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Mankuthimmana Kagga
English translation of Verses 1 - 100

!ನ#ಭವದ 'ಗರ, *+,ಶ./ ಮಂದರ |

ದೃಢ456 78., ಉತ/ಮ#ತ/ಮ ಮ;< ||
ಸ>ದ?ಮಂಥನAಂದ ಅಮೃತ |
CೕದಮಂಥನAಂದ ಮ೦FGಮH ||
- ಅIನಂದJ ಕLMಗದ 7<ಸN

From the ocean of knowledge and

experience; your intellect as Mount
Mandara; your determination Vasuki,
between the good & bad of this world you
stood and churned the four Vedas to give
us these four lines, which have now been
immortalised as ‘Mankuthimmana Kagga -
My salutations to thee, O! Vyasa of
Kaliyuga.

Context: The oceans were churned by the Gods and

Demons in search of the divine nectar that would make
them immortal. Mount Mandara was the churning rod
and the divine serpent, Vasuki the rope.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

1
Sri Vishnu; the centre of the universe, the master of illusion. People have
given him so many names. Some call him God & some the parabrahman.

He is invisible to all; unseen by many; yet, in him lies all our belief. It is this
belief that manifests as his many names.

Strange as all of this may seem, I bow down to him

2
There is some force which has penetrated the existence of beings that have
life within them and also those without life.

This energy can neither be measured nor can any emotion alter it. Yet, it
exists. It is fundamental to the existence of all matter.

My salutations to this unique force that drives us all.

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/84/236022140_eb94792751.jpg

We believe in the energy that manifests itself in many forms and infuses life in
beings. This energy may or may not be visible. But its glory exists for us all to
see.

Let us seek refuge in this energy.

4
What is the meaning of life? What is the universe all about? Is there a
connection or a relationship between the two?

Is there something in this world that we cannot perceive through our senses?
If so, what is it? Is perception the ultimate proof of existence?

Nay; there could be something more to the world around us

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.new-muslims.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/The-Concept-of-God-in-Islam.jpg

What is God? Is He a name that we have given to all that is beyond our
comprehension? Can He be found only in the darkest of caves?

If God did really exist then why is the story of the world the way it is now?
What is the mystery behind life and death?

6
Is this world a mere riddle? If so, who will solve this puzzle? What is the
meaning of life?

If the hands that created us all belonged to a single creator (i.e. the concept
of one God), then why are there so many differences amongst his creations?

Why is there so much of diversity?

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://static01.nyt.com/images/2010/01/16/world/16preval02/articleLarge.jpg
7

Is there only one in whose hand the strings of our life rest or are there many
hands that rule over us? What defines our life? Is it fate or manliness; is it
dharma or blind faith?

Will the storm of all this chaos ever calm down? Or should we lead our life in
the midst of this turbulence?

Is there any purpose to all of God’s creation? Is there a goal before this
world? Does the universe follow a fixed path?

It appears to me that the even the Creator’s mind wanders from time to time.
For if he really was so benevolent all the time, then many of us would not
struggle this way in life
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/624/media/images/82521000/jpg/_82521685_026883262-1.jpg

9
The world spins on its axis. How frightful is its play! 5 elements make up this
body and how strange is their intoxicated dance!

There are massive balls of fire and deep chasms. This world is filled with
much wonder.

10
What kind of world is this? Why is there so much of commotion within? The
tremendous power of destruction that lies hidden within the Earth is beyond
our comprehension.

If that be the case, then what should the goal of a man be? What is his value
in the larger play of elements? What will be his end? What is the meaning of
all this?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

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11
Of late, it seems that the whole world is suffering from a plague; an endemic
brought to life by some demonic powers. There is death everywhere - look at
the way death dances before our eyes; it mocks at us.

News from across the world fill us with so much grief and anxiety; it causes
our head to spin. When will all of this come to an end?

D.V.G composed Mankuthimmana Kagga in the 1940s… at the time when the world was held in the jaws of war. This verse brings out his sadness

12
Are these men or are they demons? Instead of shedding tears of remorse to
pacify Mother Earth, they are shedding each other’s blood!

Why is there so much of hatred? Why is there so much of destruction? Look

at the heat and smoke that emanates when everything is burnt. It appears to
me that the world has become a place fit for the tyrants!
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://kachinlandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/p1_united_we_stand31.jpg

13

What have we achieved out of our freedom? Have we put our free will to
good use? Unfortunately, human free will has only, time and again, soaked
the earth in blood.

Will a sword, even when swung in the same manner as a garland made of
flowers, ever be able to fill the air fragrance?

14

All of us see the same sky when we look towards the heavens. We all tread
the same earth when we walk. We all eat the same grain, breathe the same
air and drink the same water.

If that be true, how can one explain the animosity that between us? How can
one explain the hate and unrighteous anger we hold against others?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://dalocollis.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/myanmar-devotion-12.jpg

A man is defined by his character and character is born out of value. D.V.G laments on the absence of values in our current world through these two verses

15

The values and faith of olden days have now been erased. It is sad however,
that no new values or bright ideas have emerged to suit the world that we live
in today.

The world is as anxious as a blind man handicapped of one leg, who has lost
the home he lived in and was so familiar with. He is directionless now.

16
There is a lot of restlessness in the world. Our old values and faiths have
died and no new ideas have taken birth.

The restlessness is similar to that of a spirit which has left the body, but has
unfortunately not ascended the higher world. The spirit is neither here nor
there.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YanyxniNgnc/UleBaBH-9xI/AAAAAAAAB6o/dITAGiLDa2c/s1600/Samudra-Manthan-The-Churning-of-the-Ocean-of-Milk.jpg

17
Why is there so much of restlessness in this world? Why is there no faith?
When Gods and Demons churned the ocean, what emanated was the poison
‘halahal’. Lord Shiva protected them by consuming the poison and holding it
in this throat.

From this we learn that when the time comes, the Lord will come to our
rescue & consume all the troubles of our life. Then why should we worry?

18
Life moves like the waves that arise from the ocean, it has no beginning, no
end; it never stops and is eternal.

What is life and death then? What are pleasures and miseries? They are like
the bubbles on the surface of water; existing only for a few moments.
Nothing is permanent.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d3/Phra_Ajan_Jerapunyo-Abbot_of_Watkungtaphao..jpg
19
When air gets into a ball of mud, it cannot come out on its own. However,
when the same air gets into our body (breathing in), it can be forced out
(breathing out). If air cannot move out of our body, then we are no different
from that ball of mud.

What is life then and what is death? Is our live merely a whirlwind of dust?
What is poison and what is an elixir?

20
Why do we bow down to every God that we see? Why do we resort to sinister
schemes? We often fall back to distasteful means (sama, dana, bheda and
danda) to achieve our end?

Why do we not realise that we only need a handful of rice to eat and one
piece of cloth to cover ourself. Why is the use of all this wandering? What is
the use scheming?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://nishankohli.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/desert-traveller.jpg

21
What we treat as something very precious is turned to dust by fate in
moments. On the other hand, we forsake opportunities that fate presents to
us, considering them to be worthless.

If we attach different values to different aspects of life, how can there be a

fair trade? Is fate responsible for the state of our lives, or is the responsibility
ours?

22

The world is immersed in lies. Everything looks so artificial. Where is the

truth? It appears that the Creator has gone into hiding!

The whole world is a large hall of people whom we do not know. How can we
be sure of their intentions? Just like a traveller in an unknown place, we
should be very careful.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://adventurousmiriam.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_07991.jpg

23
We wander aimlessly. Beg for and then eat whatever we get in hand. We
display wealth shamelessly forgetting everything, including our own self.

We are jealous of others and grind our teeth when we see others do well.
When we are under stress, we get relief by getting angry on others. We then
lament on recollecting all that we do. Is our life only a whirlwind of these
meaningless emotions?

24

Are the fears and ambitions of men, the reason behind our belief in God’s?
Are Gods born out of our fear and desires? Is our devotion only due to the
arrogance of Gods, one that they display by mocking us, by laughing at us?

Do Gods display their power amongst themselves by making us suffer? Is

this how they test who is the strongest? If so, is this fair? Is this dharma?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.splitsailing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/sunset-sailing.jpg

25

How wonderful would it be if we all had a blueprint for our life! Just like a
sailor is guided by his compass and maps; just like the way he keeps a
count of days for the voyage to complete, how amazing would it be if we had
a count of days of our life as well.

The creation of such a blueprint would however require us to know the start
and end point of our life. Is there anyone who can ever know that?

26
The goal or purpose of creation is unclear. It seems like an unabashed
display of opposites. On one end we have all things that are pleasing and
mesmerising. On the other we have troubles, horrors and fear.

Sometimes, there is a thin line between the two sides. What may seem
pleasing now may cause pain later and what is painful now, may be pleasing
later. The Creator’s creation is so difficult to understand.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.sott.net/image/s4/94165/full/103259_9eb1be236bc18c4189fa452.jpg

27
What is the purpose of our life on this planet? What is its goal and what fruits
would it yield? What is the use of the mindless struggle and wandering?

Animals and birds wander about throughout the day in search of food to fill
their stomach. How different is a man’s life? Everything he does, he does with
the purpose of filling his stomach. If that be true, is there anything special
about his achievements?

28

Sometimes it appears that the world exists because of love, compassion,

beauty and romance. On other occasions it appears that the world is full of
hatred, struggle, poverty and misery.

It is hard to know which amongst them is the truth.

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3295/3087338152_e3abef33a9_b.jpg

29

There are two perspectives from which we can visualise God. One one hand
we have the Creator (Brahma) and on the other we have the Destroyer
(Shiva). While Krishna holds the flute in one hand; mesmerising gopis with
his soulful tunes (representing bliss), he also holds the conch shell in the
other (used to declare preparedness for war)

Can we click our fingers using only one of them? No! Both should exist for
there to be sound! Thus, creation and destruction are both necessary.
30

“God alone is real and the world is merely an illusion” - goes the saying. But
is this true? Is there no connection between the two? The world has been
created by God himself. If he is true, how can his creation be full of faults?

If tend to believe all that people say without applying our minds. If we cannot
trust our own eyes and mind, them whom else can we trust?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://iteenchallengetraining.org/uploads/iceberg1.jpg

31

Where is the truth in today’s world? Is the truth hiding behind what our eyes
see as false. If so, can we believe what is hiding to be the truth? The hide
and seek played by truth and deceit seems like an amazing science.

Maybe the Creator has created an illusion before us; an illusion behind which
the truth seems hidden from our view; like a veil before our eyes. If we see
through the veil, the world may, after all, not seem so complicated.

32
Maybe God is the one who created this world. If we assume so, then is his
creation only a play? Is it his dream or mischief? Is the creation a result of his
blabbering in his sleep?

If we presume that God is neither a fool nor dull-witted, then there has to be
something more to this world than what appears to us. There should be some
order in all this chaos and a goal to achieve. Wonder what that is?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-07-11-GuruSishyaforHP.png

33

Is putting a man through ‘tests’ all the time, the only desire of God? Is our life
only a struggle? When will all of this end?

There are so many questions like this for which we seek answers. But how
can we call one, who has no answers to these questions, as a guru?

34

The more we think about the questions that concern our creation, the more
we get confused. The answers themselves give birth to new questions. Is our
fate only limited to continuous sufferings due to our failure decipher the
secrets of this world?

Is this our final destiny?

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.ulc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/world-turtle.jpg

35
Let me presume that the Creator brought this world into existence after
sufficient thought. He may have spent many a millennia thinking about,
planning and bringing this world into being.

Would his efforts have been valued enough by us if we were able to decipher
the mysteries of this world without much struggle? Would it not demean his
greatness?
36
You have hidden the wonders of this world from my eyes. You have covered
its brilliance with a veil of illusion. You then make me tread on all immoral
paths for You have not shown me the way of truth.

Is it fair for You to then say that I have not passed your tests?
The mistakes that I commit are not just mine.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.dollsofindia.com/images/products/brass-statues/dashavatar-LB61_l.jpg

37
There have been several incarnations of God in this world. However, his
appearance has been different in each of these incarnations.

Why is he not eager to reveal himself to us? I cannot understand why he has
kept himself hidden from us this long?

38

Why does God keep changing his appearance every minute? Is he a

chameleon? Why can he never reveal his complete self to us? Why does he
have to cheat us by revealing only a part of him each time?

Of what use are these part incarnations?

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://yang-sheng.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/sun-moon-northpole.jpg

39

Why has not God left us any clues to find him? Does he wish for us to think
he does not exist? Does he wish to play this game where he, hiding behind a
veil, wants us to believe that he is non-existent?

Can he not help us in our quest to search for him? Can he not be like the
moon on a dark night? One that helps us in our journey even in darkness.

40

When is God visible? I can neither see him at night nor can I see him in
broad daylight. When is He visible? Does he, like the quick flash of
lightening, fly away swiftly at dusk?

Are the Sun and the Moon windows to his home though which I should peep
in to find him?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.templefolks.com/products/bimages/Khajuraho-temple-1-1007135.jpg

41

It would be good if the Lord locks himself securely within a temple and
throws the keys to its gates outside. At least then, would the ones who are
boastful of their learning (priests) give up their singing. Of what use are these
songs or verse in praise of God if they do not bring people close to the truth?

When the temples are locked, they would at least spend their time teaching
us what truth really means!
42
Ah! The attractions of this world! What can we say about the things that
please our heart? We search the whole world only to find those things that
give us pleasure. We are willing to engage in any trade / barter to acquire
these things.

What we do not realise is, behind every pleasure is a secret so mischievous

that it would, on some later date, make us lament our actions.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://www.fhi.ox.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/earth.jpg

43

There seems to be some current that has enveloped the universe. It is

everywhere - up and down; left and right; and in every nook and corner.
Every particle of this universe possesses this energy. It is this energy that
drives the Earth, the Sun and the Moon too.

Who controls all this? Who is the force behind all this? Who drives this?

44

Our eyes are unable to see into the mysteries of the future. Our vision gets
blur when we try to peep through. We can say with some certainty as to what
‘today’ holds for us; but we are not so sure about ‘tomorrow’ and there is
nothing we know of the days to come after that.

Why have we not been gifted with this ability? Is speculation our only fate?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://clicz.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/dsc02173.jpg

45
The Sun (ball of fire) and the Moon (a ball that is as white as butter) give
light. Despite all the light that is around us, our eyes can be deceived by a
mere ball of clay (i.e. a statue made of clay can appear as real to our eyes).

The entire world seems engulfed in darkness & doubt. Amongst all this
darkness, even a small lamp may seem like our saviour & everything seen in
that dim light may seem real.

46
Let the mysteries of life be covered under a thin veil! Only then would it be
beautiful. Would anyone care to marry a naked woman who roams the
streets?

Our heart and minds are curious only about those things that are not easily
visible to our eyes. Mysteries are alluring only when they blooms in hiding.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

47 http://www.lifenthuziast.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Seeking-truths-through-and-for-PR.jpg

Why lament that we have given only half a vision? (i.e. that we cannot see
truth completely) Why lament that the world is not sufficiently bright for us to
visualise what is transpiring? What fruits does such lamenting beget or what
happiness does it give?

It is best that we make use of whatever we have (i.e. limited vision) and
experience the world as it is.

48

There is a way by which we can overcome our limitations and move forward
together.

Each of us has limited vision of what truth is. However, if we put all these
views together, we may be able to visualise what the ultimate truth is! Let us
try to individually capture, the essence of truth and then put them all
together. We can definitely succeed.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://barclaylittlewood.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/holy-book.jpg

49

What do the pundits & the learned say about overcoming problems in life?
We are often told that the life we lead is an illusion and to reach the ultimate
truth we need to walk over the bridge of ‘knowledge’.

I ask the ones who state so as to whether they have ever understood the
depths & ferocity of desires that reside in the human heart? Have they
understood these emotions? If not, then of what use can man put this
knowledge to? Gaining such knowledge is futile.
50

Where does truth reside? Does it reside only in our holy books? Does it only
reside in the preachings of those who are learned?

Can we not find the truth in our experiences? Our heart is the home to all our
experiences. These experiences give shape to our actions and also control
our emotions. Our experiences are the reality of life & isn’t this the ultimate
truth?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://leverhawk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/iStock_000012580113Medium.jpg
51

There is something that is pulling me towards these external sensory

pleasures. It is as if all the goodness within me has come under the firm grip
of this force.

What is this force and from where does it come? Is it mere fate or the play of
creation? What could this be?

52

The blue colour of clear skies brings so much peace to my heart. However,
the red colour of the setting sun, though beautiful, does not bring the same
peace.

What is the source of my peace then? Is it merely in these colours? Or does

peace reside in my mind that differentiates between the two?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

freshairboutique.files.wordpress.co
53

Where does the grass get its green colour from? Are the roots responsible for
it? Does it come from the soil it grows in? Does it come from the Sun or the
Moon or from water? Or is it green because our eyes say so?

Aren't we fortunate to be able to see the beauty of nature with our eyes? Can
there be only one source of such beauty? Nay! There should be something
more.
54

Is there any use of dissecting a problem into its cause and effect? What can
be gained by poking at truth with a pointed staff? We may never understand
it fully that way.

However, if we immerse ourself into our life, with a mind that is pure & clear,
we may be able to learn the secrets of truth from our experiences.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://www.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://d197n5kam3wa4q.cloudfront.net/files/2016/01/19-770x468.jpg&imgrefurl=http://utmost.org/vision-and-darkness/&h=

55

Can the existence of the Sun and Moon be questioned just because a blind
man cannot see them? Is he not able to experience their existence through
sensations of heat and cold.

Similarly, we may not be able to see the ultimate truth with our naked eyes.
Yet, we our experiences may reveal to our mind that it does exist. Thus, it is
not necessary that the proof of existence lies only in our ability to see. It
could also reside in our ability to experience it though other means.
56

I can hear the stars shout; I can listen to the Earth cry; I can also hear the
agony of those buried underneath!

These three sounds borrow into my heart and there seems to be utter chaos
everywhere! It seems like my heart has become a noisy village fair!
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.nisargakarnataka.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Agumbe-View2.jpg

57

See the sunset at Agumbe or the sunrise at the Dronaparvata (known now as
Baba Budangri in Chikmagalur).
Listen to the music composed by Thyagaraja and read the verses composed
by Valmiki.

These beautiful sights or sounds have the power to touch that eternal truth
which resides within us.

58

The beauty of massive mountains; the fear imposed on our being by a violent
thunderstorm; love of friends & separation from your beloved….

There are some events in life that bring to silence the noise within our minds;
when our mind stops running around and we become speechless. It is in
these moments that the truth dawns on us and we immerse ourselves in it.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://iskconcochin.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ChantingonJapaBeads.jpg

59

We keep searching for God in mysterious ways. We search for him in the
beads that are used for meditating & in the hymns that we sing for him. We
also search for his presence in the rituals we perform.

Why can we not search for Him in the good deeds done by people? Is that
not proof enough that He exists?

60

The epics of Greece are read in Delhi and the sacred scriptures from
Varanasi are read in Oxford, England.

All of this proves that the divisions and boundaries that exist are all man-
made and do not extend to our heart & minds. These boundaries are merely
fictional and temporary. At the end, we are the same; mortal beings created
by one God.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga
http://hdwallpapershoot.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/low-earth-orbit-wallpaper.jpg

61
There seems to be a voice which arises from the heavens above. There is
another voice that arises from deep within our hearts. One arises from
influences that are external to us and another is born out of our
contemplation.

The day we are able to unify these two voices, we shall be able to see God.

62
This is the age of science. Geologists are now able to understand the
movements of the Sun, the Stars and the Earth herself. They understand the
trajectories and speed with which these celestial objects travel.

But can the advancement of science ever understand the human mind and
the nature of those feelings that reside in our heart? Can science conquer the
speed of our thoughts? Can it measure love or anger?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

63 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/ff/Tharus_beating_out_the_rice_from_the_ears,_Harnatar,_India,_ca._1906_(IMP-CSCNWW33-OS14-51).jpg

Can the human language adequately describe the form of the Universal
Being when sometimes, this language is not sufficient, to even adequately
describe human emotions?

The human language appears as a coarse medium to explain extraordinary

experiences. Only the experienced inner ear (a pure mind) can hear the
wonders of the Ultimate Truth. No language is of any necessity then.

64
Our experiences, emotions and thoughts are like paddy (raw rice). The
intelligent will we pound these experiences and emotions with their
arguments and examine them closely.

It is through examination that we will be able to remove the husk (unwanted

thoughts) from the rice. Such well thought out philosophies can be
consumed by us as our daily food.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.ohthebooks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/10371909_782006398498055_3207261016953790676_n-2.jpg
65
Bookish knowledge obtained by reading is like an ornament on our head.
However, knowledge gained through experiences is like a flower that grows
on plants.

Truth can be attained only through introspection and by travelling inwards. It

cannot be attained by merely reading books. That is the difference between
being knowledgable and being ‘well-educated’

66
For the shallow minded, most of God’s creation appear as waste. Is there any
purpose to the lives of those minute creatures? Of what use are these worms
and insects? It appears to them that God was extravagant and did not plan
the world well.

This half truth is extremely defective for all of God’s creations have some
purpose. Harmony is achieved only when these creatures play their role well.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1408005/thumbs/o-EASTER-ISLAND-570.jpg?1

67
There is no script before us to understand this universe. What we have
before us is only a line and nothing else.

And it is within that line that we interpret what is wrong and what is right.
There must surely be something more to the world than the little information
we have before us. This is undoubtedly a perplexing situation.

68
We do not seem to understand this world completely. Everything around us
seems half lit; there are half the clues to find the truth and what we find also
seems like half the truth. Where is the complete truth?

The world seems like a chest with many mysteries within. Is there anyone
who can decipher it?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://d2zfkpu1r6ym98.cloudfront.net/sites/guideposts.org

69

Had we not named plants, would they cease to have life in them?
Would their flowers cease to bloom and cease to give out their fragrance?
Would sunlight cease to make their fruits ripe? Would the wind not carry their
fragrance to us?

Whether we know of their names or even their existence, we are breathing

the fragrant air that these plants give out. What lies in a name then?

70

The fragrance of this world gets pulled up by the sun in the form of vapour.
Vapour then forms clouds, which fill up our wells and lakes with their rains. It
is this water that enters us through the food we eat.

The science of rains is a wonderful creation of God.

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.landscapehdwalls.com/first-sun-rays-in-the-morning-6067/
71

The sun & its rays are related. The skies and the rain bearing clouds are
related. The earth, its rotation and the wind that blows as a result of its
movement are all related.

The world is a mesh. Everything - some small & some big - are related to one
another. We are all connected to each other in some way or the other.

72

Everything that we can see around us in this world is related to one another.
Can anyone explain how these relationships form? Can anyone unravel the
mysteries of this creation?

Relationships do not stop at life alone. Even immovable objects have the
power to enamour us! Our minds constantly think of these objects which
have no life in them. Is there anything in this world that is truly detached?
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga
https://attachmentxissues.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/cropped-buddhist.jpg

73
This world is full of relationships. Relationships bring about attachment and
attachment brings about problems. There is no one who can deny having
attachment, howsoever small.

One may believe that he is not attached to anyone or anything. He may live
within himself. Nevertheless, he is one part of the outside world and despite
his aloneness has some role to play. He has to participate. It is best that one
accepts this fact of life.
74
The Creator may have experienced loneliness when He was all alone. To
overcome this, He must have thought of manifesting himself into many
different forms.

These forms are all created from His being. The forms may merely be an
illusion and it is this illusion that we call as our world. Our life runs in this
world of illusions.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://thepapershell.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/580newseedlingpaid.jpg

75
A tree grows out from a seed. It defines its existence by extinguishing the
existence of that seed from which it was born. Similarly, it may be possible,
that this world has come into existence by destroying something else.

The diversity of the universe, we see before our eyes may only be hiding its
origin. The world before us seems like the froth that forms when milk is
boiled. The milk itself, may be the Creator.

76
God probably created the world to overcome his loneliness. Having created
this world, he is also responsible for its nourishment and well-being.

He has not only brought into existence the world around us, but has also
created the varied emotions that rule over us. All of this is an illusion. It is He
alone who wanders this world completely detached from all the emotions that
he himself has created.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.pitara.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2000/09/exotic-peacock.jpg
77
The Creator is like a gem and is mesmerised by the brilliance of his own
lustre. He is like the peacock which spreads its feathers and consumed by
the beauty of its colours, dances in happiness.

Just like the peacock who is lost in the beauty of the colours on its feathers,
the Creator too is lost in the beauty of his Creation.

78

Have you ever seen a young girl dressing up? She spends so much time
admiring herself in the mirror - wearing one ornament after another. She
forgets the whole world & looses herself in the process.

The Creator is just as absorbed in his creation.

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://s.isha.ws/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/creation-creator-important.jpg

79

In olden days, children used to use slates to write on. These children would
sometimes make the slate fall, breaking it into pieces. Once broken, the
child, forgetting the whole world, would dedicate all his energy to join the
pieces back.

The Creator too has engrossed himself entirely in his creation. He is oblivious
to everything but the world before him which he himself has created.

80
To rid oneself of boredom & loneliness, people usually play a game of cards
in which they play from both sides (i.e. playing with oneself; this is possible in
chess as well). As the game progresses, the player forgets that he is playing
against himself and gives his best to win, as if he is playing against someone
else.

Similarly, the Creator has created his universe to get rid of his boredom. He is
everywhere and is in everything. It is as if he is playing with himself.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/mix941kmxj.com/files/2013/02/Boy-playing-hide-and-seek-against-a-tree-credit-Nick-Daly-200338569-001-630x487.jpg
81

If one looks at all the miseries around himself, he sometimes wonders

whether the Creator has forgotten about the well-being of this world. Has he
really forgotten us?

No. He has not. He only seems to have forgotten himself as he has

manifested himself into all the beings of this world. He is knocking at each of
us to find Himself within us. The ones who allow him inside are in peace and
the ones who don’t, are in misery.
82

In a game of hide and seek that children play with their grandmother, she
calls out to all of them to come and play. Some children come willingly but
some don’t. To those who don’t come, the grandmother coaxes them to play
and they give in, unable to refuse her request.

The Creator too is like this grandmother. He coaxes us to play the game of
life. We too cannot refuse his request and agree to play along.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://img.wonderhowto.com/img/82/36/63548268156559/0/4-reasons-why-talking-yourself-is-anything-but-crazy.1280x600.jpg

83
When a man is upset or worried, he can be seen talking to himself. He
addresses himself as his mouth speaks and he also makes gestures to
himself. Though there seems to be two people talking to one another, the
reality is that they are both one and the same.

Similarly, the Creator and his creations are one and the same. It may appear
that there are two subjects before us (God & creation), but one does not
differ from the other.
84

God created his universe which has atoms, sky, stars, planets and beings in
it. He has bound all of these with certain rules that define the role each play.
The rules have been slackened a little so that the roles can be played out
properly.

God has hidden himself in this world. He is silently watching the elements
dance before his eyes and he is enjoying their performance.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.chakranews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Lord-Shivas-Dance-the-Tandava-The-Night-of-Shiva.jpg
85

Can one ever measure the limitlessness of the skies above or the depth of
the desires that reside in our heart? Our lives are defined between these two
worlds (the outer and inner)

It is the Creator who infuses the breath of life into our being. It appears that
the whole world is a merely a bubble made of this life infusing air.

86
The heavens are His knotted hair and stars, the flowers that adorn them. The
world is His body and maya His beloved companion. He is the only one who
can perform the tandava (the dance of destruction) with a smile on his face.
His laughter fills the world with life.

He is Shiva, the Creator and He is also Rudra, the Destroyer.

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

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87

The growth & brilliance that exist in this world, the progress and expansion
that drives it, the happiness that it indulges in, the brightness that surrounds
it, the speed with which light travels in all the directions around us;

In all of these one can find the divine maya of the Creator. It is He who has
brought all these into existence and it is He who indulges in the world he
created.

88

This universe is constantly moving and constantly expending. If one

contemplates on the force that drives this movement and growth, he would
come closer to the beauty of creation & the brilliance of the Creator.

Just like the diamond that sparkles effortlessly, the brilliance of the Creator
glows throughout this universe. To be radiant is the innate quality of a
diamond and to be brilliant is the innate quality of the Creator.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

https://drscdn.500px.org/photo/111945519/q%3D80_m%3D1500/42d7312fac3b40059f5ad74f91333168
89
A question is frequently asked : When did this world come into existence? An
easier way to answer this question would be to understand how the previous
world was destroyed. Creation and destruction are two ends that join to form
a continuos cycle. No one can say which came first.

The story of creation and destruction can be related to a turtle; when it

spreads its legs and head from its shell, it is creation and when it withdraws
into itself, it is destruction.
90

When did this world come into existence? What caused it to come into
existence? Who is behind all this?
When did the first wave hit the shore? Which was the first wave that hit it?
Where does this wind come from and where does it go? Who has answers to
all this?

I wonder what the story of this world is.

 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.pitara.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2001/04/lotus-flower.jpg

91

Just like the lotus that blooms when the first rays of sun fall on it, and then
withdraws into itself by sunset, the universe expands and contracts.

The birth and death of the universe and every organism in it is a continuous
& never ending process of expansion and contraction.

92

From somewhere beyond the space within our contemplation, the essence of
truth comes to us as waves.

We know not how the truth is delivered to us, but each wave brings to us
something new and teaches us a great lesson. These waves shall continue to
deliver the truth forever.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

93 https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Sunrise,_Dinajpur,_Bangladesh.jpg

This world is ruled by fire and is engulfed in it always. It is this fire that
dances - sometimes gracefully in tune with the hum of the world & sometimes
out of tune & violently.

When this fire dances gracefully, it brings life into existence and when it
dances violently, it causes destruction. The Creator has immersed himself in
this dance.

94

All that we see, hear and experience around us seems like an illusion. The
dance of this universe seems only for a show. One who has experienced
what lies within all of this, does not differentiate between happiness and
sorrow.

To the outside world he appears to be a man who goes about his routine,
fixed to its rules. But in real, he lives unattached. He alone is truly free.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

95 http://www.shreedarshan.com/vishnu%20avatar-narasimha.jpg

Isn’t the beautiful blue skinned Krishna the same as the fierce Narasimha?
Isn’t the calm meditating Shiva the same as the ferocious Rudra? Isn’t Gowri,
the daughter of Himavan, the same as Kali?

We tend to prefer experiences that please us from those that disturb us. But
at the end of it all, they are both one and the same. Good and Bad are both
manifestations of the same Creator.

96

The whole universe seems to be in a trance. Where is the truth amongst all
this? The truth seems like the waves of the ocean - what seems real now,
disappears the very next moment.

If we say that the whole world is an illusion; is a lie - we may be lying by

saying so too. The only truth is our existence - that we are alive now. The
Creator is the director, and we are mere puppets in his hand.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/201308/r1153669_14480374.jpg

97

What is the meaning of Dharma? What is the meaning of Karma? What is the
story of this universe? What is the meaning of this life?

The Creator is the cause of everything. The universe around us is an illusion

that he has created. He is Dharma. He weaves the story of this universe and
the one who infuses life in us. He is Life.

98

The universe is a mixture of everything odd & everything even. To find the
truth amidst this oddity is our Dharma. Music can be created only by mixing
different types of sounds, which by themselves may seem odd to hear but
when put together, sound pleasing.

Dharma is the knowledge that leads us to a single truth; & this unified truth is
nothing but an amalgam of diverse pieces of untruth.
 ಮ೦#$ಮ%ನ ಕಗ)
Mankuthimmana Kagga

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99
If one stands by the sea shore and looks at its two sides, on one end he sees
the ocean that is constantly moving and on the other, land that is motionless.
On one side he sees only water and on the other so much of diversity.

There are many things in this world that are within our measure. Similarly
there are many, that are beyond our measure. The world is an amalgam of
these two and it is only because they both exist, our world is so interesting.

100

Truth seems like a vast ocean & our understanding of the truth is miniscule.
We may be able to understand only a part of the truth. After all, the very
world that we live in is a minuscule part of the whole universe. How can we
ever decipher what the real truth is?

The one who understand that the Creator is the essence of truth and lies
behind all creation may be able to understand truth as well.