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ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಯೊಂದರ ರಗಳೆ ಸಾಲದೆಂದೇನೊ ವಿಧಿ |
ಹೊಟ್ಟೆಕಿಚ್ಚಿನ ಕಿಡಿಯ ನೆಟ್ಟಿಹನು ನರನೊಳ್ ||
ಹೊಟ್ಟೆ ತುಂಬಿದ ತೋಳ ಮಲಗೀತು; ನೀಂ ಪೆರರ |
ದಿಟ್ಟಿಸುತ ಕರುಬುವೆಯೊ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ||

hoTTeyondara ragaLe saaladendEno vidhi |
hoTTekicchina kiDiya neTTihanu naranoL ||
hoTTe tumbida tOLa malagItu; nIm perara |  
diTTisuta karubuveyo - mankutimma ||

As if the troubles to fill stomach were not enough,
Fate has implanted in man the spark of envy.
A well fed wolf may sleep; But thou stare at others
And suffer being jealous - Mankutimma.

Translator's note: The interplay of sound in the choice of the words 'hoTTe' (=stomach) and 'hoTTekicchu' (=envy) and also the intelligent use of 'wolf', an animal known to be always hungry are just among the many illustrations of the poet's sensitivity and genius.