Siddhartha
By Hermann Hesse
Explained
The following videos will help you to understand Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Vocabulary Part 1 and 2
1. ablution
the act of washing oneself, as for ritual purposes
The sun browned his slender shoulders on the river bank, while bathing at the holy ablutions, at the holy sacrifices.
1. ablution
the act of washing oneself, as for ritual purposes
The sun browned his slender shoulders on the river bank, while bathing at the holy ablutions, at the holy sacrifices.
- grove
a small growth of trees without underbrush
Shadows passed across his eyes in the mango grove during play. - radiate
cause to be seen by emitting light as if in rays
His brow radiating the glow of pure spirit Already he knew how to recognize Atman within the depth of his being, indestructible, at one with the universe. - supple
moving and bending with ease
There was pride in his mother’s breast when she saw him walking, sitting down and rising: Siddhartha —strong, handsome, supple-limbed, greeting her with complete grace. - lofty
of high moral or intellectual value
Love stirred in the hearts of the young Brahmins' daughters when Siddhartha walked through the streets of the town, with his lofty brow, his king-like eyes and his slim figure. - ardent
characterized by intense emotion
He loved everything that Siddhartha did and said, and above all he loved his intellect, his fine ardent thoughts, his strong will, his high vocation. - vocation
the particular occupation for which you are trained
He loved his intellect, his fine ardent thoughts, his strong will, his highvocation.
In this case, the term means "calling" as in for a profession. - sacrificial
related to the act of killing another to satisfy a diety
Govinda knew that he would not become an ordinary Brahmin, a lazysacrificial official.
In this case, the term is used as one who is taken for a pawn. - avaricious
immoderately desirous of acquiring something
Govinda knew that he would not become an ordinary Brahmin, a lazy sacrificial official, an avaricious dealer in magic sayings.
Can be used as being "greedy". - conceited
having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
Govinda knew that he would not become an ordinary Brahmin, a lazy sacrificial official, an avaricious dealer in magic sayings, a conceitedworthless orator, a wicked sly priest, or just a good stupid sheep amongst a large herd. - orator
a person who delivers a speech
Govinda knew that he would not become an ordinary Brahmin, a lazy sacrificial official, an avaricious dealer in magic sayings, a conceited worthless orator, a wicked sly priest, or just a good stupid sheep amongst a large herd. - lance
a long pointed rod used as a weapon
And if he ever became a god, if he ever entered the All-Radiant, then Govinda wanted to follow him as his friend, his companion, his servant, his lance bearer, his shadow. - atonement
the act of making amends for sin or wrongdoing
Wandering along the rosy paths of the fig garden, sitting in contemplation in the bluish shade of the grove, washing his limbs in the daily bath of atonement. - discontent
showing or experiencing dissatisfaction or restless longing
Siddhartha had begun to feel the seeds of discontent within him. - suffice
be adequate, either in quality or quantity
He had begun to feel that the love of his father and mother, and also the love of his friend Govinda, would not always make him happy, give him peace, satisfy and suffice him. - vessel
an object used as a container, especially for liquids
They had already poured the sum total of their knowledge into his waiting vessel; and the vessel was not full, his intellect was not satisfied, his soul was not at peace, his heart was not still. - transient
lasting a very short time
Were not the gods forms created like me and you, mortal, transient? - consciousness
an alert cognitive state in which you are aware of yourself
It was not flesh and bone, it was not thought or consciousness. - penetrate
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
It says that when a man is asleep, he penetrates his innermost and dwells in Atman. - sage
a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics
There was wonderful wisdom in these verses; all the knowledge of thesages was told here in enchanting language, pure as honey collected by the bees. - insatiable
impossible to satisfy
Was he not also a seeker, insatiable? - quench
satisfy, as thirst
It often seemed near—the heavenly world—but never had he quite reached it, never had he quenched the final thirst. - ascetic
someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
Wandering ascetics, they were three thin worn- out men, neither old nor young, with dusty and bleeding shoulders, practically naked, scorched by the sun, solitary, strange and hostile—lean jackals in the world of men. - scorch
become superficially burned
They were three thin worn- out men, neither old nor young, with dusty and bleeding shoulders, practically naked, scorched by the sun. - hostile
impossible to bring into friendly accord
Wandering ascetics, they were three thin worn- out men, neither old nor young, with dusty and bleeding shoulders, practically naked, scorched by the sun, solitary, strange and hostile—lean jackals in the world of men. - blanch
turn pale, as if in fear
Govinda blanched as he heard these words and read the decision in his friend’s determined face, undeviating as the released arrow from the bow. - resignation
the act of giving up, as a claim or office or possession
As quick as lightning he read Govinda’s soul, read the anxiety, theresignation. - utter
express in speech
Then his father said: "It is not seemly for Brahmins to utter forceful and angry words, but there is displeasure in my heart." - disillusionment
freeing from false belief
If you find disillusionment, come back, and we shall again offer sacrifices to the gods together. - sway
move back and forth
Siddhartha swayed as he tried to walk. - emerge
come out into view, as from concealment
As, with benumbed legs, he slowly left the still sleeping town at daybreak, a crouching shadow emerged from the last hut and joined the pilgrim. - pilgrim
someone who journeys to a sacred place as an act of devotion
As, with benumbed legs, he slowly left the still sleeping town at daybreak, a crouching shadow emerged from the last hut and joined the pilgrim. - allegiance
the act of binding yourself to a course of action
On the evening of that day they overtook the Samanas and requested their company and allegiance. - cloak
a loose outer garment
Siddhartha gave his clothes to a poor Brahmin on the road and only retained his loincloth and earth- colored unstitched cloak. - illusion
an act of deception, considered magical by naive observers
The drinker does indeed find escape, he does indeed find a short respite and rest, but he returns from the illusion and finds everything as it was before. - decay
the organic phenomenon of rotting
All were doomed to decay. - fierce
marked by extreme and violent energy
Silendy Siddhartha stood in the fierce sun’s rays, filled with pain and thirst, and stood until he no longer felt pain and thirst. - ulcer
an inflammatory lesion resulting in decay of tissue
Blood dripped from his smarting skin, ulcers formed, and Siddhartha remained stiff, motionless, till no more blood flowed, till there was no more pricking, no more smarting. - dismember
separate the limbs from the body
He became a dead jackal, lay on the shore, swelled, stank, decayed, was dismembered by hyenas. - chasm
a deep opening in the earth's surface
He waited with new thirst like a hunter at a chasm where the life cycle ends, where there is an end to causes, where painless eternity begins. - torment
intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
Siddhartha, again felt the torment of the onerous life cycle. - onerous
burdensome or difficult to endure
Siddhartha, again felt the torment of the onerous life cycle. - expedition
a journey organized for a particular purpose
Siddhartha asked at the beginning of one of these expeditions. - wretch
someone you feel sorry for
"How could you have learned meditation, holding of the breath and insensibility towards hunger and pain, with those wretches?” - palliative
remedy that alleviates pain without curing
It is a temporary palliative against the pain and folly of life. - folly
foolish or senseless behavior
It is a temporary palliative against the pain and folly of life. - respite
a pause from doing something
The drinker does indeed find escape, he does indeed find a shortrespite and rest, but he returns from the illusion and finds everything as it was before. - nirvana
the beatitude that transcends the cycle of reincarnation
And Siddhartha said: "He is sixty years old and has not attainedNirvana." - consolation
the act of giving relief in affliction
We find consolations, we learn tricks with which we deceive ourselves, but the essential thing—the way—we do not find.” - austere
of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
"How could it be that amongst so many learned men, amongst so many Brahmins, amongst so many austere and worthy Samanas, amongst so many seekers, so many devoted to the inner life, so many holy men, none will find the right way?” - jest
act in a funny or teasing way
In a soft, somewhat sad, somewhat jesting voice. - illustrious
widely known and esteemed
They heard from many sources a rumor, a report someone had appeared, called Gotama, the Illustrious, the Buddha. - disciple
one who believes and helps spread the doctrine of another
They saw Gotama return, saw him take his meal within the circle of hisdisciples. - ravage
cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly
Just as when a country is ravaged with the plague. - plague
any large-scale calamity
Just as when a country is ravaged with the plague. - afflicted
mentally or physically unfit
A learned man, whose words and breath are sufficient to heal theafflicted. - benefactor
a person who helps people or institutions
Many, however, immediately go on their way to seek the wise man, thebenefactor. - plunge
thrust or throw into
He had attained Nirvana and never returned on the cycle, he plungedno more into the troubled stream of forms. - idle
not in active use
His enemies and doubters, however, said that this Gotama was an idlefraud; he passed his days in high living, scorned the sacrifices, was unlearned and knew neither practices nor mortification of the flesh. - fraud
intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
His enemies and doubters, however, said that this Gotama was an idlefraud. - mortification
act of denying lusts of the flesh, especially by bodily pain
He passed his days in high living, scorned the sacrifices, was unlearned and knew neither practices nor mortification of the flesh. - indebted
owing gratitude to another for help or favors
This fruit, for which we are already indebted to Gotama, consists in the fact that he has enticed us away from the Samanas. - scold
show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
But the old man was angry that both young men wished to leave him and he raised his voice and scolded them strongly. - glaze
become glassy or take on a glass-like appearance
The old man became silent, his eyes glazed, his will crippled; his arms hung down, he was powerless under Siddhartha’s spell. - stammer
speak haltingly
And so the old man bowed several times, gave his blessings andstammered his wishes for a good journey. - abode
housing that someone is living in
Near the town was Gotama’s favorite abode, the Jetavana grove. - devotee
an ardent follower and admirer
A great devotee of the Illustrious One. - partake
consume
They partook of food and Siddhartha asked the lady who handed him the food. - sojourn
spend a certain length of time; reside temporarily
The woman said: "You have come to the right place, O Samanas from the forest The Illustrious One sojourns in Jetavana, in the garden of Anathapindika." - astound
affect with wonder
At sunrise they were astounded to see the large number of believers and curious people who had spent the night there. - unassuming
not arrogant
He saw him, bearing an alms bowl, quietly leaving the place, anunassuming man in a yellow cowL - countenance
the appearance conveyed by a person's face
The Buddha went quietly on his way, lost in thought His peacefulcountenance was neither happy nor sad. - demeanor
the way a person behaves toward other people
The two Samanas recognized him only by his complete peacefulness ofdemeanor. - counterfeit
a copy that is represented as the original
There was no seeking, no will, no counterfeit, no effort—only light and peace. - flaw
an imperfection in an object or machine
Govinda pressed his friend again and again to tell him why he would not follow the Buddha’s teachings, what flaw he found in them. - consent
permission to do something
Silently the Buddha nodded his consent. - coherent
marked by an orderly and consistent relation of parts
Surely every Brahmin’s heart must beat more quickly, when through your teachings he looks at the world, completely coherent, without a loophole. - exalted
of high moral or intellectual value
This shines clearly from your exalted teachings, O Perfect One. - doctrine
a belief accepted as authoritative by some group or school
That is your doctrine of rising above the world, of salvation. - thicket
a dense growth of bushes
Let me warn you, you who are thirsty for knowledge, against thethicket of opinions and the conflict of words. - quarrel
have a disagreement over something
I have not spoken to you thus to quarrel with you about words. - enlighten
give spiritual insight to
You have done so by your own seeking, in your own way, through thought through mediation, through knowledge, through enlightenment. - equanimity
steadiness of mind under stress
The Buddha’s eyes were lowered, his unfathomable face expressed complete equanimity. - relinquish
turn away from; give up
Do you think, O Samana from afar, that it would be better for all these to relinquish the teachings and to return to the life of the world and desires? - imperturbable
marked by extreme calm and composure
Half smiling, with imperturbable brightness and friendliness, the Buddha looked steadily at the stranger and dismissed him with a hardly visible gesture. - imprint
establish or impress firmly in the mind
The Buddha walked away and his look and half- smile remainedimprinted on Siddhartha’s memory forever. - restrained
marked by avoidance of extravagance or extremes
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. - candid
characterized by directness in manner or speech
I, also, would like to look and smile, sit and walk like that so free, so worthy, so restrained, so candid, so childlike and mysterious. - nucleus
the positively charged dense center of an atom
The nucleus of all things, Atman, Life, the Divine, the Absolute.
In context, the word simply means "center". - absolute
perfect or complete or pure
The nucleus of all things, Atman, Life, the Divine, the Absolute. - devote
dedicate
I will no longer devote my thoughts to Atman and the sorrows of the world. - mutilate
destroy or injure severely
I will no longer mutilate and destroy myself in order to find a secret behind the ruins. - asceticism
the doctrine of renunciation of worldly pleasures
I will no longer study Yoga-Veda, Atharva-Veda, or asceticism, or any other teachings. - aristocracy
a privileged class holding hereditary titles
He was no nobleman, belonging to any aristocracy, no artisan belonging to any guild and finding refuge in it, sharing its life and language. - artisan
a skilled worker who practices some trade or handicraft
He was no nobleman, belonging to any aristocracy, no artisanbelonging to any guild and finding refuge in it, sharing its life and language. - guild
a formal association of people with similar interests
He was no nobleman, belonging to any aristocracy, no artisan belonging to any guild and finding refuge in it, sharing its life and language. - secluded
hidden from general view or use
Even the most secluded hermit in the woods was not one and alone; he also belonged to a class of people.
- enthralled
filled with wonder and delight
Siddhartha learned something new on every step of his path, for the world was transformed and he was enthralled. - brook
a natural stream of water smaller than a river
He saw trees, stars, animals, clouds, rainbows, rocks, weeds, flowers,brook and river. - dew
water that has condensed on a cool surface overnight
He saw trees, stars, animals, clouds, rainbows, rocks, weeds, flowers, brook and river, the sparkle of dew on bushes in the morning. - fleeting
lasting for a markedly brief time
But in previous times all this had been nothing to Siddhartha but afleeting and illusive veil before his eyes. - ostracize
expel from a community or group
Regarded with distrust, condemned to be disregarded and ostracizedfrom the thoughts, because it was not reality. - linger
remain present although waning or gradually dying
But now his eyes lingered on this side; he saw and recognized the visible and he sought his place in this world. - flutter
flap the wings rapidly or fly with flapping movements
Swarms of young fishes, fluttering and glistening, moved anxiously away from it. - erudition
profound scholarly knowledge
No, this world of thought was still on this side, and it led to no goal when one destroyed the senses of the incidental Self but fed it with thoughts and erudition. - tarry
leave slowly and hesitantly
He would only strive after whatever the inward voice commanded him, not tarry anywhere but where the voice advised him. - intoxicate
make drunk (with alcoholic drinks)
It was intoxicating. - subservient
compliant and obedient to authority
All are subservient, all wish to be my friend, to obey and to think little. - benediction
a ceremonial prayer invoking divine protection
He called across a benediction, as is customary among travellers, and asked how far the road still was to the large town. - kindle
catch fire
Siddhartha felt his blood kindle. - stoop
sag, bend, bend over or down
He stooped a little towards the woman. - beckon
summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture
He beckoned the servant who was last in the procession, and asked him to announce to his mistress that a young Brahmin desired to speak to her. - trifle
something of small importance
Siddhartha has undertaken to achieve more difficult things than thesetrifles and has attained them. - apt
mentally quick and resourceful
You will find me an apt pupil, Kamala. - lure
provoke someone to do something through persuasion
How she mastered him, repulsed him, lured him, and how after this long kiss, a long series of other kisses, all different, awaited him. - circuitous
deviating from a straight course
Siddhartha was led away by the servant, conducted by a circuitousroute to a garden house. - indolent
disinclined to work or exertion
Kamaswami is beginning to grow old and indolent. - prudent
marked by sound judgment
Kamaswami came in, a supple, lively man, with graying hair, with clever, prudent eyes and a sensual mouth. - indifferent
marked by a lack of interest
He did, in fact, seem indifferent about business. - toil
work hard
He saw them toiling, saw them suffer and grow gray about things that to him did not seem worth the price. - elicit
call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
And many people came to him— many to trade with him, many to deceive him, many to listen to him, many to elicit his sympathy, many to listen to his advice. - submerged
beneath the surface of the water
Many of these he had retained; others were submerged and covered with dust. - disdain
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
He had always watched them a little scornfully, with a slightly mockingdisdain. - declivity
a downward slope or bend
Siddhartha wandered along a strange, twisted path of this last and most base declivity through the game of dice. - fervor
feelings of great warmth and intensity
Siddhartha began to play dice for money and jewels with increasingfervor. - squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away
He derived a passionate pleasure through the gambling away andsquandering of wretched money. - wretched
morally reprehensible
He derived a passionate pleasure through the gambling away and squandering of wretched money. - contempt
lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
In no other way could he show more clearly and mockingly hiscontempt for riches. - deity
a supernatural being worshipped as controlling the world
In no other way could he show more clearly and mockingly his contempt for riches, the false deity of businessmen. - oppressive
weighing heavily on the senses or spirit
He loved that anxiety, that terrible and oppressive anxiety which he experienced during the game of dice, during the suspense of high stakes. - satiated
supplied, especially fed, to satisfaction
In this feeling alone did he experience some kind of happiness, some kind of excitement, some heightened living in the midst of hissatiated, tepid, insipid existence. - tepid
feeling or showing little interest or enthusiasm
In the midst of his satiated, tepid, insipid existence. - insipid
lacking interest or significance or impact
Living in the midst of his satiated, tepid, insipid existence. - oblivion
total forgetfulness
Only at daybreak and at the first signs of activity outside his town house, did he doze off and had a few moments of semi-oblivion, a possibility of sleep. - desolate
crushed by grief
How flat and desolate his path had been! - ennui
the feeling of being bored by something tedious
He was full of ennui, full of misery, full of death; there was nothing left in the world that could attract him, that could give him pleasure and solace. - rejuvenate
make younger or more youthful
Never had a sleep so refreshed him, so renewed him, so rejuvenatedhim! - revered
profoundly honored
I was in search of Brahman and revered the eternal in Atman. - expiation
the act of atoning for sin or wrongdoing
As a young man I was attracted to expiation. - hoard
save up as for future use
I went and learned the pleasures of love from Kamala and business from Kamaswami I hoarded money. - deviation
a variation from the standard or norm
Is it not true, that slowly and through many deviations I changed from a man into a child? - hinder
prevent the progress or accomplishment of
Too much knowledge had hindered him. - futile
producing no result or effect
That was why he had to undergo those horrible years, suffer nausea, learn the lesson of the madness of an empty, futile life till the end. - pang
a sudden sharp feeling
Siddhartha rose, the pangs of hunger were becoming unbearable. - gnaw
bite or chew on with the teeth
Siddhartha thought yearningly and bitterly about his son, nursed his love and feeling of tenderness for him, let the pain gnaw at him, underwent all the follies of love. - sway
move back and forth
The rower smiled, swaying gently. - nuisance
anything that disturbs, endangers life, or is offensive
Will you accept these clothes from me, which I find a nuisance? - apprentice
someone who works for an expert to learn a trade
I should prefer it if you would give me some old clothes and keep me here as your assistant, or rather your apprentice. - perpetual
continuing forever or indefinitely
They both listened silently to the water, which to them was not just water, but the voice of life, the voice of Being, of perpetual Becoming. - pallid
lacking in vitality or interest or effectiveness
There was pain in her face; Siddhartha read the pain on her mouth, in her pallid face. - devotion
commitment to some purpose
But stronger than his knowledge was his love for the boy, hisdevotion, his fear of losing him. - pious
having or showing or expressing reverence for a deity
This father was a good man, a kind gentle man, perhaps a piousman, perhaps a holy man. - cunning
showing inventiveness and skill
That was the most hateful cunning of the old fox. - spite
hurt the feelings of
Just to spite you. - contemptuously
without respect; in a disdainful manner
He saw how he had arrogantly and contemptuously looked back on his Samana days, how he had proudly and eagerly begun his worldly life. - vitality
a healthy capacity for vigorous activity
He saw life, vitality, the indestructible and Brahman in all their desires and needs. - tenacity
persistent determination
These people were worthy of love and admiration in their blind loyalty, in their blind strength and tenacity. - verge
come close to
Siddhartha, in conflict with himself, verging on despair, and no less inclined to laugh aloud at himself and the whole world. - yearning
prolonged unfulfilled desire or need
It sang with yearning and sadness, flowing towards its goal. - benevolence
disposition to do good
He preached benevolence, forbearance, sympathy, patience—but not love. - forbearance
good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
He preached benevolence, forbearance, sympathy, patience—but not love. - presentiment
a feeling of evil to come
Although surprised, Govinda was compelled by a great love andpresentiment to obey him; he leaned close to him and touched his forehead with his lips. - trickle
run or flow slowly, as in drops or in an unsteady stream
Incontrollable tears trickled down his old face. - veneration
a feeling of profound respect for someone or something
He was overwhelmed by a feeling of great love, of the most humbleveneration.