I was lucky to read this poem yesterday and scan it. This is also special in the treasure trove of DVG's writings because he composed it impromptu sitting in a park for a few minutes one evening, in the company of a stranger who was a Shiva Sharana mendicant. DVG, mistaken for one himself, came up with a pseudo-identity and sang this with mystical joy. Let me try and translate it for you!
My translation:
Oh, what play did Shiva play with abandon, with true panache!
Smearing Himself with ash all over, marrying the maiden on the hill,
What mad play of joyous abandon did Shiva play!
He made the snout for the elephant; our Shiva made the forked tongue for the snake.
Thus did Shiva fashion this upside-down world indeed!
He gave two eyes to the woman, but three eyes to the coconut!
Thus did Shiva fashion this upside-down world indeed!
Shiva made man and woman so different. And yet, he made them come together as one!
Thus did Shiva fashion this crazy, twisted world indeed!
Naked, danced Shiva! He created this world in total darkness!
Thus did Shiva fashion this crazy, twisted world indeed!
Brahma and Vishnu, created our Shiva!
He created Thimmalingayya* too,
Brahma, Vishnu, and Thimmalinga,
Are all an illusion, a mere stage play!
Thus did Shiva fashion this crazy, twisted world indeed!
Oh, what play did Shiva play with abandon, with true panache!
Smearing Himself with ash all over, marrying the maiden on the hill,
What mad play of joyous abandon did Shiva play!
(*DVG called himself that!)
***
Postscript: This poem was shown to us by Smt. Vijaya Anantha Murthy, truly fitting the word ಹೃದಯಸಂಪನ್ನರು - Those with enriched hearts.
