ఇంటికి జ్యేష్ఠాదేవి, పొరుగుకు లక్ష్మీదేవి

intiki jyeshthadevi, poruguku lakshmidevi

Translation

The goddess of misfortune at home, the goddess of fortune abroad. Bad to his own, but good to others.

Meaning

This proverb describes a person who is helpful, generous, and pleasant to outsiders or neighbors, but is difficult, lazy, or brings misery to their own family members. It is used to criticize those who prioritize their external reputation while neglecting their responsibilities at home.

Related Phrases

It is not a neighbor, it is not a surrounding person, and it is not a pot filled with curd.

This is a traditional Telugu riddle or a rhythmic expression used to describe something that seems familiar or close but is actually distinct. It is often used to refer to a mirror or a reflection, where the image looks like someone you know (a neighbor) or is contained in a vessel, but isn't actually that person or object.

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.

Like the goddess of fortune emigrating. Said of an avaricious person going to seek for some small gains.

This expression is used to describe a sudden and significant loss of wealth, prosperity, or grace from a household or a person. Just as the departure of the Goddess of Wealth implies the onset of poverty or misfortune, it signifies a complete reversal of fortune where a once-flourishing situation turns bleak.

Fortune favors the brave

This expression means that wealth and prosperity (Lakshmi) reside with those who possess courage and the willingness to take risks. It is used to encourage someone to be brave in the face of challenges, suggesting that success follows those who act boldly.

An iron sickle for the home, a golden knife for the neighbors.

This expression is used to describe a person who is stingy, harsh, or negligent toward their own family and household, while being overly generous, helpful, or displaying a false sense of grandeur to outsiders and neighbors.

The sixth-born daughter is a Goddess Lakshmi to her in-laws' house

This is a traditional Telugu saying which suggests that a woman who is the sixth child in her birth family brings immense prosperity, luck, and wealth to her husband's family after marriage. It is used to highlight the auspiciousness of such a bride.

Moola sinks, Jyeshta floats.

This is a traditional agricultural and weather-related proverb. It refers to the 'Moola' and 'Jyeshta' Kartis (solar mansions). It implies that heavy rains during the Moola Karti can cause flooding or damage crops (sinking them), while the subsequent Jyeshta Karti brings weather conditions that help the crops recover or 'float'. It is used to describe the cyclical nature of challenges and recovery in farming.

A slob at home, but Goddess Lakshmi to the neighbors.

This expression is used to describe a person who is stingy, lazy, or ill-mannered with their own family members but acts extremely generous, helpful, and virtuous when dealing with outsiders or neighbors to maintain a good reputation.

Goddess of misfortune to one's own house, but Goddess of wealth to the neighbor's house.

This proverb describes a person who is stingy, lazy, or ill-tempered at home, causing misery to their family, but acts very generous, kind, and helpful toward outsiders or neighbors to maintain a good reputation. It is used to criticize someone who prioritizes their public image over the well-being of their own household.

Monday is Shuba Lakshmi, Tuesday is Maha Lakshmi

This phrase is typically used by street vendors, beggars, or traditional performers to praise potential donors or customers on specific days of the week. It suggests that since the day is auspicious (Monday or Tuesday), the person giving charity or making a purchase will be blessed with prosperity and wealth. It is a form of rhythmic flattery used to encourage generosity.