Kagga 291
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original

Transliteration
bIsidallade bUdikavida kiDiyuridIte?kaisOkadire kaiya sappaLAdIte?vAsaneye mAteyAshege pitanu sandarbhadOSHavoLago horago? – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
One can see duality in every aspect of the Universe…in the action-reaction process, in the yin-yang counterbalancing process & so on
One such duality in the cause(s) for any effect that is seen out here…is such a cause naturally inherent in nature & hence the effect inevitable – or is the cause created by man & hence the effect a resultant
Mankutimma, look at a soot covered hot coal…unless you blow on it, there is no fire; at the same time, it is only because of the inherent chemical nature of coal that it burns & creates fire…so, which is more important – the natural state of coal or the blowing of air? Similarly, for any act of man – whether a sin or a virtue, is the desire created within man the predominant cause or is the circumstance in which this sin or virtue behavior seen predominant? Like in several other aspects of the Universe, there is no absolute cause…you have to learn to live with the aspect of duality that is prevalent everywhere in the Universe.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?
