పుచ్చుకున్నప్పుడు పుత్రుడు పుట్టినంత సంతోషం, ఇచ్చేటప్పుడు ఇంటాయన పోయినంత దుఃఖం

puchchukunnappudu putrudu puttinanta santosham, ichchetappudu intayana poyinanta duhkham

Translation

Happiness like that of a son's birth when receiving, and sorrow like that of a husband's death when giving back.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person's hypocrisy or double standards regarding money or favors. It highlights how some people are extremely joyful when taking a loan or receiving help, but feel immense pain and bitterness when the time comes to repay it or return the favor.

Related Phrases

Impurity (Purudu) at birth.

This phrase refers to the traditional period of ritual impurity observed by a family after a child is born. In a broader philosophical context, it is often paired with 'Chachinappudu sutakam' (ritual impurity at death) to signify that life is bookended by ceremonies and certain constraints, or to imply that every beginning has its own set of initial challenges or obligations.

The giver feels like a corpse is leaving the house, while the receiver feels like he is performing a ritual for a son.

This proverb describes the contrasting emotions in a transaction or lending situation. The person giving away money or a resource feels a sense of loss and mourning (similar to a death in the house), whereas the person receiving it feels immense joy and celebration (similar to the happiness of a holy ritual to gain an heir). It is used to highlight how painful it is to part with wealth and how delightful it is to acquire it.

Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, disease is suffering, everything is suffering.

Derived from Buddhist philosophy, this expression highlights the fundamental truth of human existence: that life is inherently filled with various forms of pain and hardship. It is used to describe the cycle of life and the inevitability of suffering across different stages—from birth to old age and illness.

Neither the woman who lost her earring is sad, nor the woman who found it is happy.

This expression refers to an object or a situation that is of such low value or triviality that its loss doesn't affect the owner, and its discovery doesn't benefit the finder. It is used to describe things that are practically useless or insignificant to everyone involved.

There is no sorrow like losing a calf, and no happiness like the yield of milk.

This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.

Ugadi was born when the village was born

This expression is used to describe something that has existed since the very beginning or has been a tradition since time immemorial. It signifies that a practice or an event is as old as the foundation of the place or community itself.

Up the waist in grief, up to the knees in joy.

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a small amount of relief or joy amidst an overwhelming amount of grief or trouble. It highlights that the positive aspect, though present, is significantly smaller than the hardship being faced.

Horse gram while coming, sesame seeds while going.

This proverb refers to a person who is extremely clever and self-serving. It describes someone who demands nutritious food like horse gram when arriving as a guest, but demands valuable sesame seeds to take away when leaving. It is used to mock people who look for personal profit in every interaction or those who are never satisfied with what they receive.

If it is not meant to stick, it won't stick even if you apply castor oil.

This proverb is used to describe a state of detachment or bad luck where things simply don't fall into place despite effort. It implies that when circumstances are not favorable or when one's destiny is not aligned, no amount of 'lubrication' or extra effort can force a result. It is often used to describe someone who remains unaffected by situations or someone whose efforts are yielding no results due to bad timing.

Giving is like Kāma's festival, taking is like the feast of Dīpāvali.

This proverb describes a person's hypocritical attitude towards money or favors. They are extremely enthusiastic and happy when receiving something (like the bright celebration of Diwali), but they become miserable, reluctant, or delay indefinitely when it is time to give back or pay a debt (referring to the bonfire/mourning aspect of Kamuni Pandaga/Holi).

Kāmadāhana is the mournful commemoration of the burning of Kandarpa or Kāmadeva ( the god of love ) by the fire from Śiva's eye, when he in- terrupted the god in his devotions. Dīpāvali or Dīpāḷi is a joyous festival with nocturnal illuminations in honour of Kārtikeya. The name signifies " a row of lamps."