The Love of Kamala and Siddhartha

Kamala and Siddhartha's love moves from craft and pleasure to mutual understanding and a quiet deathbed reunion.

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

The Kiss for a Poem

The Kiss for a Poem Context Siddhartha recites a poem to Kamala and receives a long kiss in payment, amazed by her skill. Beginnings Their relationship begins as an exchange of art and desire, not as surrender. Meaning The kiss starts Siddhartha's education in love as a craft.

Learning the Games of Love

Learning the Games of Love Context Kamala teaches Siddhartha thirty or forty love games, and he becomes her best student. Intimacy They also become friends, sharing thoughts and advice beyond the physical arts. Meaning Their bond is pleasurable but never fully passionate on his side.

Confession of Not Loving

Confession of Not Loving Context Kamala tells Siddhartha he does not love her and that he has remained a Samana inside. Agreement Siddhartha says people like them cannot love; only childlike people can. Meaning This painful honesty marks the limit of their relationship.

The Passionate Farewell

The Passionate Farewell Context Kamala speaks of following the Buddha, then makes love with painful fervor, as if squeezing the last sweetness from pleasure. Foreboding Siddhartha sees age and fear written in her face, and he leaves with a heavy heart. Meaning The farewell carries an unconscious prophecy of their final reunion.

Recognition at Death

Recognition at Death Context Kamala wakes from the poison to see Siddhartha bending over her and recognizes the young Samana in his gray face. Peace She asks if he has found peace, then says she too will find it, and dies looking into his eyes. Meaning Their love is consummated in a shared death-room glimpse of eternity.

on the first visit to Kamala's grove

over the years in Kamala's house

after a conversation in Kamala's room

the evening before Siddhartha's dream of the dead bird

in the ferryman's hut after the snakebite