Siddhartha · Character

The Samanas

A group of ascetic wanderers with whom Siddhartha and Govinda live for a time.

minor

Also known as the skinny Samanas, old Samanas

First appearance: With the Samanas

The Samanas shows up with force in The Son of the Brahmin. The page is where that presence becomes real.

Ascetic pilgrims who pass through town.

In the storyThe Son of the BrahminOpen this moment free

See The Samanas in The Son of the Brahmin Book page

Free preview opens at this moment — character cards, Character Web, and themes sit beside the text as you read.

In The Son of the Brahmin: Ascetic pilgrims who pass through town. Their aura of intense self-denial and passion inspires Siddhartha's decision to leave his current life. Later, in With the Samanas: Represent the…

Continue beside the text

The fuller portrait of The Samanas sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See The Samanas in With the Samanas

Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point

This is the emotional and philosophical peak where Siddhartha, now fully realized, directly challenges Govinda…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

Follow the arc while reading

In the story

The Samanas appears across 8 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Son of the Brahmin
Ascetic pilgrims who pass through town. Their aura of intense self-denial and passion inspires Siddhartha's decision to leave his current life.
With the Samanas
Represent the ascetic path Siddhartha rejects. Their oldest teacher is shown to be advanced in years but not enlightened, and Siddhartha hypnotizes him to secure their departure.
Awakening
Referenced as a caste Siddhartha no longer belongs to, highlighting his complete break from asceticism.
Kamala
Referenced as Siddhartha's past life. He credits them with teaching him the disciplines of thinking, waiting, and fasting, which he now applies to worldly aims.
With the Childlike People
Referenced as the group Siddhartha came from. Their teachings of fasting, waiting, and thinking give him an advantage in the merchant's world and define his detached viewpoint.
Sansara
Their teachings of asceticism, thinking, and fasting initially guide Siddhartha's life in the world but are slowly submerged and forgotten.
By the River
Recalled by Siddhartha as a phase where he tried to kill his self through fasting and penance, a self that only retreated and grew.
The Son
Siddhartha sees monks in yellow robes in Kamala's garden, which triggers a recollection of his own past as a young Samana.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for The Samanas unlock in the free preview.

See The Samanas in With the Samanas

See The Samanas in The Son of the Brahmin