మూల ముంచును, జ్యేష్ట చెరచును

mula munchunu, jyeshta cherachunu

Translation

Moola drowns, Jyeshtha spoils.

Meaning

This is a traditional agricultural saying based on the 'Kartis' (seasonal stars). It implies that heavy rains during the Moola Karti can cause flooding or 'drown' the crops, while rains during Jyeshtha Karti can ruin or spoil the harvest quality. It is used to describe the impact of seasonal rainfall on farming.

Related Phrases

The silver ring protects from danger; the wick protects from death.

This is an old Telugu saying related to superstitious beliefs and traditional medicine. It suggests that wearing a silver ring (kadi) can ward off accidents or evil eyes, while a medicinal wick or oil lamp (vatti) can prevent death or severe illness. It is used to highlight how small traditional remedies or protective charms are believed to save one from great calamities.

A mother looks at the stomach; a wife looks at the back.

This proverb contrasts the nature of love and expectations. A mother's concern is primarily for her child's well-being and whether they have eaten (the stomach), reflecting selfless care. In contrast, a wife is traditionally depicted as looking at the 'back' to see what her husband has brought home (burdens or earnings), symbolizing the practical expectations and responsibilities within a marriage.

The mother will look at his belly the wife at his back. The mother will look to see how her son fares, the wife to see what her husband has brought home for her. Come but come stooping.

This proverb contrasts the different perspectives of love and dependency. A mother's love is selfless, worrying if her child has eaten enough (stomach), whereas a wife's perspective (historically in this context) might be focused on the provisions or earnings the husband brings home (the load on the back). It highlights the transition from being cared for to having responsibilities.

* 'Ακέφαλος μυθος. † II domandar costa poco.

Time passes, but the word remains.

This expression emphasizes the lasting impact of one's words compared to the fleeting nature of time. It is used to remind someone to be careful with their speech or promises, as people will remember what was said long after the moment has passed.

Patience will save you and your neighbour.

This expression highlights the virtue of patience (Tahlimi). It suggests that by remaining patient, a person can avoid self-destruction or making impulsive mistakes while also preventing conflict and harm to those around them. It is used to advise someone to stay calm in provocative situations.

A snake bites; a scream (or commotion) spoils.

This proverb suggests that while a snake's bite is a direct physical harm, the panic or loud screaming that follows can cause even more damage or ruin the situation. It is used to advise someone to stay calm during a crisis, as overreacting or creating a commotion can be more counterproductive than the problem itself.

Like sowing horse gram during the Moola and Jyeshtha nakshatras.

This expression is used to describe an action that is done at the completely wrong time or season, leading to inevitable failure. In traditional agriculture, horse gram must be sown during specific lunar mansions (nakshatras); sowing them during Moola or Jyeshtha is considered futile as they will not yield a harvest.

Jyeshtha rains excessively to ruin, Moola rains to the point of rotting.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the rain patterns of specific lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It means that if it rains during the Jyeshtha Nakshatra, it pours heavily enough to damage crops, and if it rains during Moola Nakshatra, it rains so much that everything rots. It is used to describe untimely or excessive rainfall that harms agriculture.

Moola sinks, Jyeshta floats.

This is a traditional agricultural and weather-related proverb. It refers to the 'Moola' and 'Jyeshta' Kartis (solar mansions). It implies that heavy rains during the Moola Karti can cause flooding or damage crops (sinking them), while the subsequent Jyeshta Karti brings weather conditions that help the crops recover or 'float'. It is used to describe the cyclical nature of challenges and recovery in farming.

By seeking usury, the principal suffers; if the wife be blind, the pots suffer.

This proverb warns that excessive greed for small gains (interest) can lead to the loss of the original investment (principal). It uses a parallel metaphor to suggest that placing someone incompetent or incapable in a vital role (like a blind person managing a kitchen) will result in collateral damage and loss of resources.