దశ దానాలకూ తోటకూర కట్ట.

dasha danalaku totakura katta.

Translation

For the ten gifts, [I give you] a bundle of greens.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who tries to offer a single, cheap, or insignificant item to fulfill multiple obligations or to please many people. It highlights stinginess or the act of making a small gesture seem like a grand contribution.

Notes

The Daśa Dânâlu ( ten gifts to Brahmans ) are as follows :— గోభూతిలహిరణ్యాజ్యవాసోధాన్యగుడానిచ। రౌప్యంలవణమిత్యేతేదశదానాఃప్రకీర్తితాః॥ A cow; land; sesamum seed; gold; ghee; cloth; grain; molasses; silver; and salt. Cheating the Brahmans.

Related Phrases

Like saying 'Don't abuse me, you son of a slave'

This expression describes a hypocritical or contradictory situation where a person uses an insult while simultaneously asking someone else not to insult them. It is used to mock people who do exactly what they are preaching against, or those who lack self-awareness in their speech.

Modesty is like garden greens. They sprout again after being cut. Tōtakūra is specially applied to the Amaranthus Tristis.

This expression is used to mock someone who claims to be shy or modest but lacks true integrity. Just as amaranth wilts quickly and grows back easily, the person's 'shame' is considered superficial, temporary, or easily discarded when it suits their needs.

Malabar spinach for show, and Amaranth if one can't eat it.

This proverb describes a person who boasts or maintains high appearances (symbolized by the slightly more 'sophisticated' Malabar spinach) despite their actual circumstances being humble or common (represented by the everyday Amaranth). It is used to mock people who act superior but live ordinary lives, or those who pretend to be picky about things they cannot afford.

Age is crunchy, duck is crunchy.

This expression is used to describe the vigor and energy of youth. It implies that during one's prime age, even a tough or 'crunchy' meat like duck can be easily digested and enjoyed. It signifies that everything seems favorable and manageable when one is young and healthy.

A mother-in-law's desire for a son-in-law, a priest's desire for dal (lentils).

This proverb is used to describe predictable or characteristic desires. Just as it is common for a mother-in-law to favor her son-in-law or a traditional priest to have a fondness for the food served at rituals (specifically dal), it refers to people having natural, expected, or deep-seated longings for certain things.

Like saying, 'You didn't even tell me on the day of the amaranth greens, my son!'

This expression refers to a famous story where a son, about to be executed for a major crime, blames his mother for not correcting his behavior when he first started with a small theft (stealing amaranth greens). It is used to describe situations where a lack of timely correction or failure to address small mistakes leads to a major catastrophe later on.

Would one bring a gold necklace (Chandraharam) for a leafy vegetable?

This expression is used when someone goes to an extreme or unnecessary length to accomplish a very simple or minor task. It highlights a lack of proportion, suggesting that the effort or cost involved is far greater than what the situation actually requires.

Like amaranth greens

This expression is used to describe something or someone extremely delicate, tender, or fragile. Just as amaranth leaves wilt quickly or are easily crushed, this phrase characterizes a person's physical constitution or a sensitive situation that requires very careful handling.

No acridity in Kanda or Chêma, how can there be any in Tôṭakûra ?

This expression is used to mock someone who is unnecessarily bothered or offended by something when the people directly involved are perfectly fine. It highlights the absurdity of an outsider reacting more strongly than the principal parties, similar to the English sentiment of being 'more Catholic than the Pope.'

Kanda is the Arum Campanulatum; Chêma is the Colocasia Antiquorum; Tôṭakûra is applied to the Amaranthus Oleraceus, and other herbs. When a man's relatives and friends won't assist him, why should help be expected from a mere acquaintance ?

For rains Makha, for dogs Chitta.

This proverb refers to the Indian astrological lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It suggests that the Makha Nakshatra period is known for heavy rainfall, while the Chitta Nakshatra period is associated with the breeding season or increased activity of dogs. It is used to describe the characteristic traits or expected behaviors of specific seasonal periods.