బోదనం కొట్టితే రాజనం పండును

bodanam kottite rajanam pandunu

Translation

If you strike the 'Bodanam' weed, the 'Rajanam' rice will grow.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and timely weeding in agriculture. 'Bodanam' is a weed that mimics the appearance of rice plants; if a farmer identifies and removes it diligently, they will yield high-quality 'Rajanam' rice (a superior variety). It is used to suggest that eliminating negative elements or putting in specific effort leads to excellent results.

Related Phrases

If you slap one cheek, milk [comes ]; if you slap the other cheek, water [comes ]. Said of a very tender, delicate boy.

This expression is used to describe someone who is extremely innocent, tender, or young. It signifies a person who is so soft and fragile that they haven't yet experienced the harshness of the world, often referring to infants or very naive individuals.

When the man received a blow on his back, he cried out that he had lost his teeth.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no logical connection between a cause and its effect, or when someone gives an irrelevant or illogical response to a situation. It highlights absurdity and a lack of correlation.

Applied to inappropriate actions or words.

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).

Like the daughter-in-law crying when the mother-in-law is beaten.

This proverb describes a situation where someone feigns sympathy or performs a fake reaction out of obligation or fear, rather than genuine emotion. It refers to hypocritical behavior where a person pretends to be upset about something that actually benefits them or that they are secretly indifferent to, similar to 'crocodile tears'.

If the west wind blows, high-quality rice will grow even on pandals.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb. It signifies that the 'Patamata' (Western/North-western) wind is extremely auspicious and beneficial for the growth of fine rice varieties (Rajanalu). It implies that with favorable nature or the right conditions, even unconventional places can yield great success.

When hit on the hip, it is said that the teeth fell out.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cause and the effect are completely unrelated or illogical. It highlights a scenario where a punishment or action is misdirected, or when someone gives an absurd excuse that defies common sense.

If Java plums ripen, the lands will flourish.

This is a traditional agricultural observation. It implies that a bountiful harvest of Jamun (Java plum) fruits indicates favorable weather conditions and a good monsoon, which in turn leads to a successful agricultural season and fertile yields across the lands.

If you cut fire it will be divided, but if you cut water will it divide ?

This proverb emphasizes the unbreakable bond of family or blood relations. It suggests that while some things can be easily divided or destroyed (like fire scattering), certain relationships (like water) are cohesive and cannot be permanently separated by outside force or internal conflict. It is used to express that family members will eventually reunite regardless of disputes.

Inseparable friendship. They are finger and thumb.

If you abuse—anger; if you beat—pain.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely sensitive or lacks resilience. It highlights that they react negatively to even the smallest forms of criticism or physical hardship. It can also be used to point out obvious cause-and-effect reactions in human emotions and physical sensations.

Will a ruined field produce sugarcane or high-quality rice?

This proverb suggests that you cannot expect a superior or high-quality outcome from a foundation that is fundamentally damaged or poor. It is used to emphasize that the quality of the result is directly dependent on the quality of the source or environment.