008. BY THE RIVER

Summary

• Siddhartha, having learned much from his journey and now sees and appreciates the world and its beauty - the sun, moon, stars, animals, trees, rivers, and so on. His perspective has shifted and he no longer seeks a world beyond; instead, he seeks to be at home in the visible world, he is experiencing himself.
• On his journey, he remembers the teachings of Gotama, the Buddha, and the farewell from Govinda. He realizes that he has now come to experience what he had told Gotama: the truth is not in the teachings, but in the unexplainable and unteachable experiences. The essence of existence is not captured by thought, but by experience.
• He spends a night at a ferryman's hut by the river. He dreams of his friend Govinda who transforms into a woman from whom Siddhartha drinks milk.
• In the morning, the ferryman takes him across the river, and he describes it as beautiful. The ferryman tells Siddhartha that one can learn much from a river.
• Siddhartha continues his journey and enters a village where he encounters a playful and alluring young woman. She attempts to seduce him, but he resists and leaves.
• He reaches the city and sees a group with a woman sitting in an ornamental sedan-chair, who is introduced as Kamala, a famous courtesan. Intrigued, Siddhartha decides to seek her out.
• With the help of Kamala's maid, Siddhartha is able to meet with her and he asks her to teach him about love. Kamala is amused and challenges him to earn money, fine clothes and shoes first.
• He begins to integrate into city life, he gets his beard shaved and hair combed and oiled. Siddhartha decides to stop begging for food after Kamala's challenge, he resolves to earn what he needs and he discovers the simplicity and ease of life in the city.
• He finds Kamala’s home and arranges to meet with her. In order to earn her favour, he tells her he’s capable of thinking, waiting, and fasting. Kamala promises to help him gain the wealth necessary to win her over and suggests he seek work with Kamaswami, a wealthy merchant.
• He kisses Kamala and immediately feels a new desire stirring inside him. Kamala is impressed and instructs him in the art of lovemaking, promising they will have a long and varied romantic relationship.
• Siddhartha leaves Kamala's place, he is given new clothes and asked to leave without being seen. He finds a place to rest for the night and the next morning, he goes around asking for leftovers after practicing the ascetic way of life.
• Kamala arranges for Siddhartha to meet Kamaswami and Siddhartha impresses the merchant with his calm demeanor, confidence and skills in reading and writing. He successfully secures employment and begins his new life in the city, striving to win Kamala's affection and learn the art of love from her.