Kagga 301
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
illi chennalli chennello chennenuteNisihullu bayalondeDeyinondakke negedumelladeye dhAvisuta daNiva karuvanu polto-DelliyO sukha ninage? – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
The Creator has not only made this Universe complex in nature; the mindset of the humans residing here is even more complex
What appears to be reality could be a mirage & vice versa. One could spend a whole lifetime in the pursuit of momentary pleasures that in the end turn out to not even be a reality.
Mankutimma, the grass always appears to be greener on the other side of the pasture. Perceiving this, a calf ends up going from one pastyre to the other and then to another always thinking that the grass in the other one is more delicious. The only thing that the calf gets at the end of the day is tiredness & hunger…in the same way, as you progress through life, you will come across various temptations that could pull you in multiple directions…if you end up chasing every such temptation, perennial dissatisfaction is the only achievement that you will have…so avoid such a constant pursuit of perceived happiness
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?