Siddhartha is a Sanskrit word, made up of two words, Siddha (achieved) and Artha (what was searched for). Thus Siddhartha means, ‘the one who has achieved his goals’ or ‘the one who has identified the meaning of existence’. Siddhartha is called Buddha, Gotama or Gautama Buddha. Before his renunciation, Siddhartha’s name was Siddhartha Gautama. Though born a prince Gautama Budhha was a troubled soul who was disturbed by the misery he saw around him. He left his palace to seek answers.
Siddharta is revered to the one who was awakened and is a holy being. Siddharta along with other deities is revered outside India during festivals. Buddha is mentioned in various epics like Vishnu Purana, Harivamsa, Agni Purana, Bhagavata Purana, Garuda Purana, Padma Purana, Linga Purana and Naradiya Purana.
Gautam Buddha asserts in Buddhism that there is no permanent soul or self in living beings and everything is impermanent. The concept of birth was taught and endorsed by Buddha. It is believed that beings undergo a number of lifetimes, in succession as one of the many possible forms of sentient life, with each of them moving from conception, right up to death.
Siddharta was born around c.480 BCE at Lumbini Shakya Republic and died in c.400 BCE at 80 years of age at Kushinagar, Malla Republic – according to Buddhist tradition. His spouse was Yasodhara and Rahula was his child. His parents were Maya Devi (mother) and Suddhodana (father). Siddharta was the founder of Buddhism. Siddharta is also called Shakyamuni, ‘The Sage of the Shakyas’.
