కుక్కశ్చ పచ్చిగోడశ్చ దాటితే మళ్లిదాటితే రెడ్డిశ్చ రెడ్డిసానిశ్చ సహమూలం వినశ్యతః
kukkashcha pachchigodashcha datite mallidatite reddishcha reddisanishcha sahamulam vinashyatah
If a dog crosses a wet wall and recrosses, the Reddi and his lady with all the family perish. There was a certain stingy Reddi who paid nothing to the village priest ( Grāma Purohita ). On one occasion when the Reddi was making some additions to his house a dog jumped over a freshly built wall. The village priest, who happened to be present, determined to take advantage of this circumstance, simulated great consternation, and repeated the above sham Mantra. The Reddi was successfully taken in, and at his expense the priest performed expiatory burnt offerings, &c.
This is a humorous or satirical 'Sanskrit-style' verse (Sloka) in Telugu folklore used to mock superstitious beliefs or 'Muhurtas' (auspicious timings). It suggests that if a dog jumps over a wet (newly built) wall and then jumps back, the owners of the house will be ruined. In usage, it is often cited to poke fun at someone who invents or follows illogical and overly complex omens for trivial events.
Related Phrases
కర్మకు అంతమూ లేదు, కాలముకు నిశ్చయమూ లేదు.
karmaku antamu ledu, kalamuku nishchayamu ledu.
There is no end to religious ceremonies, and there is no find- ing the times [ fixed for the observance of them ].
This expression highlights the cyclical nature of actions and the unpredictability of time. It is used to convey that one's deeds (karma) have continuous consequences and that the future or the timing of events (kala) is never guaranteed or fixed. It serves as a philosophical reminder to be mindful of actions and to respect the uncertainty of life.
గాడిద సంగీతానికి ఒంటె ఆశ్చర్యపడితే, ఒంటె అందానికి గాడిద మూర్ఛపోయిందట
gadida sangitaniki onte ashcharyapadite, onte andaniki gadida murchhapoyindata
When the camel was amazed by the donkey's singing, the donkey fainted at the camel's beauty.
This proverb is used to mock a situation where two incompetent or unattractive individuals flatter each other falsely. It describes a scenario of mutual admiration between people who lack the qualities they are praising in one another, highlighting hypocrisy or a lack of self-awareness.
దుశ్చరణమే అపవాదానికి పెంపు
dushcharaname apavadaniki pempu
Bad conduct is the nourishment for ill-repute.
This proverb highlights that one's own bad behavior or improper actions are what fuel and increase a bad reputation or public scandal. It is used to advise that if one wants to avoid being slandered or talked about negatively, they must first ensure their own conduct is beyond reproach.
వెర్రివాని విందు పెట్టేవరకూ నిశ్చయం లేదు
verrivani vindu pettevaraku nishchayam ledu
A madman's feast is never certain till he gives it.
This expression is used to describe unreliable people or uncertain promises. Just as a foolish person might promise a grand meal but forget or change their mind at the last moment, certain commitments cannot be trusted until they are actually fulfilled.
ముక్కు దాటితే ముక్తి, నాలుక దాటితే నరకం
mukku datite mukti, naluka datite narakam
Liberation if it passes the nose, hell if it passes the tongue.
This proverb emphasizes the power and danger of speech. 'Passing the nose' refers to the breath (life/meditation), leading to spiritual liberation, whereas 'passing the tongue' refers to careless or hurtful speech, which leads to trouble or 'hell'. It is used to advise someone to think before they speak and to maintain self-control over their words.
సత్యహరిశ్చంద్రుడయ్యా
satyaharishchandrudayya
As truthful as Hariśchandra.
This expression is used to refer to someone who is exceptionally honest and never tells a lie. It is often used sarcastically or ironically to mock someone who is pretending to be virtuous or truthful when they are actually lying.
Used ironically.
గచ్చ పొదలాగా
gachcha podalaga
Like a Fever Nut bush
This expression is used to describe a person or a situation that is extremely difficult to deal with, prickly, or tangled. The Fever Nut bush (Caesalpinia bonduc) is known for being densely covered in sharp thorns, making it impossible to touch or navigate without getting hurt. It is often applied to people with a very irritable or 'thorny' temperament.
మా దొడ్డెమ్మ మొగుడు వచ్చాడు, కోళ్ళ గూటిలో మంచం వేయి అన్నట్లు
ma doddemma mogudu vachchadu, kolla gutilo mancham veyi annatlu
Like saying, 'My brother-in-law has arrived, lay a bed in the chicken coop.'
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone pretends to show great respect or hospitality to a guest while actually treating them poorly or offering them an insulting, ridiculous arrangement. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of common sense in hospitality.
వైరాగ్యం కోసం పురాణం వింటే పచ్చి శృంగారం వంటపట్టిందట.
vairagyam kosam puranam vinte pachchi shringaram vantapattindata.
When listening to the Puranas to attain detachment, one instead absorbed pure erotica.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's efforts lead to the exact opposite of the intended noble result. It refers to people who pretend to seek spiritual enlightenment or discipline but end up focusing on worldly or base desires instead.
చచ్చీ చెడి
chachchi chedi
Dying and being ruined
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has to put in an immense, exhausting amount of effort or struggle to complete a task. It is similar to the English idiom 'toil and moil' or 'with great difficulty'.