Enlightenment: The Individual Experience in Hesse's Siddhartha

Abstract

Siddhartha is an outstanding contribution in the vast world of literature. The nearest possible meaning of enlightenment, avocations of the various ways to self- realization, and the melodious, lyrical writing styles are some of its prominent features. Siddhartha, who was initially against Buddha and other religious masters, finally accepts Vasudeva, the Ferryman and the River as his teachers. He considers everyone including Buddha, Govinda, Kamala and many others, even a stone as in the form of God, as in the form of divine teachers in the course of his long and personal journey of life. Because of his complete detachment from the worldly affairs; and his individual efforts, he ultimately succeeds inhaling and exhaling the Oneness, experiencing enlightenment.

The researcher has gone through various religious beliefs and philosophical insights to support Siddhartha's experience of enlightenment as relevant and true. The story line has been divided into five different phases where the attempt has been made to describe the concept of nirvana as per religion, philosophy and views of enlightened souls. Siddhartha's enlightenment proves to the world that anyone who is passion free, who is devoted and who surrenders to the Lord, one day or another attains divine consciousness. It is the success story of Siddhartha as well as the success story of each pure devotee who is the unidentified Siddhartha, hidden Siddhartha in our own world, own country, own community, most importantly in our own surroundings.