He encouraged Siddhartha that they look for Gotama together and listen to his teachings. This surprised Siddhartha because he thought that Goatama will just always follow him. When Siddhartha told the Samana leaders that he and Govinda will be leaving, the leaders scolded them but Siddhartha showed them that what he has learned from them by looking intently at the master and hypnotizing him. Siddhartha's spiritual journey continued further when he and Govinda went in search of Gotama. When they found him and heard him preach, they were in awe. However, Siddhartha took more notice with Gotama's demeanor more than his teachings. He saw the peace and holiness in the way Gotama looks and the way he conducts himself. Govinda's suggestion to look for Gotama was significant in Siddhartha's journey in this sense. Without his urging, Siddhartha would not have felt and realized what he did upon seeing and talking to Gotama. Govinda decided to follow Gotama after hearing his teachings. Siddhartha praised Govinda for his decision but decides not to join. This really made Govinda sad but he let Siddhartha go. This was the turning point of Govinda and Siddhartha's friendship. They parted ways and chose different paths to continue on their spiritual journey.

Siddhartha continued his journey after realizing that in order to progress he needs to learn from himself. He felt he no longer needed teachers to teach him but he felt the need to be his own pupil. He no longer saw the world as an illusion but as a reality. He met Kamala during this time, a beautiful courtesan who taught him about love and sensual pleasures. Kamala was instrumental in Siddhartha's introduction to Kamaswami, a businessman through whom Siddhartha was able to earn money and become a rich man. Siddhartha wanted to be rich to spend more time with Kamala. He helped Kamaswami in his businesses.

At first Siddhartha took joy in observing people, he didn't feel like he belonged with them, and he was amused...

But later on, Siddhartha got caught in the web of materialism as he became a rich man. He gambled his money and he was no longer the Siddhartha who was kind. He woke up one day and realized how far he has strayed from his journey and he decided to leave behind the life he lived. He accidentally met Govinda again but because of the changes that happened to him, Govinda didn't recognize him anymore. This was evidence of how Siddhartha has changed physically and how Govinda has changed as well. When they parted ways, Siddhartha decided to stay by the river where he became reunited with the fisherman, Vasuveda.
Siddhartha learned a lot from the river and from Vasuveda. One time, he met Kamala again and recognized Kamala's son as his own. When Kamala died, his son stayed with him but he was unlike Siddhartha. The son left and Siddhartha felt very sad but he later learned to accept and understand when he listened to the river and finally reached an understanding that his pain went away. Govinda sought him when they were both old but he wasn't able to recognize Siddhartha again. Govinda still haven't found peace even though he has followed Gotama's teaching. Siddhartha showed him and Govinda realized that his friend is holy.

Throughout Siddhartha's spiritual journey, Govinda played a key role. Govinda was a follower of Siddhartha. He believed him, admired him and wanted to be like him. Through Govinda, Siddhartha was able to track his progress in the many points along his journey beginning from deciding to be with the Samanas to leaving the Samanas. He was also there when Siddhartha left to learn on his own. He accidentally met Siddhartha after Siddhartha realized that he has been consumed by worldly worries and have decided to carry on with his journey by being himself. And finally, Govinda was also there at the end where Siddhartha's wisdom is revealed.

Reference

Hesse, Herman. Siddhartha. London: Picador, 1973.