Vasudeva: The Father Figure Completing the Initiation Phase
Vasudeva is first introduced early on in Siddhartha’s journey for enlightenment. Initially, he is only mentioned in passing as an insignificant ferryman. However, in the final stages of Siddhartha’s journey, he is reintroduced as an ambiguous supernatural aid and father figure. While Vasudeva’s exact classification remains up to interpretation, he undoubtedly plays a major role in Siddhartha’s ultimate enlightenment. Siddhartha remains adamant that enlightenment must be obtained through self-exploration and cannot be taught, yet Vasudeva is undoubtedly a teacher in some capacity. Though he does not teach enlightenment itself, he introduces Siddhartha to the wisdom of the river and reveals various frameworks for becoming at peace with oneself.
When Siddhartha first meets Vasudeva, has already abandoned his life as a Samana and is departing from the Buddha’s garden of Jetavana. Vasudeva is mentioned only briefly, and very few of his characteristics are revealed. Even his name is concealed, as he is simply referred to as the ferryman. To an unaware reader, the ferryman appears to be a normal side character. However, Vasudeva’s limited dialogue hints at his wisdom and deep understanding of the cycles of life. He professes his appreciation of the river, saying “‘a very beautiful river, I love it more than anything. Often I have listened to it, often I have looked into its eyes, and always I have learned from it. Much can be learned from a river’” (Hesse 44). This statement is the first revelation of his connection with the omniscient river, the same river which ultimately guides Siddhartha to enlightenment. In the same conversation with Siddhartha, Vasudeva says that he does not require payment for his ferrying services because “‘You [Siddhartha] will give me this gift [payment] another time’” (Hesse 44). This seemingly benign statement subtly hints at Vasudeva’s foresight of Siddhartha’s inevitable return. Interestingly, following his encounter with the insightful ferryman, Siddhartha thinks haughtily to himself that “‘All [people] are submissive, all would like to be friends, like to obey, think little. Like children are all people’” (Hesse 45). Siddhartha’s arrogant thoughts betray his ignorance and inability to recognize Vasudeva’s wisdom or enlightenment.
Siddhartha progressed through a full “cycle” of life as a rich man before fulfilling Vasudeva’s prediction and returning to the ferryman’s domain. Following a near encounter with death, Siddhartha is taken in by Vasudeva as a pseudo-disciple. Vasudeva recognizes Siddhartha’s quest for enlightenment, giving him guidance in the form of sporadic advice, and most importantly teaching how to listen to the river. After living with Vasudeva for a period of time, Siddhartha observes that “more than Vasudeva could teach him, he was taught by the river. Incessantly, he learned from it. Most of all, he learned from it to listen” (Hesse 94). This relationship with Vasudeva and the river plays a major role in Siddhartha’s atonement with the father and apotheosis steps of his hero's journey. The atonement with the father is seen in Siddhartha’s struggle to reconcile his past self (his son) and his future self (Vasudeva). Ultimately, the river serves as the force that brings about his Apotheosis—his definitive encounter with the river in which he hears the om and the oneness of the world.
Finally, upon achieving his apotheosis, Siddhartha is brought to his ultimate boon in his final encounter with Vasudeva. In a confirmation of Vasudeva’s role as a father figure / future Siddhartha, Vasudeva recognizes Siddhartha’s enlightened state “when he looked into Siddhartha’s eyes and saw the cheerfulness of the knowledge shining in them, he softly touched his shoulder with his hand, in this careful and tender manner, and said ‘I’ve been waiting for this hour, my dear. Now that it has come, let me leave’” (Hesse 120). Vasudeva, revealed to be an enlightened figure himself, acknowledging Siddhartha’s enlightenment legitimizes the achievement of his ultimate life goal. Thus Siddhartha reaches his ultimate boon, attaining the objective that he has striven for throughout his many life cycles. Vasudeva’s immediate departure upon perceiving the enlightenment solidifies his place as a father figure and teacher. Guiding Siddhartha was his ultimate goal, and upon achieving that goal he allows himself to depart and dissipate into the world.
I hadn't considered Siddhartha's interaction with Vasudeva when he had known his as merely a ferryman, but the words from Vasudeva hinted at his ultimate enlightenment. Vasudeva already knew that Siddhartha would return, sensing that he would be searching for a further step of enlightenment. It seems as though enlightenment was only a partial goal for Vasudeva though, as he insisted on living to see Siddhartha reach the same stage and then passed away. I do wonder if this means he in fact did reach enlightenment, because once enlightenment is done, doesn't one no longer hold any goals binding them to a moral life.
ReplyDeleteVasudeva's recurring appearance, as well as the river, lend themselves to a variety of interpretations--as guardians, thresholds, and guides. The apparent paradox between enlightenment being something found only by yourself, and the apparent necessity of teachers and guides like Vasudeva, is something that encapsulates what could be perceived as the "moral" or "lesson learned" in the story. Ultimately, to achieve enlightenment, as you state, Siddhartha must discard his ego, the barrier preventing himself from realizing enlightenment. Thus, although Vasudeva--and others--were necessary to achieve Nirvana, I would argue that they served more as guides than teachers, with the subtlety of the distinction.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your interpretation of Vasudeva in the story and his impact on Siddhartha's life. After wandering, Siddhartha sought Vasudeva out and he taught him how to learn from the river. While Siddhartha's experiences were important to his eventual boon, Vasudeva's guidance was vital as well. Additionally, I agree that his true goal was to lead Siddhartha to enlightenment and that once he did that, Vasudeva was satisfied with his life. Nice job.
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