కన్నతల్లిని కాళ్ళు పట్టి ఈడ్చి, పినతల్లికి పిండప్రదానం చేసినట్టు

kannatallini kallu patti idchi, pinatalliki pindapradanam chesinattu

Translation

Dragging one's own mother by the legs while offering ritual food (Pindam) to the stepmother.

Meaning

This proverb describes a person who neglects or mistreats those who are truly close to them and have a primary claim to their care, while performing grand, hypocritical acts of devotion or charity toward others for the sake of appearances. It highlights gross ingratitude and misplaced priorities.

Related Phrases

The Myrobalan fruit is like one's own mother

This expression refers to the medicinal value of the Haritaki (Karakkaya) fruit in Ayurveda. It implies that just as a mother cares for her child's well-being and health without fail, this medicinal nut protects and heals the body from various ailments. It is used to emphasize the importance of traditional medicine and natural remedies.

When there is not enough even for the mother's rites, he asks to perform rituals for the stepmother/aunt.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to fulfill basic or essential needs, yet they are asked or attempt to fulfill secondary or less important demands. It highlights misplaced priorities or the irony of demanding extra when the fundamentals are not met.

One missed being born to the maternal aunt, the other missed being born to the mother.

This expression is used to describe two people who are equally wicked, cunning, or troublesome. It implies that there is no difference in their bad character; if one is bad, the other is slightly worse or just as bad. It is similar to saying 'two of a kind' or 'chips off the same block' in a negative context.

Tears for the birth mother, envy for the stepmother.

This proverb contrasts true empathy with jealousy. It implies that while a birth mother (or a true well-wisher) feels genuine sorrow for one's struggles, a stepmother (or a rival) feels envious of one's success or status. It is used to describe situations where some people are saddened by your pain while others are spiteful of your happiness.

When there isn't enough for the mother's rites, one offers rituals to the stepmother.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who ignores their primary responsibilities or immediate family needs while showing off or performing unnecessary favors for others. It highlights the irony of neglecting a core duty while pretending to be generous or diligent elsewhere.

One who doesn't feed his own mother is said to buy a saree for his maternal aunt.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who neglects their fundamental duties or those closest to them, yet tries to gain a good reputation by performing grand gestures for others or distant relatives. It highlights the irony of showing off generosity to the world while failing to meet basic responsibilities at home.

Like pulling away your own mother by the legs and saying "Offer the rice-ball for the maternal aunt."

This proverb is used to describe a person who neglects their primary duties or the people who truly care for them, while performing grand, hypocritical acts of service for others or for outward appearances. It highlights the irony of being cruel to those who deserve love while pretending to be virtuous elsewhere.

To a person who has torn off his own mother's ears, his aunt's ears are like ridge gourd flowers.

This proverb describes a person who is so cruel or heartless that they have harmed their own closest kin. For such a person, harming others (like an aunt or distant relative) is a trivial matter. It is used to warn others about a person's character; if someone doesn't spare their own family, they certainly won't spare you.

The words are of a mother, but the feeding is that of a step-mother.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks very affectionately and kindly but acts selfishly or cruelly when it comes to providing help or resources. It highlights the hypocrisy between one's sweet words and their stingy actions.

When the biological mother's stomach was burning (with hunger), the stepmother's butt was burning.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is truly suffering or in need is ignored, while someone else makes a frivolous or exaggerated complaint to gain attention or compete. It highlights the contrast between genuine distress and fake or disproportionate grievances.