Siddhartha: Kamala Feraco Search for Human Potential 3 October 2012

“Kamala” begins with Siddhartha heading for the river, marveling at the sight of the very things which had always lain within his vision yet never been seen for what they were. “Kamala” begins with Siddhartha heading for the river, marveling at the sight of the very things which had always lain within his vision yet never been seen for what they were. He resolves to see the beauty in things, and to gain experience for himself; now that he has forsaken teachings, it’s the only kind of educator he can tolerate. He resolves to see the beauty in things, and to gain experience for himself; now that he has forsaken teachings, it’s the only kind of educator he can tolerate.

“Both thought and senses were fine things, behind both of them lay hidden the last meaning; it was worthwhile listening to them both, to play with both, neither to despise nor overrate either of them, but to listen intently to both voices. He would only strive after whatever the inward voice commanded him, not tarry anywhere but where the voice advised him…To obey no other external command, only the voice, to be prepared – that was good, that was necessary. Nothing else was necessary.” “Both thought and senses were fine things, behind both of them lay hidden the last meaning; it was worthwhile listening to them both, to play with both, neither to despise nor overrate either of them, but to listen intently to both voices. He would only strive after whatever the inward voice commanded him, not tarry anywhere but where the voice advised him…To obey no other external command, only the voice, to be prepared – that was good, that was necessary. Nothing else was necessary.” Be careful! To follow the inner voice is good…as long as your inner voice doesn’t betray you. Be careful! To follow the inner voice is good…as long as your inner voice doesn’t betray you. Siddhartha’s has been good to him…for now. Siddhartha’s has been good to him…for now.

While it occurs during one of the most awkward sexual scenes ever committed to print, notice that Siddhartha controls himself when he meets the River Girl. While it occurs during one of the most awkward sexual scenes ever committed to print, notice that Siddhartha controls himself when he meets the River Girl. If Kamala symbolizes desire and passion, she does so while mixed with intelligence. If Kamala symbolizes desire and passion, she does so while mixed with intelligence. The River Girl, on the other hand, represents wanton lust – unfocused fire that’s only enjoyable in the here and now, the ultimate form of suffering-causing desire. The River Girl, on the other hand, represents wanton lust – unfocused fire that’s only enjoyable in the here and now, the ultimate form of suffering-causing desire. One cannot live as children do and hope to reach enlightenment; one cannot follow one’s impulses blindly and not be blinded by them. One cannot live as children do and hope to reach enlightenment; one cannot follow one’s impulses blindly and not be blinded by them.

Thus Siddhartha sizes up the River Girl and quickly casts her aside, choosing to pursue Kamala (the adult version of desire and passion: controlled, thoughtful, studied, and technical) instead. Thus Siddhartha sizes up the River Girl and quickly casts her aside, choosing to pursue Kamala (the adult version of desire and passion: controlled, thoughtful, studied, and technical) instead. He can resist desire, but decides to become its student instead. He can resist desire, but decides to become its student instead. Whether this is ultimately a mistake is something you can consider while writing your lecture! Whether this is ultimately a mistake is something you can consider while writing your lecture!

Kamala isn’t a prostitute – really, there’s nothing in Western culture that’s analogous to the powerful, respected role she plays here – but she represents a central problem: the conflation of desire with love. Kamala isn’t a prostitute – really, there’s nothing in Western culture that’s analogous to the powerful, respected role she plays here – but she represents a central problem: the conflation of desire with love. Desire is one of love’s components, but it’s not an adequate substitute. Desire is one of love’s components, but it’s not an adequate substitute. Kamala herself bears this out, as she forms an emotional bond with Siddhartha (albeit one that’s insufficiently reciprocated); when it stops being a game, the consequences matter far more than she anticipates. Kamala herself bears this out, as she forms an emotional bond with Siddhartha (albeit one that’s insufficiently reciprocated); when it stops being a game, the consequences matter far more than she anticipates.

Kamala’s also noteworthy because she essentially goes toe- to-toe with Siddhartha in their initial conversation. Kamala’s also noteworthy because she essentially goes toe- to-toe with Siddhartha in their initial conversation. Few others hold themselves as Siddhartha’s equal, and this boldness piques his interest. Few others hold themselves as Siddhartha’s equal, and this boldness piques his interest. Soon, he’s switching around his identity – his hair, his clothes, etc. – and she’s intrigued not just by his single-mindedness, but by his ability to read and write (marketable skills in the town). Soon, he’s switching around his identity – his hair, his clothes, etc. – and she’s intrigued not just by his single-mindedness, but by his ability to read and write (marketable skills in the town).

Success is within Siddhartha’s grasp, as shown by the kiss Kamala gives him. Success is within Siddhartha’s grasp, as shown by the kiss Kamala gives him. Now he just needs to take it, and he tells her he intends to in his “stone through the water” speech; he’s essentially made his own luck thus far because he knows how to “think, wait, and fast.” Now he just needs to take it, and he tells her he intends to in his “stone through the water” speech; he’s essentially made his own luck thus far because he knows how to “think, wait, and fast.” These are, of course, the three skills he’ll forget by the time he reaches middle age (the “Samsara” chapter). These are, of course, the three skills he’ll forget by the time he reaches middle age (the “Samsara” chapter).

The kiss Kamala gives transmits pleasure, but not love; it’s an incomplete thing. The kiss Kamala gives transmits pleasure, but not love; it’s an incomplete thing. As Kamala says, her kiss is “the reason [she is] not lacking in clothes, shoes, bangles, and other pretty things”: she’s mastered one aspect of the material world, and in return she’s been granted access to the rest of it. As Kamala says, her kiss is “the reason [she is] not lacking in clothes, shoes, bangles, and other pretty things”: she’s mastered one aspect of the material world, and in return she’s been granted access to the rest of it. It’s the immaterial world that poses the challenge – a challenge that Kamala ultimately proves she isn’t ready to handle. It’s the immaterial world that poses the challenge – a challenge that Kamala ultimately proves she isn’t ready to handle.

Right now, Siddhartha just needs to master the material world to win her heart – and for that, he’ll have Kamaswami. Right now, Siddhartha just needs to master the material world to win her heart – and for that, he’ll have Kamaswami. “Soon I will be a merchant and have money and all those things which you value…May my glance always please you, may good fortune always come to me from you!” “Soon I will be a merchant and have money and all those things which you value…May my glance always please you, may good fortune always come to me from you!”

Then there’s the Govinda dream. Then there’s the Govinda dream. It’s one of the odder parts of the text, marking the way everything Siddhartha has ever known has already subtly begun changing. It’s one of the odder parts of the text, marking the way everything Siddhartha has ever known has already subtly begun changing. He’s no longer as opposed to the sensory world (maya! desire!) as he once was. He’s no longer as opposed to the sensory world (maya! desire!) as he once was. Note again that he’s still in control – he’s a long way from losing himself in these things. Note again that he’s still in control – he’s a long way from losing himself in these things.

Here, as elsewhere, there’s a rudimentary recognition of the interconnectedness of everything – “it tasted of woman and man, of sun and forest, of animal and flower, of every fruit, of every pleasure. Here, as elsewhere, there’s a rudimentary recognition of the interconnectedness of everything – “it tasted of woman and man, of sun and forest, of animal and flower, of every fruit, of every pleasure. As for why it’s Govinda in the dream (besides the fact that he’s the most powerful figure in Siddhartha’s life), there’s a foreshadowing justification. As for why it’s Govinda in the dream (besides the fact that he’s the most powerful figure in Siddhartha’s life), there’s a foreshadowing justification. Siddhartha will “nurse” Govinda’s quest for enlightenment someday, just as Govinda will “midwife” his rebirth in “By the River.” Siddhartha will “nurse” Govinda’s quest for enlightenment someday, just as Govinda will “midwife” his rebirth in “By the River.”

Another important character, Vasudeva, first appears here as well, although he’s four chapters away from receiving a name. Another important character, Vasudeva, first appears here as well, although he’s four chapters away from receiving a name. He hints that one can learn everything by studying the river, and tells Siddhartha that “everything comes back. You, too, will come back.” He hints that one can learn everything by studying the river, and tells Siddhartha that “everything comes back. You, too, will come back.” Will we? Will we?

Siddhartha fundamentally misjudges Vasudeva when he compares him to Govinda, and in turn all of the others: “All are subservient, all wish to be my friend, to obey and to think little. People are children.” Siddhartha fundamentally misjudges Vasudeva when he compares him to Govinda, and in turn all of the others: “All are subservient, all wish to be my friend, to obey and to think little. People are children.” It’s one of the most egregious misreads he could have possibly made, and it conveniently indicates just how little Siddhartha really understands at this point of his life…which is fine. It’s one of the most egregious misreads he could have possibly made, and it conveniently indicates just how little Siddhartha really understands at this point of his life…which is fine. Progress awaits! Progress awaits!