అర్జున ఫల్గుణ పడర పిడుగు అన్నాడట

arjuna phalguna padara pidugu annadata

Translation

" Arjuna, Bharjuna—Ah! the thunder bolt has fallen," he cried. The man in a fright tried to utter the spell given under No. 1444, but lost his head and broke down at the second word.

Meaning

This expression refers to a traditional belief that reciting the many names of the warrior Arjuna (like Phalguna) protects one from lightning. In a broader sense, it is used to describe someone who tries to use charms, prayers, or shortcuts at the last minute to escape an inevitable danger or a situation they are afraid of.

Related Phrases

The one who turns the cows back is Arjuna.

This expression originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Arjuna's feat of retrieving stolen cattle during the Virata Parva. It is used to describe a person who proves their true competence or heroism by successfully completing a difficult task or solving a crisis, rather than just talking about it.

Reciting the Arjuna-Mantra (used for protection against lightning) after passing gas.

This proverb is used to describe a person who behaves with excessive, unnecessary, or misplaced grandiosity for a trivial or embarrassing act. It highlights the irony of using a 'sacred' or 'mighty' invocation to cover up or dignify a very common and unrefined biological occurrence.

Arjuna was the man who brought back the cows [ of Virāṭa ]. ( See Virāṭaparva of the Mahābhārata. ) Used when speaking of a man to whom the credit of any successful undertaking is really due.

This expression refers to a story from the Mahabharata (Virata Parva) where Arjuna, in disguise, single-handedly defeats the Kaurava army to rescue the stolen cattle of King Virata. In modern usage, it is used to describe a person who steps up in a crisis, takes full responsibility, and successfully completes a difficult task that others could not.

The one who brings back the cows is Arjuna.

This proverb originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Arjuna's victory in retrieving the stolen cattle during the Virata Parva. It is used to emphasize that the person who successfully completes a difficult task or delivers results in a crisis is the one who truly deserves the credit and title of a hero, regardless of past reputation or talk.

Like saying it's a thunderbolt as soon as the Lingam is tied.

This proverb describes someone who is extremely impatient and expects immediate results right after an action is initiated. It refers to the absurdity of expecting a divine sign or a consequence (like a thunderbolt) the very moment a ritual or task has just begun.

If you hold an umbrella, can it stop a lightning strike?

This proverb is used to highlight the inadequacy of small or trivial efforts when facing a major disaster or an overwhelming force. It suggests that certain problems are so massive that common defensive measures are completely useless against them.

Will an umbrella stop a thunderbolt?

This expression is used to highlight the futility of using weak or insignificant defenses against a massive, overwhelming force or a major disaster. It suggests that certain problems are too big to be solved by trivial means.

Is holding an umbrella an obstacle to a lightning bolt?

This expression is used to describe a situation where a small or inadequate solution is proposed for a massive, unstoppable problem. It highlights the futility of using weak defenses against powerful forces or inevitable consequences.

Like a thunderbolt falling the moment one steps in.

This expression is used to describe an unfortunate coincidence where a disaster or a piece of very bad news occurs immediately after someone's arrival. It is often used to imply that a person's entry brought bad luck or that they arrived at an extremely ill-fated moment.

A massive lightning bolt fell upon the poor man.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is already struggling or living in poverty is struck by a major, unexpected disaster or misfortune. It highlights the cruelty of fate where those with the least resources are often the ones hit hardest by life's calamities.