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ಅನ್ನದಾತುರಕಿಂತ ಚಿನ್ನದಾತುರ ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣ |
ಚಿನ್ನದಾತುರಕಿಂತ ಹೆಣ್ನುಗಂಡೊಲವು ||  
ಮನ್ನಣೆಯ ದಾಹವೀಯೆಲ್ಲಕಂ ತೀಕ್ಷ್ಣತಮ |
ತಿನ್ನುವುದದಾತ್ಮವನೆ - ಮಂಕುತಿಮ್ಮ ||

annadaaturakinta chinnadaatura tEkshNa|
chinnadaaturakinta heNNugandolavu||
mannaNeya daahavIyellakam teekshNatama|
tinnuvudadaathmavane - mankutimma.

(Version 1)
Than the craving for food, intense is the craving for wealth.
Than the craving for wealth, intense is the attraction of opposite sex.
Than all of these, most intense is the thirst for recognition.
It eats into one's soul - Mankutimma.

(Version 2)
Than hunger, acute is the craving for wealth;
Than wealth, acute is the attraction of sex;
Than all, most acute is the thirst for fame,
Gnaws into the soul - Mankutimma.