చూచి రమ్మంటే, కాల్చి వచ్చినాడట

chuchi rammante, kalchi vachchinadata

Translation

When asked to go and see, he went and burnt it down.

Meaning

This proverb is inspired by the character Hanuman from the Ramayana, who was sent to find Sita but ended up burning Lanka. It is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task far exceeding the original instructions, often in a bold, aggressive, or transformative way. It can be used both as praise for initiative or as a critique for overstepping bounds.

Related Phrases

The one who burnt Lanka is Rama's servant.

This expression refers to Hanuman, who burned the city of Lanka but remained humble as a servant of Lord Rama. It is used to describe a person who achieves a massive feat or performs an incredible task but remains modest and attributes the success to their mentor or leader.

If one says "O life! I died by mistake, come back," will the life return?

This proverb is used to convey that certain actions are irreversible. Just as life cannot return once it has left the body—regardless of whether the death was accidental or intentional—certain mistakes cannot be undone, and lost opportunities or broken trust cannot be restored simply by wishing for them.

When he was sent to find out, he ate and returned.

This proverb describes a person who completely ignores the original purpose of a task or instruction and instead focuses on their own comfort or personal interests. It is used to mock someone's irresponsibility or lack of focus when they are sent on an errand but get distracted by something trivial or beneficial to themselves.

When told to go and look, he goes and burns. Alluding to the story of Hanumân setting fire to Lankâ, when sent to look for Sitâ.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks common sense or discretion and overreacts to a simple task. Instead of just gathering information or observing as instructed, they act impulsively and cause unnecessary destruction or trouble. It is often used to criticize someone who makes a situation worse due to their lack of understanding or excessive zeal.

In favorable times, a son will be born who can already walk.

This proverb is used to describe a streak of extreme good luck. It suggests that when one's fortune is at its peak, everything happens effortlessly and yields extraordinary results beyond expectations. It is often cited when a person experiences a series of positive events where even the smallest effort leads to great success.

When asked to just go and see, he came back married.

This proverb describes a situation where someone exceeds their brief or instructions in an impulsive or extreme way, often causing unintended consequences. It is used when a person is sent for a simple task but ends up making a major, permanent decision without permission.

The man who burnt Lankâ is Hanumân.

This phrase is used to give credit to the person who actually performed a task or took a significant action, often used when clarifying roles in a major event or recognizing true bravery and capability.

Having mounted [the tree] and felt [the fruit], he came down again and threw stones at it.

This proverb describes someone who thoroughly inspects or enjoys something, only to criticize or devalue it immediately afterward. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the ungrateful behavior of people who benefit from a situation and then speak ill of it.

Asked to go and see, but came back after burning it down

This expression is used when someone exceeds their instructions or limits in a way that causes significant damage or unexpected consequences. It originates from the Ramayana, where Hanuman was sent to find Sita but ended up burning Lanka. In modern usage, it describes someone who does much more than asked, often resulting in overkill or unnecessary destruction.

I shall never forget the lady who burnt my stomach [i. e. who fed me insufficiently ] in the famine time.

This proverb is used to express deep gratitude towards someone who helped you during your most difficult or desperate times. It emphasizes that acts of kindness received during a crisis are unforgettable.