ముదలియారి జంభం ఆముదానికి చేటు.

mudaliyari jambham amudaniki chetu.

Translation

The Mudaliar's vanity is a waste of castor oil.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone puts on a grand, vain display or acts with excessive pride, but the result is merely a waste of resources or effort. Historically, it refers to using large amounts of castor oil to light lamps for a pompous show that ultimately serves no productive purpose.

Related Phrases

A pot in the sky, and Monday within a Sunday.

This expression is used to describe something that is impossible, nonsensical, or a complete fabrication. It refers to situations where someone tells a lie or presents a scenario that defies logic, much like finding a physical pot in the vacuum of space or a Monday occurring inside a Sunday.

The one with protruding gums is a curse to the house, and a forked stick is a curse to the pandal.

This is a traditional proverb used to describe individuals or objects that are inherently unsuitable or bring bad luck/ruin to their surroundings. It suggests that just as a weak forked stick cannot properly support a shed (pandal) and leads to its collapse, a person with specific negative traits (metaphorically described here as protruding gums) is seen as a harbinger of misfortune for the family.

Castor seeds sown without plowing and a debt given to a village priest/bard will not return.

This proverb highlights the futility of certain actions. Just as castor seeds won't sprout or yield if sown on unplowed land, a loan given to a person who has no means or intention of repaying it (traditionally represented here by an 'Asadi' or wandering bard) is considered a total loss. It is used to warn someone against making investments or loans without proper foundation or security.

If it happens, it's castor seeds; if not, it's pigeon peas.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is prepared for two possible outcomes, often in farming or business. Castor plants grow in low rainfall, while pigeon peas need more rain. It signifies a win-win strategy or a fallback plan where regardless of the circumstances, there will be some form of harvest or benefit.

Daytime talk is a loss to work, nighttime talk is a loss to sleep.

This proverb emphasizes time management and the importance of focusing on the task at hand. It suggests that gossiping or idle chatter during the day hinders productivity, while excessive talking at night deprives one of necessary rest. It is used to advise someone to stop talking and focus on their responsibilities or sleep.

If you ask what the Mudaliar has, he said: one bullock cart, two mistresses, and a hernia.

This is a satirical proverb used to mock people who take pride in useless, burdensome, or shameful possessions. It describes a man boasting about things that actually drain his resources or health (a cart to maintain, mistresses to support, and a medical condition) as if they were symbols of status. It is used to critique someone's misplaced priorities or false sense of prestige.

One should see a son-in-law at his mother-in-law's house and a bull in a castor field.

This proverb highlights situations where an individual feels overly comfortable and entitled. Just as a bull thrives and roams freely in a field of castor plants (which are difficult to clear), a son-in-law is often pampered, prioritized, and treated with excessive hospitality at his in-laws' place. It is used to describe someone enjoying a position of prestige or being the center of attention.

Curry without taste is a waste to the plate; a wife without beauty or charm is a waste to the bed.

This is a traditional proverb used to express that things lacking their essential quality or purpose are a burden or a waste. Just as tasteless food makes the act of eating from a plate useless, a marriage lacking attraction or compatibility is seen as dysfunctional in this archaic context. It is often used to emphasize that functionality and quality are vital for value.

Hands come forward to destroy, but minds do not come to sustain.

It is much easier and quicker to destroy something than it is to build or maintain it. This expression is used to highlight that many people are ready to cause harm or ruin a situation, but very few have the wisdom, patience, or willingness to protect or improve it.

Ten furrows for paddy, six furrows for castor.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb specifying the effort needed for different crops. It implies that paddy requires intensive plowing (ten times) to ensure the soil is soft and water-retentive, while castor seeds, being hardier, require less (six times). It is used to emphasize that different tasks require different levels of preparation and effort.