నిశ్చితార్థము నాడే నీలగ వలసినది, నాగవల్లి దాకా ఉండడము నా అదృష్టమే గదా.

nishchitarthamu nade nilaga valasinadi, nagavalli daka undadamu na adrishtame gada.

Translation

He ought to have died on the day of betrothal, it is my good fortune that he has lived until the fourth day of the marriage. Said ironically by a girl who had been married to an old man who died before the completion of the ceremonies.

Meaning

This expression is used sarcastically to describe something that was bound to fail or break from the very beginning. It highlights that instead of being upset when a flawed situation finally collapses, one should be surprised it lasted as long as it did. In the context of a wedding, Nagavalli is one of the final ceremonies, so the phrase implies that something destined for ruin early on miraculously survived until the end.

Related Phrases

Nagavalli resentment

This expression refers to finding faults or showing resentment even after a grand celebration or a positive event. It originates from the 'Nagavalli' ceremony (the concluding part of a traditional five-day Hindu wedding) where, despite the elaborate arrangements, some relatives or guests inevitably find trivial reasons to complain or act offended.

The 'Nagavalli' ceremony on the same day as the mockery-filled wedding.

This proverb is used to describe situations where things are done in an extreme rush or in a disorganized, improper manner. Usually, the Nagavalli ceremony happens days after the wedding, but doing it on the same day implies a lack of proper planning, a sense of embarrassment, or trying to finish a task haphazardly just to get it over with.

The money [in the box] and the soul [within the body] are made over to the spiritual guide, but the key and the body are retained by me. Applied to giving a person only the form of authority, but no real power.

This proverb is a humorous take on hypocritical devotion or selective surrender. It describes a person who claims to surrender everything valuable (like life and wealth) to a mentor or God for the sake of appearance, but in reality, keeps the physical control (the key to the chest) and their own comfort firmly in their own hands. It is used to mock people who act as if they are selfless but remain deeply possessive and untrusting.

The spinning wheel is come, out the way with your cart. I ask your pardon, coach; I thought you were a wheelbarrow when I stumbled over you. (Irish.)

This expression is used to highlight a mismatch in priorities or a lack of common sense. It refers to someone making an unnecessary fuss or clearing a large path for a very small, insignificant object. It is used when someone overreacts to a minor situation or demands resources that are disproportionate to the task at hand.

Squabbling on the fourth day of the marriage. Any disputes with regard to the presents, &c., are brought forward on the fourth day; until then no one can open his mouth. Forgetting many past benefits on account of one slight fault.

This expression refers to finding faults or making complaints during the 'Nagavalli' ceremony (a concluding wedding ritual). It is used to describe situations where people find petty reasons to be offended or complain even when everything has gone well, or when someone brings up grievances at the very last moment of an event.

Complaints during the Nagavalli ceremony

This expression is used to describe petty, unnecessary, or fabricated complaints and grievances raised during the final stages of an event, similar to how relatives often find faults or express dissatisfaction during the 'Nagavalli' ritual of a traditional wedding even when everything has gone well.

One who cannot endure misfortune cannot enjoy good fortune.

This proverb emphasizes that resilience and the ability to face hardships are prerequisites for truly appreciating and handling success. It suggests that without the perspective or strength gained from bad times, one lacks the character or capacity to sustain good times.

For a wedding that is an embarrassment, the 'Nagavalli' ceremony happens on the same day.

This proverb is used to describe a situation that is poorly planned, failing, or being rushed to completion to avoid further humiliation. 'Nagavalli' is usually a ritual performed on the fourth or fifth day of a traditional Telugu wedding; performing it on the first day signifies a desperate attempt to wrap up a failing or shameful event quickly.

Shun a wicked man.

This expression serves as a cautionary advice to avoid the company or proximity of evil-minded people. It implies that associating with bad characters can lead to unnecessary trouble or influence one's own reputation and character negatively.

His beauty has overflowed and his politeness has gone.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to look beautiful or sophisticated results in a loss of dignity or culture. It highlights a scenario where external decoration or modern pretense leads to the destruction of one's innate grace or traditional values. It is often used to criticize superficiality.

Said ironically of an ugly ruffian.