అశ్రద్ధ పితృలకు ఏతాం తర్పణము
ashraddha pitrilaku etam tarpanamu
The water drawn with the Picota is the drink offering of dis- regarded ancestors.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task or a ritual with utter carelessness or lack of devotion. Just as ancestors should be offered water with respect (Tarpana), using a large irrigation lift (Yetam) implies doing it crudely or excessively just to get it over with. It highlights doing things for the sake of formality without any genuine sincerity.
Tarpana is a drink offering to the manes of deceased ancestors (Pitris). An irreverent fellow, when pressed by his friends to perform the cere- mony, offered the water he was drawing for other purposes. An unwilling action, done to satisfy others.
Related Phrases
గాలికి పోయిన పేలపిండి రామార్పణమన్నట్టు
galiki poyina pelapindi ramarpanamannattu
Like saying flour blown away by the wind is an offering to Lord Rama.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be charitable or generous with something they have already lost or cannot use. It refers to making a virtue out of necessity or claiming credit for a sacrifice that wasn't intentional.
లంజ పితృదేవతలకు పెట్టి ఆకాశం చూసినట్టు
lanja pitridevatalaku petti akasham chusinattu
A harlot made an offering to the manes of her ancestors and looked towards heaven.
This expression is used to describe hypocritical behavior or someone performing a pious act while their character or intentions are completely contradictory to the sanctity of the ritual. It highlights the irony of someone who lacks virtue expecting divine or traditional rewards through superficial actions.
మితం తప్పితే హితం తప్పుతుంది
mitam tappite hitam tapputundi
If moderation is missed, well-being is lost.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of moderation in all aspects of life. It suggests that once a person exceeds limits—whether in food, speech, or behavior—the benefit or goodness associated with it disappears and leads to negative consequences.
తల్లి తర్పణానికే తక్కువైతే, పినతల్లికి పెట్టరా పిండప్రదానం అన్నట్లు.
talli tarpananike takkuvaite, pinatalliki pettara pindapradanam annatlu.
When there is not enough even for the mother's rites, he asks to perform rituals for the stepmother/aunt.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to fulfill basic or essential needs, yet they are asked or attempt to fulfill secondary or less important demands. It highlights misplaced priorities or the irony of demanding extra when the fundamentals are not met.
అక్కమ్మ శ్రాద్ధానికి అదిశ్రవణము
akkamma shraddhaniki adishravanamu
Adishravanam (an unrelated ritual) for Akkamma's funeral ceremony.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is an unnecessary or irrelevant delay, or when someone brings up unrelated matters that prolong a task. It highlights the act of complicating a simple procedure with unnecessary additions or rituals.
సముద్రానికి ఏతము వేసినట్లు
samudraniki etamu vesinatlu
Like fixing a pump to the sea. For full description of the Etam, Etām or Yâtâm (the Indian swape called by the English Picota) see Buchanan's Mysore. He is building a bridge over the sea.
This expression describes a futile or insignificant effort. An 'Etamu' (picota) is a traditional tool used to draw water from small wells for irrigation; using such a small tool to try and empty or impact a vast ocean is pointless and ineffective. It is used when someone's efforts are grossly inadequate for the scale of the task at hand.
తల్లి తర్పణానికే తక్కువైతే, పినతల్లికి పిండప్రదానమట
talli tarpananike takkuvaite, pinatalliki pindapradanamata
When there isn't enough for the mother's rites, one offers rituals to the stepmother.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who ignores their primary responsibilities or immediate family needs while showing off or performing unnecessary favors for others. It highlights the irony of neglecting a core duty while pretending to be generous or diligent elsewhere.
ధర్మోదకాలలో రాని పితరుడు తర్పణాలలో వచ్చినట్లు
dharmodakalalo rani pitarudu tarpanalalo vachchinatlu
Like an ancestor who didn't show up for the general offerings appearing for the specific rituals.
This expression is used to describe a person who is absent when they are needed for simple or general tasks, but suddenly appears when there is something specific, beneficial, or formal happening. It highlights the inconsistency or opportunistic nature of someone's presence.
గుమ్మడికాయ దొరికిననాడు తర్పణం వదలినట్లు
gummadikaya dorikinanadu tarpanam vadalinatlu
Like performing an ancestral ritual on the day a pumpkin is found.
This proverb describes someone who is extremely stingy or opportunistic, performing a religious or social obligation only when the necessary materials (in this case, a pumpkin for ritualistic offerings) are obtained for free or by chance, rather than out of genuine devotion or at the proper scheduled time.
పెడితే పెళ్లి, పెట్టకపోతే శ్రాద్ధం
pedite pelli, pettakapote shraddham
If you feast me [I shall consider it] a marriage and if not, a funeral.
This expression describes a person with a fickle or opportunistic nature who praises you when you provide them with benefits but turns hostile and curses you the moment you stop. It highlights extreme inconsistency in behavior based solely on self-interest.
Fair and foul words.