ఇచ్చేటప్పుడు కాముని పండగ, పుచ్చుకొనేటప్పుడు దీపావళి పండగ
ichchetappudu kamuni pandaga, puchchukonetappudu dipavali pandaga
Giving is like Kāma's festival, taking is like the feast of Dīpāvali.
This proverb describes a person's hypocritical attitude towards money or favors. They are extremely enthusiastic and happy when receiving something (like the bright celebration of Diwali), but they become miserable, reluctant, or delay indefinitely when it is time to give back or pay a debt (referring to the bonfire/mourning aspect of Kamuni Pandaga/Holi).
Kāmadāhana is the mournful commemoration of the burning of Kandarpa or Kāmadeva ( the god of love ) by the fire from Śiva's eye, when he in- terrupted the god in his devotions. Dīpāvali or Dīpāḷi is a joyous festival with nocturnal illuminations in honour of Kārtikeya. The name signifies " a row of lamps."
Related Phrases
చచ్చేటప్పుడు సంధ్య మంత్రమా?
chachchetappudu sandhya mantrama?
A twilight prayer while dying?
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to perform a task or follow a ritual at the very last moment when it is no longer useful or relevant. It highlights the irony of worrying about trivial procedures or formalities when facing a major crisis or life-ending situation.
చచ్చేటప్పుడు శంభో శంకరా అంటే
chachchetappudu shambho shankara ante
If one says 'Shambho Shankara' while dying
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to fix a problem or seek redemption at the very last moment, often when it is too late for the effort to be meaningful or effective. It highlights the futility of eleventh-hour realisations or actions after a lifetime of neglect.
వచ్చేటప్పుడు తీసుకురారు, పోయేటప్పుడు తీసుకుపోరు.
vachchetappudu tisukuraru, poyetappudu tisukuporu.
They don't bring anything when they arrive, and they don't take anything when they leave.
This proverb is a philosophical reflection on human life and materialism. It signifies that humans enter the world empty-handed at birth and depart without any worldly possessions at death. It is used to advise people against greed, over-attachment to wealth, and to encourage living a righteous life focused on good deeds rather than amassing riches.
అందరికీ అట్ట పండగ, మనకు ముట్ట సండగ
andariki atta pandaga, manaku mutta sandaga
For everyone it is a festival of pancakes, for us it is a bundle of dry twigs.
This proverb describes a situation where everyone around is celebrating or enjoying prosperity while an individual or a specific family remains in poverty or misery. It highlights social inequality and the contrast between the haves and the have-nots during festive times.
చచ్చేటప్పుడు శంకరా శంకరా అన్నాడట
chachchetappudu shankara shankara annadata
When he was at the point of death he cried "Śankara! Śankara!" (Siva.) Deathbed repentance.
This proverb is used to describe someone who waits until the very last moment or a crisis to seek help, turn to God, or do the right thing. It refers to a person who ignores their duties or avoids spiritual/ethical paths throughout their life, only to become desperately 'pious' or 'diligent' when they realize time has run out.
ఇచ్చేటప్పుడు కాముని పండుగ, పుచ్చుకునేటప్పుడు దీపావళి పండుగ
ichchetappudu kamuni panduga, puchchukunetappudu dipavali panduga
While giving, it's Kamuni festival (sadness/burning), while taking, it's Diwali festival (joy/light).
This expression describes the dual nature of people who are very happy and eager when receiving money or favors (like the brightness of Diwali) but become extremely reluctant, sad, or delay indefinitely when they have to pay back or give something (symbolized by the burning/destruction of Kamudu). It is used to criticize hypocrisy in financial dealings or stinginess.
చచ్చేటప్పుడు నారాయణా అనమంటే సీసా అన్నట్టు
chachchetappudu narayana anamante sisa annattu
When told to say 'Narayana' (God's name) on the deathbed, one said 'Sisa' (Bottle)
This proverb describes a situation where someone is given good or spiritual advice at a critical moment, but they respond with something trivial, irrelevant, or related to their bad habits. It highlights how difficult it is to change one's nature or focus on what is important, even in the final moments of life.
దండగలో పండగ
dandagalo pandaga
A festival amidst a waste or loss
This expression is used to describe a situation where an unexpected positive event or celebration occurs during a time of significant loss, waste, or overall failure. It highlights an ironic or small consolation in a losing situation.
వచ్చేటప్పుడు ఉలవ, పొయ్యేటప్పుడు నువ్వు.
vachchetappudu ulava, poyyetappudu nuvvu.
Horse gram while coming, sesame seeds while going.
This proverb refers to a person who is extremely clever and self-serving. It describes someone who demands nutritious food like horse gram when arriving as a guest, but demands valuable sesame seeds to take away when leaving. It is used to mock people who look for personal profit in every interaction or those who are never satisfied with what they receive.
మీసాలు వచ్చేటప్పుడు దేశాలు కానరావు.
misalu vachchetappudu deshalu kanaravu.
Countries are not visible when the mustache is growing.
This proverb refers to the phase of adolescence or early youth when one becomes self-centered or blinded by physical growth and ego. It suggests that when young people reach a certain age (symbolized by growing a mustache), they often lack the maturity or worldly perspective to see the realities and complexities of the world around them, often being overly confident in their limited knowledge.