Kagga 294
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
uppiSHTu huLiyiSHTu kAra sihiyiSHTiSHTuoppirdODadu bhOjyavantu jIvitamamtappu sari beppu jANandakundugaLa bageyippattu sEre ruchi – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
The Universe is a smorgasbord of contradictory emotions, opinions & phenomena. Seemingly opposites exist in a state of equilibrium out here…so much so that it would be impossible to imagine this Universe without its diversities
Life in this Universe mirrors the Universe in this respect in-toto. The Creator has designed his creation in such a way that every human being is a complex jigsaw puzzle of seemingly contradictory emotions
Mankutimma, in order to have a complete meal, it is very necessary for our senses to experience all the five tastes – hot, sour, sweet, bitter & umami…any one of these get missed & the meal is deemed incomplete. Similarly in order to live & experience a complete life, it is necessary to experience & exhibit various emotions – stupidity, intelligence, beauty, empathy, jealousy etc. However contradictory they may appear to be; it is only when all are experienced & exhibited, then can life be deemed to be meaningful.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?