At some point or the other, We have all asked ourselves the fundamental question, ''How do we find lasting peace? Why we suffer the way we do and is there a way out for cessation of suffering?''
All the religions of the world have explored the answer to the question in their own unique styles. Some have tried to answer it from within and some from without. As Hesse intelligently points out that we often try to simplify the question for finding the answer to it while within and without are one and the same. In doing so he mentioned that we are subject to deception that time is a reality while it is not. And if time is not real, then the divide which seems to separate the world from eternity, suffering from bliss and evil from good, is a mere deception.
When i chose this book, i was also deceived by the name 'Siddhartha'. I thought that the book is an autobiographical account of Gautam Buddha who was born as Siddhartha and after finding knowledge, named Buddha i.e. the enlightened one. While the book contains story of a Brahmin boy Siddhartha who goes for an individual search for lasting peace during the time of Gautam Buddha and how his life is inspired by Samanas, Gautam Buddha, a courtesan Kamala, a ferryman Vasudeva and by a river profoundly.
Notably the Book 'Siddhartha' is one of the most acclaimed novels of Nobel Laureate Hermann Hesse. It was first published in 1922. It contains the philosophy of Hesse towards life which is inspired by individualism, it finds it's own answers to the question which are different as well as similar to the answers found by Buddha.
The philosophy of the book can be summed up in some beautiful and meaningful quotes like:
''The opposite of every truth is just as true.''
''Wisdom cannot be passed on. Wisdom that a wise man attempts to pass on to someone always sounds like foolishness.''
''Every life is indestructible, every moment is eternity.''
''Showing your wound to a listener is just like bathing it in the river until it had cooled and become one with the river.''
''Learn from the river: it is good to strive downwards, to sink and to seek depth.''
''I had to learn how to leave the world as it is, to love it, and to enjoy being a part of it.''
''Siddhartha is excited with the discovery and realizes that all suffering, all self-torment, anxiety, all difficulties, all hostility are anchored in time and all will disappear when time is overcome, when time can be thought away.''
To sum up, It is a must read for those who are interested in Philosophical depths but for others with a little interest in philosophical matters, this book may sound a bit boring as it dwells deep into the philosophical questions while at the same time Hesse has tried his best and succeeds much in keeping the book simple for all.
The book is a 4 out of 5 and is highly recommended for the book enthusiasts who seek depth!
