This classic novel of self-discovery, set in India during the lifetime of the historic Buddha, has inspired generations of spiritual seekers. The tale of a young Brahman's quest for the ultimate reality follows his spiritual journey- from the extremes of indulgence and sensuality to the rigors of asceticism and self-denial. Ultimately he learns that wisdom cannot be taught - it must come from one's own experience and inner struggle. Told in an evocative, symbolic style that gives the story a sense of the timeless, the novel is admired for its engaging prose, human sympathy, imagination, and ironic humor.