Siddharth

Siddhartha’s Friendships
Friendships are like machines, if one part of the machines stop functioning then the whole unit breaks down. Without the right parts a machine breaks down, just like how people do if they do not have friends to help guide them in the right direction. Machines help us accomplish things faster and more effectively; similar to how friends help us accomplish goals we would never be able to accomplish on our own. Exactly how Siddhartha’s friends help him attain enlightenment. In Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha, Siddhartha’s friends Kamaswami, Govinda and Kamala help him realize who he has become and help guide him towards reaching enlightenment. Through Kamaswami’s actions Siddhartha comes to the realization he has become distracted by the temptations and pleasures of life and has lost sight of his true intentions. Until now Siddhartha had been living as a Samana, a simple life. Siddhartha reflects how “he now lived in the merchant’s house. Clothes and shoes were brought to him and a servant prepared him a bath daily” (Hesse 53). Temptations are ever present, as Siddhartha learns from Kamaswami. As a result of putting up with years of temptations Siddhartha feels as though he has lost touch with himself and leaves them behind along with his life in the city. Until he comes to the city, Siddhartha never needed a job. Siddhartha takes a job as the apprentice of Kamaswami, a business man, but shortly after he comes to the realization that “Kamaswami conducted his business with care and often with passion, but Siddhartha regarded it all as a game, the rules of which he endeavored to learn well, but which did not stir in his heart” (53). When he took the apprenticeship, Siddhartha thought that he would enjoy what he was doing. Ultimately he seems to realize that it is not all the glory he imagined it to be. Previously Siddhartha was Kamaswami’s apprentice; he was a man of honor. For many years, Siddhartha was taught to be kind towards everyone, but after many years in the city he turns bitter and “no longer [is] kindhearted to beggars, he no longer had the desire to give gifts and loans to the poor” (64). After years of being miserable by taking part in Kamaswami’s business and seeing how he treated his customers, Siddhartha has no mercy for them either. Henceforth Siddhartha treats all beings with the kindness. In reflection of his time spent with Kamaswami, Siddhartha has come to realize that he is different than his friend are different but by knowing how he is different and how to change helps him become a better person. They had been boyhood friends, now as they grow old Govinda and Siddhartha’s choices have effected how they reach their common goal of enlightenment. Govinda follows Siddhartha in the hope that his friend will lead him on a journey. After Siddhartha receives his father’s blessing to go out and search for it, it is no surprise that when he sees his best friend Govinda waiting to follow him on this new adventure he says “You have come” to which Govinda replies “I have come” (9). In due time Govinda and Siddhartha realize that Govinda has always been a follower and Siddhartha a free spirit. Even though they are best friends, they know that they have to attain enlightenment in their own way they part ways. Despite hearing the Buddha speak, Siddhartha wishes to leave. While Siddhartha speaks with the revered Gautama Buddha he tells him that “My friend will remain with you; he has sworn allegiance to you. I however, am continuing my pilgrimage anew” (26). On occasion will have to choose one thing over another, like how Govinda chooses to stay and follow the teachings of the holy Gautama Buddha while Siddhartha chooses to leave and follow his own path to enlightenment. In conclusion, sometimes you must choose what is of more value to you, and either you are a leader or a follower. Living with Kamala for many years, Siddhartha has changed and learns many things from her. Change is a part of life; Siddhartha decides to make a change with his life. Taking place after seeing Kamala for the first time “he [Siddhartha] had his beard shaved off by the barber’s assistant. He also had his hair combed and rubbed with fine oil. Then he went to bathe in the river” (43). Knowing what he wanted and what he needs to do to get it helps Siddhartha accomplish his goal of getting the attention of the beautiful Kamala. As a result of his change he gets the beautiful Kamala. Kamala helps Siddhartha learn new things that he never thought he could learn. Siddhartha describes having “learned many things from her wise red lips” (53). Kamala teaches Siddhartha how to love a woman, something that Siddhartha has never experienced. The last thing that Siddhartha learns from Kamala is how to let go. Many years ago it was Kamala who “took the bird out and let it fly away” (69). The bird represents Siddhartha who left one night after many years of unhappiness in the city. Now Siddhartha realizes that it is okay to let go of things that you love. Undoubtedly Siddhartha must understand how Kamala felt when he left all those years ago. In sum, Siddhartha has learned how to change his traditions, to love a woman, and finally how to accept loss.
In Hermann Hesse’s novel Siddhartha, Siddhartha’s friends Kamaswami, Govinda and Kamala help him realize who he has become and they are able to guide him towards enlightenment. Just like how machines break down without the right parts, people start to fade away without help and guidance from friends. Hesse, Hermann. Siddhartha. Trans. Hilda Rosner. New York: New Directions, 1951.