Herman Hesse

Siddhartha] had begun to feel that the love of his father and mother, and also the love of his friend Govinda, would not always make him happy, give him peace, satisfy and suffice him. He had begun to suspect that his worthy father and his other teachers, the wise Brahmins, had already passed on to him the bulk and best of their wisdom [but] his soul was not at peace.

Chapter1, Page3

After a long time, I felt the need to read. To read nonstop. It was a small book, "Siddhartha" by Herman Hesse. I was recommended this book way back in 2005 or 2006. It took a good 5 years to get to it. The book is about the spiritual experience of Siddhartha I think the book is an experience. To start with, the writing is beautiful. It flows, and leaves you with a solace after every page, every line almost. Some of the verses are for keeps. Like,

"Slowly, like moisture entering the dying tree trunk...so did the world and inertia creep into Siddhartha's soul; it slowly filled his soul, made it heavy, made it tired, sent it to sleep. But on the other hand his senses became more awakened, they learned a great deal, experienced a great deal"

There is a lot to this book. Surpasses human emotions or those that I was aware of till now.It helps unwind from a lot that we have accumulated in the name of "growth" and "education". It brings back a wee-bit of the child like enthusiasm that is somewhere down there. And the element of friendship between Govinda and Siddhartha was brought out beautifully I thought. Before I go totally off, I shall sign out and dwell in the after thoughts of the book.

PS: This blog is dedicated to one of my dearest friends.