Transition into a Third Stage

Siddhartha's epiphany that marks the entrance into the third part of the novel consists of the entity of "Om" permeating into his being by the river. Om makes him realize that there is still hope for enlightenment and that suicide is not the answer. The river and Om are symbols of another one of Siddhartha's rebirths into a new state of being- a state of joy. Siddhartha is a new man who has emerged stronger from his past mistakes. He "was transitory, all forms were transitory, but today he was young, he was a child--the new Siddhartha--and he was very happy" (100). Although Siddhartha has learned from his past journeys through asceticism and pleasure, he has not achieved an ultimate awakening, and he thus starts another cycle in his journey trying to find a balance between the two in his life on the river with Vasuveda. The chapter "By the River" thus serves as a transition chapter into Siddhartha's third stage in his process toward enlightenment. This new tranquil life as a ferryman teaches Siddhartha many lessons, including how to listen with an open mind and heart, time does not exist, and the river echoes a potpourri of voices that result in Om when put together.