ಉಮ್ಬ ಬಟ್ಟಲು ಬೇರೆ ಕಂಚಲ್ಲ
ನೋಡುವ ದರ್ಪಣ ಬೇರೆ ಕಂಚಲ್ಲ
ಬಾಂಡ ಒಂದೆ ಭಾಜನ ಒಂದೆ
ಬೆಳಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡಿಯೆನಿಸಿನಿತ್ತಯ್ಯಾ.
ಅರಿದಡೆ ಶರಣ ಮರೆದಡೆ ಮಾನವ
ಮರೆಯದೆ ಪೂಜಿಸು ಕೂಡಲಸಂಗನ.
basavaNNanavara vachana
umba baTTalu bEre kanchalla
nODuva darpaNa bEre kanchalla
bA.nda o.nde bhAjana o.nde
beLage kannaDiyenisinittayyA.
aridaDe sharaNa maredaDe mAnava
mareyade pUjisu kUDalasa.ngana.
Meaning:
The vessel used for eating is not a different bronze and
the mirror is not made of different bronze.
Material is the same; Nature is the same;
When polished it shines as the mirror.
If realizes (s/he) is a sharaNa;
If forgotten then (ordinary) human being.
(So) worship without forgetting the One in kUDalasangama
Notes:
1. Bronze was used in earlier times as mirror.
When shaped and polished well, it reflects the objects.
2. Whenever there is a spiritual leader emerging lots
of propaganda made stating so and so is an avatAr of
some divine or associated things. (This is done more so
by the followers than the spiritual people themselves )
Why ? Can't there be a good reverence to that person
on his/her own merit ? Or is it that by claiming they are
avatArs the rest are simply washing away their hands in
the spiritual duty, that it is to be done only by avatars and
not by the normals like them.
But isn't there an ingenuity in them as compared to the
rest of the world ? Definitely there could be. But it is out
of the austerity they made to seek God in whatever little
proportions in the earlier births that got them this gift.
Originally all were the same material. But the ones who
shaped and polished themselves by seeking the God
the Ultimate Truth shine Its glory through them, the
rest just continue to be the old bronze accumulating dirt.
sharaNas got secured at the Feet of God and
the rest who didn't seek are just the same mortals.
There is no question of what one is today, but it is the
effort one makes in worshiping God today that would
determine the future course.
(It is not intended to mean that none of the great
devotees are avatArs. But just to say that avatAr concept
should not be misused and every one can reach the
glorious state if there is effort and the blessing of God.)