గాడిద పుండుకు బూడిద మందు

gadida punduku budida mandu

Translation

Ash is the medicine for a donkey's wound

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a simple, crude, or inexpensive solution for an unworthy or trivial problem. It implies that a high-quality or expensive remedy is not needed for something of low value or for someone who doesn't appreciate it.

Related Phrases

When someone took up asceticism because family life was bad, the ash bag and the water gourd became a burden on the donkey.

This proverb describes a situation where someone tries to escape their current problems by switching to a different lifestyle or job, only to find that the new path brings its own set of even more difficult burdens. It is used to highlight that running away from responsibilities often leads to new complications.

Like a dog lying in the warm ashes. Keeping quiet for a while, but soon returning to mischief.

This expression is used to describe a person who settles into a comfortable or lazy situation and refuses to move or take up responsibilities. Just as a dog finds warmth in a pit of warm ashes and remains there stubbornly, it refers to someone who is stagnant and indifferent to their surroundings or progress.

A hard field and donkey's milk

This proverb is used to describe a situation that is completely useless or yields no benefit despite hard work. Just as a hard, barren field produces no crop and a donkey's milk is generally not consumed, it refers to a wasted effort or a lost cause where the resources and results are both worthless.

The pregnancy gift goes to the ashes, and the housewife goes to others.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme misfortune or poor management where one's efforts and assets are completely wasted or lost. It specifically refers to a scenario where the customary gifts given during pregnancy (sudida) are squandered or ruined, and the mistress of the house is neglected or ends up serving others. It is used to highlight total domestic ruin or the irony of losing everything due to negligence.

Donkey's chaos/clipping

This expression is used to describe a situation of extreme chaos, disorder, or a messy state of affairs. It often refers to something that is disorganized, nonsensical, or a noisy disturbance where nothing constructive is happening.

The words of a deceitful person are not worth even ash.

This expression is used to describe a person who is a chronic liar or manipulator. It signifies that the promises or statements made by such a person have zero value and cannot be trusted, just as ash has no utility in most contexts. It is applied when someone consistently fails to keep their word or speaks only to deceive others.

Ashes are the remedy for a deep ulcer. Severe measures must be used with the incorrigible. Desperate ills require desperate remedies. (French.)

This proverb means that simple or insignificant problems require simple solutions, or that a cheap/worthless remedy is sufficient for a lowly subject. It is often used to suggest that one shouldn't waste expensive resources or high-quality efforts on something that doesn't deserve it.

When a donkey was bathed with sacred Bhogi water, it went and rolled in the ashes.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is given a great opportunity, luxury, or reform, but they return to their old, crude, or bad habits. It highlights that inherent nature (Pravrutti) is difficult to change regardless of the honors bestowed upon them.

The tenderness of a donkey foal

This expression is used to describe a temporary or deceptive state of beauty or softness that does not last. It highlights that certain things might look attractive or gentle when they are young or new, but they eventually grow into their true, rougher nature. It is often used to mock someone's fleeting charm or a short-lived positive phase.

Even if you pour sandalwood powder on it, a donkey remains a donkey.

This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot change their inherent nature or lack of refinement, regardless of how much wealth, education, or luxury is bestowed upon them. It suggests that external appearances or decorations cannot hide one's true character or stupidity.