ఏకాదశి బ్రాహ్మణుడా అంటే, కాలే కొరివి యెగసన తోస్తావా అన్నాడట—ద్వాదశి బ్రాహ్మణుడా అంటే, ఆపదలు కాపురం చేస్తావా అన్నాడట.
ekadashi brahmanuda ante, kale korivi yegasana tostava annadata—dvadashi brahmanuda ante, apadalu kapuram chestava annadata.
"Is it the fast O Brahman?" [asked one] "Will you stir up the fire?" [replied the Brahman already irritated by fasting]. "Is it the festival?" [said the first]. "Do troubles last for ever?" [answered the Brahman, de- lighted at the prospect of being fed.] Welcome and unwelcome intelligence.
This proverb describes people who are overly superstitious or pedantic about words, interpreting even neutral addresses as bad omens. 'Ekadasi' is associated with fasting (hunger/burning), and 'Dwadasi' is associated with breaking the fast (often linked to various rituals). It is used to mock those who find negative hidden meanings in harmless greetings or titles, or those who are perpetually cranky and reactionary regardless of how they are addressed.
Related Phrases
గంత కట్టేదా బసవన్నా అంటే ఉహూ అని, గుగ్గిళ్ళు తింటావా అంటే ఆహా అన్నదట
ganta katteda basavanna ante uhu ani, guggillu tintava ante aha annadata
When asked 'Shall I tie a blindfold, Basavanna?', he said 'No', but when asked 'Will you eat boiled grains?', he said 'Yes'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who avoids hard work or responsibility but is the first one to show up for benefits or food. It highlights opportunism and laziness.
కత్తేస్తావా, బద్దేస్తావా అన్నట్లు
kattestava, baddestava annatlu
Like asking, 'Will you take the scissors or the stick?'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to choose between two equally difficult or unpleasant options, or when someone is being interrogated/threatened with no easy way out. It implies a 'stuck between a rock and a hard place' scenario where both outcomes are undesirable.
నమ్మితి రామన్నా అంటే, నా అంతవాణ్ని చేస్తానన్నట్టు.
nammiti ramanna ante, na antavanni chestanannattu.
When a man expressed his trust in Râmanna, the latter promised to make him as great a man as himself. Râmanna was really a beggar though pretending to be a great man.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's trust or reliance on another person results in them being dragged down to that person's level of misfortune or mediocrity. It warns about trusting people who are in a bad state themselves, as they might end up making your situation as bad as theirs.
ఏకాదశి బ్రాహ్మణుడా అంటే ఆపదలు కాపురాలు చేస్తాయా అన్నాడట
ekadashi brahmanuda ante apadalu kapuralu chestaya annadata
When someone said 'Oh Ekaadasi Brahmin', he replied 'Will calamities come and live with me?'
This proverb is used to describe a person who is recklessly indifferent to warnings or signs of impending trouble. It mocks someone who, when cautioned about a small problem or a specific ritualistic requirement (like fasting on Ekaadasi), responds with extreme exaggeration or sarcasm instead of addressing the issue.
పన్నెండు ఆమడల మధ్య బ్రాహ్మణుడు లేకపోతే యజ్ఞం చేయిస్తాను అన్నాడట
pannendu amadala madhya brahmanudu lekapote yajnyam cheyistanu annadata
If there is no Brahman within a hundred miles, I'll conduct the sacrifice. An ignorant professor gets on well in the absence of the learned.
This expression is used to describe someone who makes grand, empty promises or boasts about doing something difficult only when they are certain that the necessary conditions or resources (in this case, a priest) are unavailable. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of genuine intent to follow through.
పత్తిగింజలు తింటావా బసవన్నా అంటే ఆహా అన్నాడట, గంత కట్టనా బసవన్నా అంటే వూహూ అన్నాడట.
pattiginjalu tintava basavanna ante aha annadata, ganta kattana basavanna ante vuhu annadata.
When Basavanna was asked if he would eat cotton seed, he said "Âhâ"; when Basavanna was asked whether he would have on the pack saddle he said "Uhû."
This proverb describes a person who is eager to accept benefits or rewards but refuses to do the associated work or take on responsibilities. It is used to mock people who want the perks without the effort.
Basavanna is the name of a bull sacred to Siva. Bullocks are often familiarly called by this name. Âhâ is an exclamation signifying consent. Uhâ signifies refusal.
చద్ది తెచ్చుకొన్న బ్రాహ్మణుడా భోజనం చెయ్యి
chaddi techchukonna brahmanuda bhojanam cheyyi
Oh Brahmin who brought your own cold rice, please have your meal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is invited or offered something that they have already prepared or provided for themselves. It highlights a redundant or insincere gesture of hospitality where the host isn't actually providing anything new or helpful.
పన్నెండు ఆమడల మధ్య బ్రాహ్మణుడు లేకపోతే యజ్ఞం చేయిస్తానన్నాడట.
pannendu amadala madhya brahmanudu lekapote yajnyam cheyistanannadata.
He said he would perform the ritual if no priest was found within twelve miles.
This proverb is used to describe a person who makes grand promises or offers help only under impossible or highly unlikely conditions. It highlights insincerity and the tendency to set unreachable criteria just to escape responsibility while appearing generous.
ఏట్లో వంకాయలు కాస్తాయా అంటే, కాస్తాయి అన్నట్టు.
etlo vankayalu kastaya ante, kastayi annattu.
Like saying "yes" when asked whether brinjals grow in the river. A time server.
This expression is used to describe a person who agrees with everything someone says, even if it is logically impossible or absurd, usually to avoid conflict, please someone, or out of pure sycophancy. It highlights a lack of independent thinking or honesty.
చద్ది తెచ్చుకొన్న బ్రాహ్మణుడా భోజనము చెయ్యి!
chaddi techchukonna brahmanuda bhojanamu cheyyi!
O Brahman! if you have brought food, eat it. Said to a selfish man who bores others by talking everlastingly of his own concerns.
This expression refers to a situation where someone is formally invited to do something they were already prepared or going to do anyway. It is used to describe a redundant or unnecessary invitation, or when someone tries to take credit for an action that the other person was already committed to performing.
* Corpo satollo non crede al digtuno, 20 ( 153 )