భోగభాగ్యాలు అక్క కుడిస్తే, అంబటి పరకలు బావ కుడిచినాడు.

bhogabhagyalu akka kudiste, ambati parakalu bava kudichinadu.

Translation

While my sister enjoyed every luxury, my brother-in-law had nothing to eat but the scum of the porridge. Said of a man who is poorly treated in his father-in-law's house while his wife fares well.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation of extreme inequality within a family or partnership where one person enjoys all the benefits and luxuries, while the person responsible for or supporting them is left with the remains or suffers in poverty. It is used to highlight unfair distribution of wealth or credit.

Related Phrases

Eating in a house and then counting the rafters of that same house.

This proverb describes extreme ingratitude or treachery. It refers to a person who receives hospitality, food, or help from someone and then immediately looks for ways to harm them or calculate their wealth with bad intentions. It is used to criticize those who bite the hand that feeds them.

Like drinking milk and then punching the breast.

This proverb is used to describe extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a situation where someone receives help, nourishment, or kindness from a benefactor and then proceeds to harm or insult that very person. It is equivalent to the English expression 'biting the hand that feeds you.'

The luxuries are the sister's, but the grains in the porridge are the brother-in-law's.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person takes all the credit for outward appearances or status, while another person actually provides the essential resources or does the hard work. It highlights a parasitic relationship or a lack of gratitude toward the true provider.

Is it that the calf has sucked, or that [ the milk ] has fallen into the pail? In either way beneficial.

This expression is used to question where a resource or money went when there is nothing to show for it. It highlights a situation where something has been consumed or spent, but the result is neither productive (like a calf growing) nor preserved (like milk stored in a pot). It is typically used when someone is unaccountable for losses or missing items.

He sucked the milk, and struck the breast.

This expression is used to describe an act of extreme ingratitude or betrayal. It refers to a person who harms the very person who nurtured, helped, or supported them in their time of need.

Unless the calf sucks, the cow will not let milk into her udder.

This proverb is used to illustrate that certain outcomes or actions can only be triggered by a specific, natural catalyst. It often implies that one must offer a small incentive or initiate a process to get the desired result, or that a mother's affection/cooperation is invoked by the presence or needs of her child.

If the elder sister enjoys the eight types of fortunes, the types of porridge go to the brother-in-law.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person enjoys all the luxuries and benefits, while those associated with them (like a spouse or family) only get the meager or basic leftovers. It highlights the disparity in distribution of wealth or comfort within a household or partnership.

Like eating food that has no taste.

This expression is used to describe an experience or activity that is dull, uninteresting, or lacks any satisfaction. Just as eating tasteless food provides no pleasure despite fulfilling a necessity, it refers to performing a task or attending an event that is completely bland and monotonous.

Royal luxuries vs Ankamma's wild dances

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is a sharp contrast or contradiction between one's outward lifestyle and their actual behavior or reality. It often refers to someone who aspires for grand luxuries (Raagabhogalu) but acts in a chaotic, uncontrolled, or aggressive manner (Ankamma Shivalu), or a situation where things start with great pomp but end in chaos.

The offerings belong to Ankamma, but the celebratory shouts belong to Poleramma.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person does the hard work or provides the resources, but another person takes the credit or gets the limelight. It highlights an unfair distribution of recognition or benefits.