Siddhartha: An Indian PoemThe classic novel of a quest for knowledge that has delighted, inspired, and influenced generations of readers, writers, and thinkers--a perennial favorite for graduation gifts. Though set in a place and time far removed from the Germany of 1922, the year of the book's debut, the novel is infused with the sensibilities of Hermann Hesse's time, synthesizing disparate philosophies-Eastern religions, Jungian archetypes, Western individualism-into a unique vision of life as expressed through one man's search for meaning. It is the story of the quest of Siddhartha, a wealthy Indian Brahmin who casts off a life of privilege and comfort to seek spiritual fulfillment and wisdom. On his journey, Siddhartha encounters wandering ascetics, Buddhist monks, and successful merchants, as well as a courtesan named Kamala and a simple ferryman who has attained enlightenment. Traveling among these people and experiencing life's vital passages-love, work, friendship, and fatherhood-Siddhartha discovers that true knowledge is guided from within. Susan Bernofsky's magnificent translation brings out Hesse's inspired lyricism and his elegant, melodious cadences, illuminating the novel's universal themes and timeless wisdom about the human condition. This original Modern Library edition includes a lively new Introduction by Tom Robbins and a glossary of Indian terms. |
Contents
THE SON OF THE BRAHMIN 3233 | 3 |
AMONG THE SAMANAS | 12 |
GAUTAMA | 18 |
AWAKENING | 33 |
KAMALA | 41 |
AMONG THE CHILD PEOPLE | 55 |
SANSARA | 64 |
BESIDE THE RIVER | 73 |
THE FERRYMAN | 85 |
THE SON | 98 |
ΟΜ | 108 |
GOVINDA | 116 |
GLOSSARY OF SANSKRIT TERMS DEITIES PERSONS | 127 |
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Common terms and phrases
Anathapindika André Gide ascetic Atman awakening become beneath beside the river boat Brah Brahmin breast breath Buddha child clever clothes death dhartha doctrine dream eternal everything eyes face father feel felt ferry ferryman flowing foolish forest garden Gautama gazed goal grove hair hear heard heart Hermann Hesse Hesse Hesse's holy hour innermost core Jetavana journey Kamaswami kiss knew knowledge Kurt Vonnegut laughed learned listened live longer looked Magadha merchant monks Montagnola nausea never Nirvana novel once path peace Perfect perhaps pilgrim pleasure reached refuge remained Sama-Veda samadhi Samana Sansara sedan chair Siddhartha saw silent sleep slowly smile sorrow soul speak spoke Steppenwolf stood Sublime sudeva suffering teacher teachings tell things thirst Thomas Mann Tom Robbins took tree Upanishads Vasudeva Venerable voice waiting walk weary wise wished woman words wound young youth