Siddhartha practiced extreme asceticism for six years. After leaving his sheltered palace life, he joined other seekers and pursued increasingly severe forms of self-denial near Uruvela, in the region of present-day Bodh Gaya.
The traditions describe fasting, breath control, exposure to hardship, and other practices intended to conquer bodily desire. Siddhartha became dangerously emaciated, but these methods did not produce awakening. His five companions believed he had abandoned the spiritual quest when he accepted nourishment.
The turning point came when Siddhartha rejected both luxury and self-mortification. He recalled a peaceful meditative experience from childhood and recognized a balanced approach later called the Middle Way. After regaining strength, he meditated beneath the Bodhi tree and attained enlightenment.
The six-year figure belongs to the traditional biography and is often confused with the entire period of Siddhartha’s spiritual search, which also included study under teachers such as Alara Kalama and Uddaka Ramaputta.