ఇంటి దేవర ఈగి చస్తే, పొలం దేవర గంప జాతర అడిగినాడట.
inti devara igi chaste, polam devara gampa jatara adiginadata.
When the household deity is starving to death, the field deity asked for a grand festival with baskets of offerings.
This proverb describes a situation where someone makes extravagant demands from a person who is already struggling with basic survival or poverty. It is used to highlight the absurdity of asking for luxuries or heavy contributions from those who cannot even afford their own basic necessities.
Related Phrases
విశాఖ చూచి విడవకురా కొంప, ఉత్తర చూచి ఎత్తర గంప
vishakha chuchi vidavakura kompa, uttara chuchi ettara gampa
Don't leave your home seeing Vishakha; pack your basket seeing Uttara.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the monsoon season and lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It means that one shouldn't lose hope or abandon their home if it doesn't rain during the Vishakha season, but if it rains during the Uttara season, it is a sign of a bountiful harvest, and one should get their baskets ready to collect the produce. It is used to advise patience and readiness based on seasonal changes.
తగవు ఎట్లా వస్తుంది జంగందేవరా అంటే, బిచ్చం పెట్టవే బొచ్చు ముండా అన్నాడట
tagavu etla vastundi jangandevara ante, bichcham pettave bochchu munda annadata
When asked how a quarrel starts, the priest replied, 'Give me alms, you bald widow!'
This proverb describes a situation where someone intentionally initiates a conflict by being unnecessarily rude or provocative. It is used when a person deliberately uses offensive language to spark a fight, even when there is no prior reason for an argument.
ఇంటి దేవత ఈడిగలబడితే, పొరుగు దేవతకు జాతరట
inti devata idigalabadite, porugu devataku jatarata
When the household deity is neglected and left to starve, a festival is celebrated for the neighbor's deity.
This proverb is used to criticize people who neglect their own family, relatives, or responsibilities at home while spending lavishly or showing great concern for outsiders. It highlights the irony of ignoring local needs to gain approval elsewhere.
అన్నదేవర సన్నగిస్తే గోలుకొండకు జాతరే
annadevara sannagiste golukondaku jatare
If the food-god becomes thin, it is a festival for Golconda.
This proverb highlights the grim reality of scarcity. 'Annadevara' refers to the food supply or crops. When crops fail or food becomes scarce (sannagiste), people are forced to sell their belongings or migrate to the city (historically Golconda) to survive, leading to a busy but desperate rush like a festival. It is used to describe situations where one person's misfortune becomes a source of activity or profit for others.
ఇంటిదేవర ఈగి చస్తే, పొలందేవర గంపజాతర అడిగినదట
intidevara igi chaste, polandevara gampajatara adiginadata
When the household deity was dying of hunger, the goddess of the field demanded a basket procession.
This proverb describes a situation where someone demands extravagant favors or celebrations when even the basic necessities are not being met. It is used to mock unrealistic or poorly timed demands made by people who are unaware of or indifferent to the dire financial or physical state of others.
After an abundant harvest, an earthen image of the goddess of the field is placed in a basket, and carried in procession, with musical instruments and much rejoicing. To be asked to give to others when badly off one's self.
ఉత్తర చూసి ఎత్తర గంప
uttara chusi ettara gampa
Look at Uttara and lift the basket
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the 'Uttara' Nakshatra (monsoon rain period). It implies that once the Uttara rains begin, the harvest season is ending or the rains will be so heavy that one should pack up their tools and prepare for the next stage. In a broader sense, it means to act promptly according to the signs of the environment or timing.
ఉత్తర జూచి ఎత్తర గంప, విశాఖ జూచి విడువర కొంప
uttara juchi ettara gampa, vishakha juchi viduvara kompa
Seeing Uttara (rain), lift the basket; seeing Vishakha (rain), leave the house.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to rainfall during specific lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It suggests that when it rains during Uttara Phalguni, the harvest is so bountiful that one must pick up their baskets to collect the yield. Conversely, if it rains during Vishakha, the rains are so heavy or persistent that one might even need to abandon their house due to flooding or the intensity of the downpour.
ఉత్తర చూచి ఎత్తర గంప
uttara chuchi ettara gampa
Take up your basket [of seed ] when you see [the sun in] Uttara. Uttara is one of the twenty-seven lunar mansions. When the sun is in Uttara there is invariably rain, and seed is then sown. Make hay while the sun shines. Know your opportunity. (Latin.)
Uttara is a specific Vedic rain star (Nakshatra). This proverb is used in an agricultural context, suggesting that when the Uttara rain arrives, it is time to harvest and pack the produce in baskets. It signifies being ready to reap the rewards of one's hard work at the right moment.
ఇంటిద్వారాన ఇగిలిస్తే, గూడిద్వారాన గుగ్గిలానికి పడ్డాడట
intidvarana igiliste, gudidvarana guggilaniki paddadata
When he grinned at the house entrance, he fell for incense at the alcove.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is easily distracted or tempted by small things while neglecting their original purpose, or someone who is tricked into a bigger loss by a small bait.
పని పాతరబెట్టి, గంపజాతరకు పోయినట్లు
pani patarabetti, gampajataraku poyinatlu
Like burying the work and going to a basket fair
This proverb is used to describe a person who neglects their important responsibilities or duties to pursue trivial or unimportant activities. It highlights a lack of priority where one 'buries' (ignores) their essential tasks to attend a festive event or distraction.