ఆ అంటే అపశబ్దము, నారాయణా అంటే బూతుమాట.

a ante apashabdamu, narayana ante butumata.

Translation

If I say "Â" (yes), it's wrong; if I say "Nārāyaṇa," it's obscene.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely hypersensitive, hypercritical, or impossible to please. It depicts a situation where even the most innocent or sacred words (like 'Narayana') are deliberately misinterpreted as offensive or negative by someone looking for an excuse to find fault.

Notes

Faults are thick where love is thin. (Welsh.)

Related Phrases

If you say 'Uu' it's a mistake, if you say 'Aa' it's a mistake, and saying 'Narayana' is considered an insult.

This expression is used to describe an extremely difficult person or situation where no matter what you say or how politely you behave, the other person finds fault with it. It characterizes a scenario of irrational criticism where even a divine name (Narayana) is twisted into something negative.

When someone said 'Oh Ekaadasi Brahmin', he replied 'Will calamities come and live with me?'

This proverb is used to describe a person who is recklessly indifferent to warnings or signs of impending trouble. It mocks someone who, when cautioned about a small problem or a specific ritualistic requirement (like fasting on Ekaadasi), responds with extreme exaggeration or sarcasm instead of addressing the issue.

When one says 'In the house, Narayannamma', the other says 'Go, Govinda'

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total lack of coordination or communication between two people. When one person says something, the other gives a completely irrelevant or opposite response, leading to a situation where nothing gets accomplished due to the disconnect.

When said 'Stay, Narayanamma', she replied 'Go, Govinda'.

This proverb describes a situation where there is a complete lack of coordination or communication between two people. It is used when one person's words or actions are entirely irrelevant or contrary to what another person has said, often implying a stubborn or dismissive attitude.

When told to say 'Narayana' (God's name) on the deathbed, one said 'Sisa' (Bottle)

This proverb describes a situation where someone is given good or spiritual advice at a critical moment, but they respond with something trivial, irrelevant, or related to their bad habits. It highlights how difficult it is to change one's nature or focus on what is important, even in the final moments of life.

As long as there is a need, he is Adinarayana (God); once the need is fulfilled, he is Guda Narayana (worthless).

This proverb is used to describe opportunistic or selfish people who show great respect and devotion to someone only as long as they need a favor. Once their objective is achieved, they treat the same person with contempt or indifference.

When said 'Trust me, Narayana', he replied 'I would rather trust a fox'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has so little faith in a particular person that they would rather trust a notoriously cunning or deceitful entity (like a fox) instead. It highlights extreme distrust or the irony of someone untrustworthy asking for faith.

When asked to speak word by word, the parrot started speaking filth.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is encouraged to speak or participate, but they end up saying something inappropriate, offensive, or counterproductive. It is used when a person lacks discretion and spoils a situation by oversharing or using foul language when they were expected to be polite.

A gurgling sound is a loss to the pot.

This proverb implies that making unnecessary noise or talking too much about a plan or a secret can lead to its failure. Just as a gurgling sound in a pot might indicate a crack or an instability that could lead to the pot breaking, loose talk or 'noise' in business or personal matters can result in damage or loss.

Like saying 'Narayana' while following the tail

This expression describes a situation where someone blindly follows or agrees with someone else without thinking for themselves. It refers to a person who lacks an original opinion and simply mimics or supports whatever a more dominant person says or does, often in a submissive or sycophantic manner.