My Me Is Thee! – Vachanas of Basava

My Me Is Thee! – Vachanas of Basava

A Rendition into English by Basavaraj F Yeligar

Overview

My Me Is Thee! is a soulful English translation of the Vachanas (prose-poems) of Basavanna, the revolutionary saint-poet and founding saint of the Lingayat tradition. The book's title is derived from the Kannada phrase featured on the cover—"ನನ್ನೊಳಗಿನ ನಾನು ನೀನೇ" (Nannolagina Naanu Neene)—which beautifully translates to "The 'I' within me is You."

Key Themes

This collection serves as a bridge between the medieval spiritual revolution of Karnataka and the modern reader. Through these renditions, the author captures Basavanna’s core philosophies:

Monotheism & Devotion: The intimate, singular relationship between the soul and the Divine (Koodalasangama).

Social Equality: The rejection of caste, creed, and gender hierarchies.

Kayaka (Work): The sanctity of honest labor and the belief that "Work is Heaven."

Inner Transformation: Moving beyond ritualism to find the temple within oneself.

The Edition

Translated by Basavaraj F Yeligar, this rendition aims to preserve the raw emotional power and rhythmic simplicity of the original Kannada verses while making them accessible to a global, English-speaking audience. The cover imagery—featuring a sun-drenched Ishtalinga held in prayerful hands—reflects the book's focus on personal enlightenment and the light of knowledge.

Why Read It?

Whether you are a student of Indian philosophy, a seeker of spiritual truth, or a lover of classical poetry, this book offers a window into a movement that redefined human dignity and spiritual practice. It is not just a book of poems; it is a manual for living a life of integrity, compassion, and divine connection.