ఆవగింజకు సందువుంటే, అరవై గారెలు అప్పుడే తిననా?

avaginjaku sanduvunte, aravai garelu appude tinana?

Translation

Had there been room for a mustard seed, would I not have eaten sixty more cakes? A glutton suffering from indigestion after a feast was recommended to eat some mustard, when he replied as above.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a gluttonous person who claims they cannot eat any more because they are completely full, yet they imply that if there were even the slightest bit of space left in their stomach, they would have devoured much more. It highlights greed or an insatiable appetite.

Related Phrases

A broad bean seed does not know its own vine.

This proverb is used to describe a person who forgets their origins or humble beginnings after achieving success. Just as a bean grows on a vine but eventually loses its connection or awareness of the plant that supported it, it refers to individuals who become arrogant or ungrateful towards their roots or the people who helped them rise.

Eating and eating, even vada tastes bitter.

This proverb suggests that even something wonderful or delicious can become tiresome or unpleasant if experienced in excess. It is used to describe the point of satiety or boredom when someone overindulges in a particular pleasure, luxury, or activity.

Like worrying over a lost mustard seed while being unaware of the lost pumpkin.

This proverb describes a person who stresses over trivial, minor losses or details while completely ignoring a much larger, more significant problem or loss. It is used to point out a lack of perspective or misplaced priorities.

If one eats vomit, even vadas (garelu) will taste bitter.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their sense of appreciation or value due to poor habits or bad company. It suggests that when someone is accustomed to something foul or inferior, they cannot enjoy or recognize the quality of something good. It is often used to mock someone who complains about good things after indulging in something bad.

Eating and eating, even the fried doughnuts (garelu) turn bitter.

This proverb describes the concept of diminishing returns or over-indulgence. Even something as delicious as 'Garelu' (a savory snack) can become unpleasant or repulsive if consumed in excess. It is used to suggest that anything, no matter how good, loses its charm or becomes tiresome when overdone or repeated too often.

To a person with a full stomach, even vadas (sweets/savories) taste bitter.

This proverb describes how a person's needs and desires change based on their current state. When someone is satisfied or has plenty, they no longer value things that are otherwise considered precious or delicious. It is used to remark on people who show lack of interest or find faults in something good because they are already satiated or over-privileged.

If you listen, listen to the Bhârata; if you eat, eat cakes.

This expression is used to describe the pinnacle of excellence in a specific category. It implies that if one wants to experience the best of something, they should choose the absolute finest. The Mahabharata is considered the greatest epic to listen to, just as Garelu (deep-fried lentil donuts) are considered the most delicious traditional snack to eat.

As there are thorns on the nightshade so is there roughness on the Kâkara.

This proverb emphasizes that natural traits, flaws, or defenses are inherent from birth or origin. It is used to describe situations where a person's behavior or a thing's characteristics are innate and not acquired later in life. It suggests that every being comes equipped with its own unique nature, whether pleasant or prickly.

Mulaka is the Solanum Trilobatum. One man foolish in one way and one man in another.

Even a mustard seed cannot be hidden in his mouth. A gossipping fellow who repeats all he hears.

This expression is used to describe someone who cannot keep a secret. Just as a tiny mustard seed is hard to keep still in one's mouth, this person feels a restless urge to reveal any information or secrets they hear to others immediately.

Cakes are bitter to a man with his belly full. A rich man will not care for trifling gains.

When someone is satisfied or has had too much of something, even the most delicious or valuable things lose their appeal and become undesirable. It is used to describe how a person's needs or state of mind dictate their appreciation of a luxury or favor.