కేశవా నారాయణా అవ్వా బువ్వ పెట్టు

keshava narayana avva buvva pettu

Translation

O Kesava! O Nârâyaṇa!—O grandmother! give me food. A boy began his Sandhyâ but soon broke off to ask for his food.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe someone who is being hypocritical or manipulative. It depicts a person who recites the names of God (Keshava, Narayana) to appear pious or selfless, but immediately shifts to a selfish, basic demand for food (buvva). It is often used to mock people who pretend to be spiritual or elevated while their true intentions are entirely materialistic or self-centered.

Related Phrases

The owl took to its nest, the grandmother took to her bed.

This is a traditional Telugu riddle or a rhythmic saying describing the onset of evening or night. It signifies that at the end of the day, everyone—from birds to humans—returns to their place of rest. It is often used in a poetic sense to describe the natural conclusion of daily activities.

Badarayana relationship

This expression is used to describe a forced, far-fetched, or imaginary connection between two unrelated things or people. It refers to an illogical attempt to establish a relationship where none naturally exists.

The dove reached its nest, and the grandmother climbed into her bed

This is a rhythmic expression used to describe the onset of evening or dusk. It signifies the end of a long day when birds return to their homes and the elderly retire to rest, symbolizing a time for everyone to settle down.

Fine rice with small fish, and new harvest rice with chicken curry.

This is a popular saying in Telugu culture that highlights the ultimate culinary delights and comfort foods of rural life. It suggests that the best food combinations one can enjoy are fine-grained rice paired with small fish fry/curry, or freshly harvested rice served with a rich chicken gravy. It is often used to describe a satisfying, hearty, and traditional meal.

While the newborn children were crying for food, the grandmother was crying for a husband.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely selfish or insensitive to a major crisis. It highlights a person pursuing their own petty or inappropriate desires while those around them are suffering from basic, urgent needs.

As long as there is a need, he is Adinarayana (God); once the need is fulfilled, he is Guda Narayana (worthless).

This proverb is used to describe opportunistic or selfish people who show great respect and devotion to someone only as long as they need a favor. Once their objective is achieved, they treat the same person with contempt or indifference.

When the children cried for food, the grandmother cried for a husband. Wishing for something quite unsuitable to one's age.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is being incredibly selfish or insensitive, focusing on their own inappropriate or secondary desires while others around them are suffering from a basic, urgent crisis.

* Chi l'ha per natura, fin alla fossa dura.

A grandmother for the home and a 'thavva' for measurement are necessary.

This proverb highlights the importance of having experienced elders (like a grandmother) to manage and guide a household, just as a standard unit of measure (like the traditional 'thavva') is essential for accurate transactions. It signifies that wisdom and proper standards are foundational for a stable life.

Like saying 'Narayana' while following the tail

This expression describes a situation where someone blindly follows or agrees with someone else without thinking for themselves. It refers to a person who lacks an original opinion and simply mimics or supports whatever a more dominant person says or does, often in a submissive or sycophantic manner.

I want grand-mother and I want food. Said by a child who did not wish to leave its grand-mother, but who had to do so to get its dinner. You cannot drink and whistle at the same time. (Danish.)

This proverb describes a situation where someone wants to have their cake and eat it too. It is used when a person tries to hold onto two mutually exclusive options or wants all the benefits of a situation without making any sacrifices or choices.

* Man kan ikke drikke og pibe paa eengang.