మా బావ వామహస్తానికి తోడు చాదస్తం

ma bava vamahastaniki todu chadastam

Translation

My brother-in-law's left-handedness coupled with his stubborn eccentricity.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who is already difficult to work with or has a certain quirk, and then adds even more annoying habits or irrational behavior on top of it. It highlights a situation where someone's existing limitations are compounded by their own stubbornness or unreasonable nature.

Related Phrases

Hand of Kabandha

Refers to a situation or a grasp from which escape is impossible. In the Ramayana, Kabandha was a demon with long arms that could reach out and trap anything; hence, the term is used to describe a death-grip, a stranglehold, or being trapped in a complex, inescapable predicament.

When asked to dine he comes to stab.

This expression is used to describe a person who reacts with unnecessary hostility or anger to a kind offer or a helpful suggestion. It highlights a character that is ungrateful, perverse, or aggressive in nature.

An over-fussy husband doesn't listen if told, and bites if not told.

This proverb describes a person who is extremely difficult to please or deal with. It refers to someone who ignores advice when it's given, but then gets angry and blames others for not informing them when things go wrong. It is used to characterize people with a stubborn, irrational, or fussy temperament.

We would die for a word, but would we die for a bundle (of wealth)?

This expression highlights the importance of honor, integrity, and keeping one's word over material wealth. It is used to convey that a person of character values their reputation and promises more than money or possessions.

Like saying, 'O eccentric husband, cook your handful of rice separately'

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is so unnecessarily fussy, overly fastidious, or difficult to deal with that others eventually lose patience and tell them to manage their own affairs independently. It highlights how excessive stubbornness or peculiar habits can lead to isolation or being left to one's own devices.

If sown during the Hasta star period, it will not come back to the hand.

This is an agricultural proverb (sameta) referring to the 'Hasta Karthe' (a specific solar mansion in the Hindu calendar). It suggests that crops sown during this specific time period often fail or yield poor results, meaning the investment never returns to the farmer's hand. It is used to highlight the importance of timing and seasonal wisdom.

If one says 'Chadam' (the ritualistic name), the other says 'stam' (the completion) — meaning exactly half-and-half.

This proverb is used to describe two people who are perfectly matched in their foolishness, stubbornness, or eccentricities. It suggests that if one person starts a silly act, the other completes it, implying they are both equally responsible for a peculiar or impractical situation.

An over-fussy husband doesn't listen if told, and bites if not told.

This expression describes a person who is extremely difficult to please or deal with due to their irrational and contradictory behavior. It is used to refer to individuals who ignore advice or instructions when given, yet become angry or reactive when they are left out of the loop or not informed about the same matter.

The hand of a Brahmin and the trunk of an elephant do not stay still.

This expression describes the inherent nature of certain things or people to be constantly active or moving. A Brahmin's hand is traditionally busy with rituals, counting beads, or receiving alms, while an elephant's trunk is always swaying or searching. It is used to remark on someone who is restlessly busy or a situation where constant activity is inevitable.

If the speaker is obsessive or foolish, shouldn't the listener have common sense?

This proverb is used when someone gives unreasonable advice or tells nonsense. It implies that even if a speaker is being irrational or repetitive, the listener should use their own judgment and intelligence to filter the information instead of blindly following or believing it.