Siddhartha written by Hermann Hesse is a colorful and rich novel about the search for self-knowledge. Siddhartha, the handsome son of a Brahmin, was on the journey "to find the way to himself," and obtain nirvana. Siddhartha take many paths before he reaches enlightenment. In the beginning of the novel he separates from his family to go live in the woods with the Samanas. There he learned three noble and invincible arts: fasting, waiting, and thinking. Through these arts Siddhartha and Govinda, his best friend and follower, were able to meditate, and aquire self-knowledge. After living with the Samanas the two men traveled to see the Buddah, and learn from his teaching of how to "find salvation." Govinda stayed with Gautma to become a follower and a monk. Siddartha did not gain much from Gautma's teachings so he departed reflecting "deeply as he went on his way." .
Siddhartha "realized that he was no longer a youth; he was now a man." He was seeking Brahman, Atman, he wished to destroy himself in order to find in the unknown innermost, the nucleus of all things, Atman, Life, the Divine, the Absolute. Siddhartha learned something new on every step of his path. He came across a grove where he meet the beautiful Kamala. She told the Samana that, "he was not yet good enough. He must have cloths, fine cloths, and shoes, fine shoes, and plenty of money I in his purse and presents for Kamala." To accommodate Kamala, Siddhartha went and received a job from one of the most respected merchants. While he was satisfying Kamala he learned the art of love, but he lost his self confidence because he was converting himself into a self-centered society. "His heart became full of misery, he felt he could no longer endure it." At the same time Siddhartha had a dream that the Kamala's songbird lay stiff on the floor of its cage. The bird is symbolic of Siddhartha, who had been caged by the requests of Kamala.