![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() "This was rooted in German Romanticism and the classical India of the 'Vedas' and Romantic Hinduism," says Jyoti Sabharwal, who teaches at the University of Delhi's Department of German Studies and has done extensive research on Hermann Hesse and his books. Like them, Hermann Hesse had an idealized image of ancient, spiritual India. Hesse's story about the Brahmin boy looking for salvation was based on a perception of India that was popular among Western scholars studying India at the time, known as Indologists. ![]() Hermann Hesse won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1946 Image: Hermann Hesse-Editionsarchiv The idea of spiritual India Inspired by Buddha, who relinquished his kingdom, Siddhartha abandons his life of luxury and sets off with his best friend, Govinda, on a mission to find the meaning of life. Although the scriptures offer him explanations about the soul and its immortality, Siddhartha is keen on finding people who live this truth. Siddhartha, the story's protagonist, is born into a wealthy family of Hindu priests, or Brahmins. The novel by Hermann Hesse is set in 6th-century Kapilavastu (now in Nepal), the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama - better known as the Buddha. " Siddhartha" is the story of the spiritual journey of a young man, who shares his name with the Buddha. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |