Kagga 306
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
nAsikada mATadindA kliyOpyaTraLigedAsarAdaru shUra sIsar AnTanigaLdEshacharitegamavara jasakamankushavAytunAsapuTada rEkhe – MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
The Universe is in a state of constant change – these changes are sometimes natural & often forced by the actions of man
Man, either out of ignorance or more often out of lack of reasoning abilities behaves irrationally many times to the extent that his actions not only have an impact on him; but his entire surrounding ecosystem
Mankutimma, you would have heard of the story of Cleopatra & how infatuated by her beauty, Ceasar & Mark Antony became her slaves, forgot their duties to their nations, neglected their true friends & wellwishers of the nation leading to treachery & eventually led to the downfall of the great Roman Empire. This is not an isolated example; history is full of such stories where for want of frivolous reasons; people or entire nations are devastated. Therefore, develop the right temper & reasoning ability without which you stand at risk to be another of such example.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?