Natural entities holistically substantialize an explicit secular imitation that is synonymous to the inner workings of the unfastened course of reality. These various actualizations impart guidance and externalize the innate channels that connect human psyches through a mirrored version of life. In the novel, Siddhartha by Herman Hesse, the ubiquitous river is a lucid encapsulation of the spiritual progression of the eponymous character, Siddhartha, while simultaneously providing a framework for the circularly constructed novel. The unintentional insight that is emanated from the tangible interpretation pervades aspects of the protagonist’s life, acting as an unadulterated material lens. Through the purposely detailed employment of water imagery, Hesse accentuates Siddhartha’s desire to eternally align himself with the boundless expanse of the universe. The river was a transparent window into Siddhartha’s soul, whispering traces of former passages within his life.
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The natural body interconnected aspects of his spiritual journey, vividly indicating its sequential commencement and its blissful end. The river evoked stability, reminding Siddhartha of the essential and continuous linkage between his routine past and his uncertain future. Throughout his journey, the young man acquired beliefs that he retained and compounded in order to reach spiritual contentment. The river unleashed vestiges of Siddhartha’s past, awakening dormant parts of his soul. “With a distorted countenance he stared into the water…Then from the remote part of his soul, from the past of his tired life, he heard a sound…the holy Om…” (Page 72) The river reminded Siddhartha of a fundamental element of his life, which originated from his time as a Brahmin, this catalyzed his entrance into a pivotal period of his spiritual growth. The depths of the river conveyed his embrace of his former spiritual identities along with his newfound existence. This action was further augmented by the inherent cleansing properties of the river. Contextually, Siddhartha was in need of spiritual stimulation deriving from his past in order to shed his spiritually oppressive identity as a merchant. The river provided Siddhartha with an earthly baptism which was fortified by its perceptible power. This occurrence was symbolic of his embedment into a new spiritual life form. “He only knew that his previous life (at the first moment of his return to consciousness his previous life seemed to him…like an earlier birth of his present Self) was finished…but he had come to himself by a river…Then he had fallen asleep, and on awakening he looked at the world like a new man.” (Page 73) The river was a natural conduit for the components of Siddhartha’s spiritual beings, segueing his ethereal rebirth. In this instance, the waters of the river cleansed him of his worldly façade, unlocking his true form. The connective ability of the natural element emphasized the pervasiveness of aspects within an individual’s life. The river was a direct reflection of the spiritually multifaceted Siddhartha. The natural mechanism that is fluidly created by the ever-changing flow of a river into different banks directly mimics the human connections created by Siddhartha during his religious transformation. Siddhartha wielded the ability to foster human interactions that engendered individual blossoming. The dynamic between Siddhartha and his seemingly attached counterpart, Govinda, was representative of the way in which a river streamlines into its banks. Siddhartha, who was symbolic of the river, was influential in the spiritual development and awakening of Govinda. Hesse illustrates this through Siddhartha’s adamancy for Govinda to remain with the Buddha, temporarily severing their friendship ties. However, as hinted by Hesse’s employment of the river in the development of the circular construction of the novel, Siddhartha and Govinda would be reunited by the attractive pull of the river, augmenting the cycle implemented by the writer. “I have learned from the river too; everything comes back.” (Page 40) Hesse’s decision to revisit the spiritual-driven friendship solidified its existence. Furthermore, Siddhartha channeled the essence of the river through the way in which he spiritually communicated insight into the soul of his close, bank-like friend, Govinda. “…he leaned close to him and touched his forehead with his lips. As he did this, something wonderful happened to him…he saw…a continuous stream of faces…” (Page 121) Siddhartha’s river-like nature aided in the much sought after spiritual renewal of his soul in addition
The natural body interconnected aspects of his spiritual journey, vividly indicating its sequential commencement and its blissful end. The river evoked stability, reminding Siddhartha of the essential and continuous linkage between his routine past and his uncertain future. Throughout his journey, the young man acquired beliefs that he retained and compounded in order to reach spiritual contentment. The river unleashed vestiges of Siddhartha’s past, awakening dormant parts of his soul. “With a distorted countenance he stared into the water…Then from the remote part of his soul, from the past of his tired life, he heard a sound…the holy Om…” (Page 72) The river reminded Siddhartha of a fundamental element of his life, which originated from his time as a Brahmin, this catalyzed his entrance into a pivotal period of his spiritual growth. The depths of the river conveyed his embrace of his former spiritual identities along with his newfound existence. This action was further augmented by the inherent cleansing properties of the river. Contextually, Siddhartha was in need of spiritual stimulation deriving from his past in order to shed his spiritually oppressive identity as a merchant. The river provided Siddhartha with an earthly baptism which was fortified by its perceptible power. This occurrence was symbolic of his embedment into a new spiritual life form. “He only knew that his previous life (at the first moment of his return to consciousness his previous life seemed to him…like an earlier birth of his present Self) was finished…but he had come to himself by a river…Then he had fallen asleep, and on awakening he looked at the world like a new man.” (Page 73) The river was a natural conduit for the components of Siddhartha’s spiritual beings, segueing his ethereal rebirth. In this instance, the waters of the river cleansed him of his worldly façade, unlocking his true form. The connective ability of the natural element emphasized the pervasiveness of aspects within an individual’s life. The river was a direct reflection of the spiritually multifaceted Siddhartha. The natural mechanism that is fluidly created by the ever-changing flow of a river into different banks directly mimics the human connections created by Siddhartha during his religious transformation. Siddhartha wielded the ability to foster human interactions that engendered individual blossoming. The dynamic between Siddhartha and his seemingly attached counterpart, Govinda, was representative of the way in which a river streamlines into its banks. Siddhartha, who was symbolic of the river, was influential in the spiritual development and awakening of Govinda. Hesse illustrates this through Siddhartha’s adamancy for Govinda to remain with the Buddha, temporarily severing their friendship ties. However, as hinted by Hesse’s employment of the river in the development of the circular construction of the novel, Siddhartha and Govinda would be reunited by the attractive pull of the river, augmenting the cycle implemented by the writer. “I have learned from the river too; everything comes back.” (Page 40) Hesse’s decision to revisit the spiritual-driven friendship solidified its existence. Furthermore, Siddhartha channeled the essence of the river through the way in which he spiritually communicated insight into the soul of his close, bank-like friend, Govinda. “…he leaned close to him and touched his forehead with his lips. As he did this, something wonderful happened to him…he saw…a continuous stream of faces…” (Page 121) Siddhartha’s river-like nature aided in the much sought after spiritual renewal of his soul in addition