ఏమి అప్పాజీ అంటే, కాలం కొద్దీ రాయజీ అన్నాడట

emi appaji ante, kalam koddi rayaji annadata

Translation

"What, O Appâji! [is to be done?" said the king ] " As occasion requires, O king!" replied [ the minister ].

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one's status or response changes based on the current circumstances or the influence of time. It highlights how people adapt their behavior or words depending on whether times are favorable or unfavorable, often used when someone gives a vague or situational excuse for a change in fortune.

Related Phrases

A husband is obtained based on one's merit (punyam), and a child is obtained based on one's charity (danam).

This proverb suggests that the quality of one's life partners and children is a result of their past good deeds and character. It is often used to imply that one's fortune in family life is reflections of their own virtues or to counsel patience and acceptance of one's destiny.

When she said "O Reddi! your buffalo has calved," he replied "O Boddi! what's that to you?" The woman wanted some milk.

This proverb is used to tell people to mind their own business or to highlight that a particular piece of news or event has no relevance or benefit to the person reacting to it. It mocks those who get unnecessarily excited or involved in matters that do not concern them.

When asked 'What is it, Appaji?', he replied 'It is according to the times, Rayaji.'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives a vague, evasive, or diplomatic answer to avoid responsibility or to explain away a decline in quality or circumstances. It originates from a folktale involving the minister Appaji and the King (Rayaji/Krishna Deva Raya), implying that outcomes are often dictated by current times or fate rather than personal effort.

Husband according to past virtuous deeds and children according to one’s charity.

The advice is that one should lead a virtuous life, so that in the next life, a lady will be blessed with a noble (good) husband. And if she performs acts of charity, she will be blessed additionally with well-behaved (good) children. It calls upon women to lead a life of virtue. By extension, what applies to women applies equally to men.

When a mendicant was asked whether he was a Dâsari or a Jangam (i. e. a follower of Vishnu or Śiva) he replied "Oh that depends on the next village!" A time server.

This proverb describes a person who has no fixed principles and changes their identity or stance based on convenience or personal gain. It refers to an opportunist who waits to see what will be most beneficial in a given situation before committing to a side.

When asked 'Old woman, why are you shaking the cradle?', she replied, 'What can I do if it doesn't stay still?'

This proverb is used to describe a person who tries to hide their natural weakness or inability by pretending it is an intentional act. In the story, an old woman shakes involuntarily due to old age; when asked why she is shaking the baby's cradle, she claims she is doing it on purpose because the cradle wouldn't stay still, hiding her frailty.

Wisdom according to the lineage, tradition according to the community.

This expression suggests that a person's behavior, intellect, and habits are often shaped by their upbringing, heritage, and the social environment or community they belong to. It is used to describe how inherent traits and cultural practices are passed down through generations.

A husband is obtained based on past merit; grandeur is obtained based on wealth.

This proverb suggests that life's outcomes are proportional to what one possesses or has earned. Just as a good husband is traditionally seen as a result of one's good deeds (karma), the level of luxury one enjoys is directly limited by their financial resources. It is used to explain that one's status or results are commensurate with their efforts or assets.

She said 'they have fallen'.

This phrase is used to describe a person who tries to cover up their failure or misfortune by acting as if it was their original intention or a deliberate choice. It originates from a story where a person falls down and, to avoid embarrassment, claims they intended to lie down.

Cake (roti) according to the dough.

The result that can be achieved depends on the resources available.