బతికితే భూదానం, చస్తే గోదానం
batikite bhudanam, chaste godanam
Land donation if one lives, cow donation if one dies.
This proverb refers to someone who is in a critical, life-threatening situation where they are making desperate promises or sacrifices regardless of the outcome. It is often used to describe a 'win-win' situation for a priest or a middleman who benefits from a person's rituals whether they survive (through land offerings) or pass away (through cow offerings for the soul's journey).
Related Phrases
చస్తే ఒక ఏడుపు, బతికితే బతుకంతా ఏడుపు
chaste oka edupu, batikite batukanta edupu
If one dies, there is one cry; if one lives, there is crying for a lifetime.
This proverb describes a situation where life is so filled with continuous suffering, misery, or struggle that death is seen as a singular moment of grief for others, whereas living is an endless cycle of pain for the individual. It is used to highlight extreme hardship or a state of perpetual sorrow.
దూడ చస్తే కమ్మలం, గేదె చస్తే నిమ్మళం
duda chaste kammalam, gede chaste nimmalam
If the calf dies there will be Kammalam, if the she buffalo dies there will be quiet. Kammalam, corrupted from the Tamil Kaimúlam (கைமூలం) is a name given to milk drawn from a cow or buffalo which has lost its calf.
This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.
పాలే చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
pale chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression describes a dilemma where one has to choose between preserving the quality of the contents (the goal) and the integrity of the container (the means/tool). It is used when a person is confused between two equally important or conflicting priorities, or when trying to handle a situation where fixing one thing might damage another.
పగలు చస్తే వాటికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపము లేదు
pagalu chaste vatiki ledu, ratri chaste dipamu ledu
If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.
అటైనా గోదానమే, ఇటైనా గోదానమే
ataina godaname, itaina godaname
Whether it's that way or this way, it's still the donation of a cow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the outcome remains the same regardless of which choice is made or which path is taken. It highlights that certain actions lead to the same result or require the same level of sacrifice, making the distinction between choices irrelevant.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు.
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu.
If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.
This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.
బతికితే అతిసారం, చస్తే కలరా
batikite atisaram, chaste kalara
If one survives, it is diarrhea; if one dies, it is cholera.
This expression is used to describe a 'no-win' or 'lose-lose' situation where both possible outcomes are negative or undesirable. It highlights a predicament where the choice is between a minor ailment and a fatal one, implying that there is no truly good option available.
కోతి చస్తే గోడ అవతల పారేసినట్లు
koti chaste goda avatala paresinatlu
Like throwing a monkey's carcass over the wall after it dies.
This expression describes a situation where someone performs a task in a very careless, hasty, or irresponsible manner just to get it over with, without any regard for the consequences or quality. It implies doing something purely as a formality or to shirk responsibility quickly.
పాలను చూడనా భాండాన్ని చూడనా
palanu chudana bhandanni chudana
Should I look at the milk or the vessel?
This expression is used to describe a dilemma where one must choose between the quality of the content and the appearance of the container. It is often applied to situations where someone is stuck between focusing on the value of a person or object versus their external flaws or surroundings.
పాలు చూడనా, భాండాన్ని చూడనా?
palu chudana, bhandanni chudana?
Are we to look at milk or at the pot? The pot is only valued for the milk in it. The jewel is not to be valued for the cabinet.
This expression is used when someone is in a dilemma or a state of confusion between two tasks or priorities, implying that they cannot focus on one thing without worrying about the other. It describes a situation where a person is overwhelmed by multiple responsibilities.