When I was 17 and contemplated (for months) taking my own life, these two books saved me. The four-line Kannada verses in these two books, 'Mankutimmana Kagga' and 'MaruLamuniyana Kagga' (945 and 825 respectively) are some of the best literary pieces brimming with philosophy, spirituality, empathy, compassion, and gratitude and love for life. Few other works examine the human condition with such tenderness and incisiveness. Perhaps the fact that the author himself endured a great deal of adversity throughout his life makes these masterpieces timeless. The man never complained and is not only known for the unshakable love for life he possessed but also for his inimitable sense of humour despite the darkness he had endured. What a human being; we're blessed to have had him with us. DVG (DEvanahaLLi VenkaTaramaNayya GunDappa) is undoubtedly a world-class writer. Wish he were alive so that I could meet him thank him for saving my life. There's no way anyone can translate these gems into any other language. They are crafted with such intricate grammar details without at all compromising on the essence or meaning they want to convey. This I say with pride as well as immense pain at the same time because I ache for these works to reach every single soul on this planet that seeks the unknown. Rightfully known as 'The Bhagavad-Gita in Kannada', these verses are divine in their influence on its readers. The man was probably a little more than human. DVG, I wonder how many lives you've thus saved.
