" .
Odysseus, similarly, is a king, the son of a heroic father, when he leaves for war. Successful in war, too, he now must return home.
While a feeling of something lacking in everyday life inspires Siddhartha's journey, Odysseus seeks to regain what he has lost "a home life with his wife and son. Odysseus's journey will ultimately unite him with his family; and Siddhartha's, comparably, to his own Self. .
The transformation of consciousness (which, Campbell declares, is the reason for the hero's journey) is accomplished through trials themselves or illuminating revelations. .
Odysseus's trials consist primarily of temptations to distract him from his goal. The Goddess, Calypso, exemplifies this when she coerces him to spend seven years on her island, giving him the option to live with her eternally. He, finally, refuses her offer, saying:.
" I wish "yes, every day I long "to travel home and see the day of my return. And if again one of the gods shall wreck me on the wine-dark sea, I will be patient still, bearing within my breast a heart well-tried with trouble; for in times past much have I borne and much have toiled, in waves and war; to that, let this be added." The Odyssey, [V. 215] .
This declaration represents a decision, one that Odysseus must make several times throughout his journey, to steadfastly adhere to his goal to return home. .
Siddhartha becomes a Samana when he leaves his father's home. He leaves this lifestyle, however, upon the realization that asceticism is rejection of the self "not self-mastery. He informs his friend: .
"Govinda," "I believe that amongst all the Samanas, probably not even one will attain Nirvana. We find consolations; we learn tricks to deceive ourselves, but the essential thing "the way "we do not find I suffer thirst, Govinda, and on this long Samana path my thirst has not grown less.".
Siddhartha, p. 18.
The motif of a metaphorical death contributes to the necessary transformation of consciousness found in myths.