దొడ్డెడు గొడ్లను దొంగలు తోలుకపోతే, గొడ్డు గేదె శ్రీ మహాలక్ష్మి.

doddedu godlanu dongalu tolukapote, goddu gede shri mahalakshmi.

Translation

When thieves drive away a whole shed full of cattle, even a barren buffalo is considered Goddess Lakshmi.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who has lost everything suddenly realizes the value of the little that remains. It highlights how people ignore or undervalue their possessions when they have plenty, but start treating even the most useless or insignificant remnant as a precious treasure once a disaster strikes.

Related Phrases

After the whole of the cattle had been stolen from the shed, the barren buffalo became as valuable as Mahâ Lakshmi ( the goddess of fortune ).

This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to hide a loss or find false consolation by valuing something worthless only after their valuable assets are gone. It is used when someone suddenly appreciates a useless item or person simply because they have nothing better left, or when making excuses for a failure.

In a village without cows, even a barren buffalo is considered Goddess Lakshmi.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, in the absence of high-quality options or truly talented people, even someone with mediocre skills or a sub-par alternative is treated as superior or highly valuable. It is similar to the English expression 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

Loose change is the Goddess Mahalakshmi herself.

This expression is used to emphasize the importance of small denominations of money or loose change. It suggests that one should not underestimate the value of small coins, as they collectively represent wealth and are essential for daily transactions and financial discipline.

A barren buffalo is the emblem of Mahâ Lakshmî, in a village where there are no cows.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, in the absence of something truly superior or qualified, even a mediocre or inferior alternative is highly valued. It is similar to the English proverb 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

Mahâ Lakshmî is the goddess of fortune. The one-eyed is a king in the land of the blind.

Goddess Lakshmi has many incarnations.

This expression is used sarcastically to describe someone who is extremely moody, unpredictable, or puts on many different 'acts' and pretenses. It suggests that a person changes their behavior or temperament frequently, much like a deity taking on different forms.

When the owner said his she-buffalo was barren, the neigh- bour said it was milch. Applied to a spirit of contradiction.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an outsider or neighbor contradicts the owner's first-hand knowledge with baseless or overly optimistic claims. It highlights the tendency of people to comment or give unsolicited advice on matters they don't fully understand, often being more stubborn about the facts than the person directly involved in the situation.

In a village where there are no cows, a barren buffalo is considered Goddess Lakshmi.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where, in the absence of something truly high-quality or superior, even something mediocre or inferior is highly valued. It is similar to the English idiom 'In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

When the owner cried for the cow [he had lost,] the shoe- maker cried for the hide.

This proverb describes a situation where one person is mourning a great loss while another person is only interested in how they can selfishly profit from that tragedy. It highlights the contrast between genuine grief and cold-hearted opportunism.

It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

Monday is Shuba Lakshmi, Tuesday is Maha Lakshmi

This phrase is typically used by street vendors, beggars, or traditional performers to praise potential donors or customers on specific days of the week. It suggests that since the day is auspicious (Monday or Tuesday), the person giving charity or making a purchase will be blessed with prosperity and wealth. It is a form of rhythmic flattery used to encourage generosity.

It matters not which ford was crossed by the stolen ox. When one suffers a loss the cause matters little.

This proverb implies that when something is stolen or obtained illegally, the specific route or method of disposal doesn't matter to the thief, as the end result (the loss for the owner) is the same. It is used to suggest that once a situation is beyond repair or an asset is lost, the minor details of how it happened are irrelevant.