Kagga 196
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
manujalOkaviKaragaLanu nInaLisuvoDemanakondu darpaNava niravisentAnumanubhaviparavarandu tammantarangagaLaanupamAsahyagaLa – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
Among the various characteristics displayed by man, one of the more dominant ones is criticism of everyone & everything around us
The normal tendency of man is to think that he is perfect while everyone & everything around him is imperfect
Mankutimma, what you need to understand is that the external world around you is not isolated from you…each & every thing/being is in a constant state of inter-connection with you. So how they manifest themselves is a function of the influence you have on them…so, before criticising others or exhorting others to improve, have a close look at your inner conscience & have a critical look at your true self…you will then realise that you are showing the same imperfections that you are seeing in others. So, be the change you want to see in the world…once you change, then you will see that others will too…not otherwise.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?