Mankuthimmana KaggaLu

One of the literary works that influenced me most during my childhood was Mankuthimmana KaggaLu (translates to Dull Thimanna's Rigmarole) by D V Gundappa and explained by Swami Brahmanandha from Chinmaya Mission Bangalore, both in Kannada. I can say that I literally grew up listening to these Kaggas and their commentaries during my high-school days in Ahmedabad. These Kaggas have had a significant influence on my thoughts, my mindset and the way I see the world, and have stayed with me deeply rooted in my mind and heart ever since. These Kaggas have been with me through days of happiness and sorrow, ease and difficulties, and health and illness.

These Kaggas were first introduced to me as audio cassettes recordings sung and explained by Swamiji, and listening these tapes every night before sleep had invariably become the norm during my high school days. There were four volumes and I repeatedly listened to these one after the other each night. Obviously you can say that the Kaggas had been memorised by heart. The main thing that struck me about these Kaggas were their simplicity and applicability to practical day to day life. Following is a famous Kagga that is often quoted:

Hullaagu BettadaDi, manege malligeyaagu
Kallaagu kashtagaLa maLe vidhi suriye
Bella sakkareyaagu deena durbalaringe
EllaroLagondaagu Mankuthimma

which translates in English to:

Be as grass on the hills, jasmine to the house
Be a rock when fate pours torrential rains on you
Be jaggery-sugar to the poor
Be one among all, Mankuthimma

and means:

Be as gentle and common as grass on the hills (useful to all the grazing animals), spread your fragnance everywhere as a jasmine flower to the house
Be strong as a rock when fate brings difficulties
But be kind to the poor and helpless
Be humble to everyone and one among all, Mankuthimma.