Kagga 298
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
gAregachchInalla dAru dUlagaLallapArada dravadavolu manujasvabhAvavIrashapathagaLinde ghanarUpiyAgadadusairisadaninitu nIm – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
If there is anything that the Creator has made constant in His Universe, it is the fact that all beings here emote in contradictory ways everytime, everywhere
It may sound very idealistic; at times even romantic that a particular person is steadfast in his qualities, immovable, doesn’t deviate etc. the reality is something very different
Mankutimma, the sooner you realise that man’s mind is not like that of a rigid cement wall or like a pillar made of hard wood. Instead, it is very mercurial in its behavior…constantly on the move. You will see people take rigid vows in their attempts to gain control over their mind & emotions. Invariably, more often than not, these vows fail & people’s emotions change. The sooner you understand this & come to terms, the better it is for you in order to lead your life here & emerge as a better human being
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?