ఎచ్చులకు ఏలేశ్వరం పోతే, పక్కతోలు కుక్కలెత్తుకుపోయినవి.

echchulaku eleshvaram pote, pakkatolu kukkalettukupoyinavi.

Translation

When someone went to Yeleswaram for showing off, a dog ran away with their sleeping mat.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to show off or maintain a high social status they cannot afford, and in the process of pretending, they lose the basic necessities they already had. It serves as a warning against vanity and prioritizing false prestige over practical reality.

Related Phrases

When he went to Râmeśvaram, Śaneśvaram followed him.

This proverb describes a situation where a person's bad luck follows them no matter where they go or what remedies they seek. It is used to express that changing locations or seeking divine intervention sometimes does not solve problems if one's misfortune is persistent.

His bad luck followed him.—Śaneśvaram is an incorrect name given to the planet Saturn ; it appears to be a corruption of Sanaischar.

Appreciating someone and then asking them to wear a goatskin.

This proverb describes a situation where someone offers praise or appreciation initially, but follows it up with a suggestion or action that is actually insulting, downgrading, or harmful. It is used when a person's supposed 'reward' or 'compliment' turns out to be a burden or a mockery of their true status.

Going to Mekka and bringing back dog's dirt.

This expression is used to describe a person who goes on a great or sacred journey (or takes on a significant opportunity) but returns with something worthless or engages in something trivial and disgraceful. It highlights the irony of wasting a valuable opportunity or a holy pilgrimage by focusing on or bringing back something foul.

Once the need is fulfilled, the sister's husband is treated like a dog.

This proverb describes ingratitude. It is used to mock people who seek help from someone with great respect, but once their work is done or their need is met, they treat that same person with contempt or total disregard.

Like birds carrying away the upper garment during bad times.

This expression is used to describe a string of bad luck or an unfortunate period where everything goes wrong. It implies that when one is facing a 'bad time' (Kani Kalam), even the most unexpected or bizarre misfortunes—like a bird snatching the clothes off your back—can happen, leaving you helpless.

One who has gone for palm wine, one whose house is burning, and one who has gone to the toddy trees will not come even if their father dies.

This proverb describes people who are so deeply involved or stuck in specific situations that they cannot be reached or distracted by anything else, even a family tragedy. It highlights the behavior of those who are either too focused on their addictions (toddy/palm wine) or too overwhelmed by their own personal disasters (house burning) to fulfill social or family obligations.

If they approve of you they will cover you with a goat- skin; and if they choose you, with a sheepskin.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's kindness or simple needs are exploited. It suggests that when a person is too accommodating or humble, others take advantage of them by giving them low-quality things or burdens under the guise of 'honoring' or 'favoring' them. It highlights how modesty can sometimes invite mistreatment.

A star when seen (sitting), a dog when it gets up.

This expression is used to describe someone who appears calm, beautiful, or well-behaved while stationary or silent, but turns out to be aggressive, loud, or ill-mannered once they start acting or speaking. It is often used to warn that appearances can be deceptive.

Like a dog going to a village market

This expression is used to describe someone who goes to a place or joins an event where they have no purpose, relevance, or benefit. Just as a dog at a crowded market gets pushed around and gains nothing, it refers to aimless wandering or being out of place in a busy situation.

When he went to lap, his livelihood went. When a greedy man went to spoon upon another for his breakfast he was kept waiting so long that he lost his situation.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone, out of greed or a desire for small, insignificant gains (scraps/leftovers), ends up losing something very valuable or even their entire livelihood. It serves as a warning against being penny-wise and pound-foolish, or taking unnecessary risks for minor rewards.