చచ్చినవాని పెండ్లికి వచ్చినంత కట్నము.

chachchinavani pendliki vachchinanta katnamu.

Translation

Any quantity of presents must suffice at a dead man's marriage. When a marriage takes place, presents of cloths are sent to the bride and bridegroom by their relations. Return gifts of about equal value are made shortly after the marriage. Should the bridegroom, however, die during the ceremonies, no presents are returned, and no complaints are therefore made regarding the value of those received.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where one should be content with whatever little benefit or payment they receive in a hopeless or lost situation. Since a dead man cannot marry, any dowry received is an unexpected bonus from a failed endeavor.

Related Phrases

When asked to speak auspicious words, the groom said all the married women at the wedding are his senior wives.

This proverb is used to describe a person who says something incredibly foolish, offensive, or inappropriate when asked to speak or act properly. It highlights the irony of someone ruining a positive situation by being tactless or utterly lacking common sense.

The reputation gained will not leave even after death

This expression emphasizes that once a person earns a certain reputation—whether good or bad—it stays with them for life and remains even after they pass away. It is often used to remind someone that their actions have long-lasting consequences on their legacy.

Is everyone who comes to a wedding a bride?

This expression is used to remind someone that not every participant in an event or a process holds a primary or significant role. It highlights that just because someone is present or involved in a situation, it doesn't mean they possess the same status or importance as the central figure. It is often used to mock someone who assumes an unearned level of importance.

A dead man's eyes are very broad.

This proverb is used to describe how people tend to exaggerate the qualities or achievements of someone after they are gone or after an opportunity is lost. It highlights the human tendency to over-praise or sentimentalize things that are no longer available to be verified.

Lavishing praises on the dead which were not bestowed on the living. * Mellitum venenum, blanda oratio. † Palabras azucaradas por mas son amargas.

The children of the deceased woman are under the feet of the newcomer.

This proverb describes the plight of motherless children who are often neglected or mistreated by a stepmother or a new person entering the household. It is used to highlight situations where vulnerable individuals lose their protection and are left at the mercy of someone who may not care for their well-being.

Have you come to eat or to visit the shrine ?

This expression is used to question a person's priorities or motives when they seem more interested in superficial benefits (like food) rather than the primary purpose or spiritual significance of an event (like receiving holy water at a temple). It is often used to chide someone who is distracted by secondary perks.

When marriage comes, or vomiting, it cannot be stopped.

This proverb is used to indicate that certain events in life are inevitable and beyond human control once they are set in motion. Just as a physical urge like vomiting cannot be suppressed, significant life events like marriage will happen when the time is right, regardless of attempts to delay or stop them.

The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

Calumny is not removed even by death.

This expression is used to describe a deeply ingrained habit, trait, or skill that stays with a person throughout their lifetime. It suggests that once something is learned or becomes part of a person's nature, it is nearly impossible to change or get rid of it.

Slander leaves a slur. Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.

The over liberal man is ruined ; when a man dies, his debts go with him.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.