil, undergoing a continual process of reincarnation. In Hesse's novel, Vasudeva appears as Siddhartha's guide, essentially returning balance to his life in the form of perfect enlightenment, and he disappears when no longer needed. The name Vasudeva imbues this character with subtle power and suggests his importance. By presenting the most godlike figure in the book as a simple working man, Hesse proves the point that seemingly-insignificant people or aspects of life are of equal importance as the ones we tend to venerate. This idea, which some might call a paradox, can be accepted by those who achieve enlightenment because to become enlightened means seeing the oneness and wholeness of the world; i.e., everything contains everything else, so there does not need to be any distinction between big or small things.
Related Themes:
