- Brahmanism is an early form of Hinduism which teaches its followers to emanate the verses of the Rig-Veda. Siddhartha mediates, recites Om, and performs ablutions before praying.
- Siddhartha means “he who has accomplished all wishes”. He is loved by his father because Siddhartha is intelligent and thirsts for knowledge while he is loved by his mother because he is strong, handsome, supple-limbed and graceful. Govinda loved Siddhartha for everything he did and said.
- Ascetics is a way of life that refrains from all of life’s pleasures. The Samanas are the group that ascetics belong to; Siddhartha he feels discontent because he does not believe that he can reach enlightenment if he stays with the Brahman.
- Siddhartha asks his father’s permission and does not move from his side until his father reluctantly allows him to go.
- Siddhartha’s father does not find true bliss as a Brahman because he says “If you find bliss in the forest, come back and teach it to me. If you find disillusionment, come back, and we shall again offer sacrifices to the gods together.”
- Govinda literally means “cow protector” in Hindu; although the title may seem odd, the cow in Hinduism is a sacred vessel. When Govinda learns of Siddhartha’s determination to become an ascetic, he realizes that his friend will leave him behind.
- Siddhartha learns existence is suffering when he joins the Samanas. With them, he relinquishes all his worldly possessions and realizes that existence is suffering because the suffering is derived from desires. Through this realization he learns how to fast, tolerate extreme weather and pain.
- Siddhartha wanted to become empty of thirst, desire, dreams, pleasure and sorrow so he could experience pure thought. When the desires and passions were silent, then his inner being would awaken.
- Through intense meditation and self denial, Siddhartha fasts and endures pain to achieve an eternity free of sorrow, but he only does so momentarily.
- Siddhartha learns to lose the Self through the method of self-dissolution through pain and mediation. He abstains from worldly comforts and tolerates suffering to lose the Self.
- Govinda is described by various names; he is called Siddhartha’s shadow, loyal companion and later on the seeker. Govinda is only a follower of Siddhartha for he will never achieve internal peace. He does not have characteristics of a leader; therefore, Govinda is merely shown as a weaker character.
