Kagga 77
D. V. Gundappa · 1887–1975 · from the Kannada original
Transliteration
tanna hoLahoLapugaLa nenenenedu maimaretarannavO brahma; nODuvanu -- nijapinghavarNadeNikeyali tannane mareta navilavolutanmayano sruSHTiyali -- MANKUTIMMA
Interpretation
Mysterious are the ways of the Creator
He is like that brilliant, lustrous gem that is self-luminous & self-shining & whose brilliance is independent of whether anyone is appreciating it or not
Similar to a peacock who is preening itself and basking in its brilliant colors all by itself, so is the Creator admiring his creation - this magnificent Universe
Mankutimma, in this Universe, He is both the Creator as well as the creation. He, in his infinite wisdom & power has infused life & energy into the Universe & compels all the beings to coexist. He is lost in admiring & enjoying His creation; so in some sense He is focussed on admiring Himself like the peacock -- actually he is admiring the dichotomy of reality & illusion that he has created.
Did this poetry & its translation speak to you?