Kagga 304
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
giriya mElake doDDa banDeyanu sisifasanuuruLisiralonderaDu mAru ghAsiyalisaridu keLakadadento jAruvudu maramaraLipuruShapragatiyantu – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
The only thing constant in this Universe is change. It is inevitable that everything in this Universe changes over time.
These changes always happen in cycles…without exception. Darkeness is followed by light; good is followed by evil and so on.
Mankutimma, the King Sisyphus in Greek Mythology was ordained by the Lord of Death to carry a heavy millstone on his back and place it on top of a hill only to see it roll down…this process continued endlessly till eternity. Such is the way of life in this Universe. Man works hard to make progress in his life & in the ecosystem in which he lives & just as he starts to get a feeling of satisfaction, nature shows its might in the form of some devastating calamity like a cyclone, earthquake, flood etc…man again has to gird his loins and start all over again. This is an endless cycle…you should neither get too haughty when things are good nor too sorrowful when things are tough…lead a balanced life & you will do well.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?