మాధుకరం వానింటికి ఉపాదానం వాడు పోయినట్లు

madhukaram vanintiki upadanam vadu poyinatlu

Translation

Like a person who collects raw offerings (upadanam) going to the house of a person who survives on cooked alms (madhukaram).

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone seeks help or resources from someone who is in an even more desperate or needy position than themselves. It highlights the irony and futility of asking for assistance from those who lack the means to support even their own needs.

Related Phrases

Like fire becoming cold.

This expression is used to describe something that is impossible, highly improbable, or contrary to its inherent nature. It is often used to refer to a person who is usually very angry or aggressive suddenly acting calm or gentle, which feels unnatural to their character.

Like the raw rice beggar going to the house of the boiled rice beggar. Some beggars will only receive raw rice which they cook for themselves, others receive boiled rice.

This proverb describes a redundant or futile action where a person seeks help or resources from someone who is in the same poor condition as themselves. It is used to mock the irony of asking for a favor from someone who is equally needy or incapable of providing it.

Like receiving harm when going to do a favor.

This expression is used when a person's good intentions or helpful actions result in an unexpected negative outcome or trouble for themselves. It describes a situation where someone tries to help others but ends up being blamed, criticized, or harmed in return.

When a repulsive person opened a shop, the incoming customers turned back immediately.

This proverb is used to describe how a person's unpleasant attitude, appearance, or behavior can drive away opportunities or success. It emphasizes that a positive presentation and welcoming nature are essential for business or social interactions, as a negative personality can repel even those who intended to help or support.

Like saying the courtyard is crooked because one cannot dance.

This expression is used to describe a person who lacks skill or fails at a task, but blames external circumstances or their environment instead of admitting their own deficiency. It is the Telugu equivalent of the English proverb: 'A bad workman quarrels with his tools.'

A medicine like a thunderbolt weapon for a disease like Lord Rama's arrow.

This expression is used to describe a powerful, infallible remedy applied to a severe or unstoppable problem. In Telugu culture, 'Ramabanam' (Rama's arrow) symbolizes something that never misses its mark (here referring to a persistent or lethal ailment), while 'Vajrayudham' (Indra's weapon) represents the ultimate, indestructible cure that can overcome such a formidable challenge.

If alms are given ten times in an enemy's house, so much the better.

This proverb suggests that one should not expect help or goodwill from an enemy. Even if they appear to give something or help you, it is likely temporary, unreliable, or comes with hidden strings that ultimately result in a loss for you. It emphasizes the importance of self-respect and the futility of depending on those who wish you ill.

Even after going to Kashi, the influence of Saturn did not leave.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person's bad luck or problems follow them no matter where they go or what remedies they seek. It suggests that certain consequences of fate or persistent troubles cannot be escaped simply by changing one's location or visiting holy places.

If a man made of nerves gets a fever, the one who checks his pulse will not survive.

This expression is used to describe an extremely irritable, short-tempered, or hypersensitive person. It implies that the person is so volatile that even a minor provocation (fever) would cause them to lash out so fiercely that anyone trying to help or interact with them (checking the pulse) would be in danger.

who brings misfortune to people

When one is dogged by misfortune, one will not escape misfortune, even if one goes to a holy place to ward off the evil influence.