The Metaphor of the Mind as a Horse: A Yogic Interpretation of Shishunala Sharif’s “Entha Mojina Kudure”

Shishunala Sharif, a mystic poet from Karnataka, stands out in Kannada literature for bridging India’s spiritual and folk traditions. His poetry “Entha Mojina Kudure” (What a Delightful Horse) is a metaphor-filled masterpiece portraying the human mind as a horse needing guidance, discipline, and devotion. Sharif uses simple, relatable imagery to capture deep spiritual experiences, drawing on yogic and tantric philosophies. This study examines the poem’s philosophical and historical context, emphasizing its spiritual teachings, yogic symbolism, and societal relevance.