The book /Novel: Siddhartha
The ultimate spiritual goal of Siddhartha was achieved after he endured the pains of loosing his
son to the City life; and accepting to console himself by listening and watching the knowledge of the river. Then he achieved the state of inner-peace, (Nirvana) which is spiritual enlightenment.
This was noticed by Govinda at their final reunion and ..." Govinda stood yet a while bending over Siddhartha’s peaceful face which he had just kissed, which had just been the stage of all present and future forms. His countenance was unchanged after the mirror of the thousand-fold forms had disappeared from the surface. He smiled peacefully and gently, perhaps very graciously, perhaps very mockingly, exactly as the Illustrious One had smiled."
This passages shows that Siddhartha had finally arrived at his quest for highest spiritual enlightenment with his face that had changed to that of Gotama; however, there is another symbols that showed attainment of inner-peace and fulfillment - the peaceful smile. This an evidence that he had arrived at Nirvana by communication without talk or words but by smile just like Gotama did when Siddhartha had confrontation with me before his departure as his follower. Vasudeva Siddhartha mentor to the river path way of final spiritual enlightenment also smile.
Also, this passages show how he demonstrated art of love to transfer instant state of spiritual fulfillment to his childhood friend and follower (kind of), Govinda through a love kiss.
I chose this passage because is the height of his spiritual satisfaction that he had been seeking all his life. It's a climax of events the novel. He eventually arrived at his ultimate goal with attributes of that qualified him for spiritual enlightenment like love, self-denial, inner-peace (OM), denial of material things, smiles and being a ferry man to guide others to their inner-spiritual enlightenment.
