కూడు వండుట గంజి కొరకా?
kudu vanduta ganji koraka?
Is the rice cooked just for the sake of the starch water?
This proverb is used to point out when someone focuses on a minor byproduct or a trivial secondary outcome while ignoring the main objective. It suggests that one shouldn't perform a major task just for a small, insignificant benefit.
Related Phrases
కోకకు బెట్టిన గంజి కూడిరాదు
kokaku bettina ganji kudiradu
The starch applied to a saree does not come back to be eaten.
This expression is used to describe an irreversible expenditure or investment. Just as starch used to stiffen a saree cannot be recovered or consumed as food (porridge) again, money or resources spent on certain luxuries or temporary needs cannot be reclaimed for essential purposes.
నోటి వక్రం గంజి పెడమూట
noti vakram ganji pedamuta
Crooked mouth, and the rice water is in a tied bundle.
This proverb describes a situation where everything is going wrong or being done incorrectly. It refers to a person who lacks the skill to do a job (crooked mouth) trying to perform a task in a ridiculous or impossible way (tying liquid rice water in a bundle). It is used to mock incompetence or a series of unfortunate, self-inflicted blunders.
పెరుగుట విరుగుట కొరకే
peruguta viruguta korake
To grow is only to break
All that goes up must come down. We should not be proud when we prosper, but must be aware of the possibility of downfall. We should be humble in the moments of our triumph.
నా దయతో నీ గంజి త్రాగు అన్నట్లు
na dayato ni ganji tragu annatlu
Saying 'Drink your own porridge by my grace'
This expression describes a situation where someone acts as if they are doing a great favor or showing generosity, when in reality, they are only giving the other person what already belongs to them or what they have earned through their own hard work. It highlights arrogance and false charity.
నోటి గుట్టం గంజి పెడమూట
noti guttam ganji pedamuta
[ By ] a slip of the mouth, a bundle of food on the back. In Ujjayini ( Ougein ) there lived a merchant called Diptimanta. He went to Jångala to trade. There he met another merchant named Vivēka- manta who on one occasion said to him " Tell me a story that is not known in the world, that has not come to your ears, and that I have not heard." After being twitted often by Diptimanta on account of his inability to comply with this unreasonable request, Vivēkamanta undertook to per- form the task, provided Diptimanta should not pronounce his story to be false, and in the event of his doing so, should pay him 100 pagodas. Dip- timanta having agreed, Vivēkamanta said " On one occasion my great grand-father Vanikpati when going to trade in another country met your great grand-father Prithikpati and they entered into partnership. Shortly afterwards they reached a spot where grew a large and beautiful Banyan tree near which was a tank. Liking the place, they agreed that Vanikpati should remain there and sell the goods which Prithikpati would send him from another country. This was carried on for some time and afterwards when they met and compared their accounts, it was found that Prithikpati was in Vanikpati's debt 100 pagodas. For long I have sought you," added Vivēkamanta, " and now I beg you will pay me the balance due." Dipti- manta being unable to deny the truth of the story lest he should incur the forfeit, was compelled to pay the 100 pagodas, and beg his way to his own country, carrying what food was given to him in a bundle on his back. Some people who met him enquired what bundle he was carrying, to which he replied " By a slip of the mouth, have I been reduced to carry a bundle of food on my back." The evil consequences of an idle word.
This proverb describes a person who prioritizes idle talk or gossip over their basic needs or duties. It refers to someone who spends their time talking so much that they neglect their food or work, effectively 'carrying their meal' away while their mouth remains busy.
వన్నెకాని గంజి ఈగలపాలు.
vannekani ganji igalapalu.
The gruel of a showy person becomes the share of flies.
This proverb refers to people who are overly concerned with outward appearances or vanity but neglect the essence of their work or resources. It suggests that if someone wastes time being pretentious instead of being practical, their efforts or possessions will go to waste or be enjoyed by undeserving entities (like flies on spilled food).
నేను ఆకలికాకుండా నీకు మందు చెబుతా, ముందు నాకు కాస్త గంజి నీళ్ళు పోయమన్నట్లు.
nenu akalikakunda niku mandu chebuta, mundu naku kasta ganji nillu poyamannatlu.
Like saying, 'I will tell you a medicine to stop your hunger, but first pour me some congee water.'
This expression is used to describe a hypocritical or ironic situation where a person who claims to have a solution for a problem is suffering from the exact same problem themselves. It highlights the absurdity of seeking or receiving advice from someone who cannot even help themselves.
పుట్టుట గిట్టుట కొరకే, పెరుగుట విరుగుట కొరకే
puttuta gittuta korake, peruguta viruguta korake
Birth is for death, and growth is for breaking down.
This proverb conveys the universal truth of impermanence and the cycle of life. It implies that everything that begins must end, and everything that rises must eventually fall. It is often used to counsel someone against being overly proud of their success or to provide perspective during times of loss or decline.
గంజి తాగినా, లంజ కావాలి
ganji tagina, lanja kavali
Even if one only drinks porridge, they still want a concubine.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks basic necessities or lives in poverty but still harbors expensive, immoral, or luxury-seeking desires. It highlights the irony of having high demands or vices without having the means to fulfill basic needs like food.
అప్పులేని గంజి దొప్పెడే చాలు
appuleni ganji doppede chalu
A small bowl of gruel without debt is enough.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble or simple life within one's means is far superior to living luxuriously on borrowed money. It is used to advise someone to prioritize financial independence and contentment over superficial status.