ఒక పూట తినేవాడు యోగి, రెండు పూటలు తినేవాడు భోగి, మూడు పూటలా తినేవాడు రోగి

oka puta tinevadu yogi, rendu putalu tinevadu bhogi, mudu putala tinevadu rogi

Translation

One who eats once a day is a Yogi, one who eats twice a day is a Bhogi, one who eats thrice a day is a Rogi

Meaning

This traditional Telugu proverb highlights the health benefits of moderation in eating. It suggests that eating once a day leads to spiritual and physical discipline (Yogi), eating twice a day is for those enjoying a worldly life (Bhogi), while eating three or more times a day leads to sickness or a diseased state (Rogi).

Related Phrases

Like a pilgrim visiting the house of a beggar.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already in a miserable or poor condition is visited by someone else who is equally or even more destitute, looking for help. It highlights the irony of seeking assistance from someone who has nothing to give.

One who eats it raw because it might shrink if dried.

This expression describes an extremely stingy or miserly person. It refers to someone who is so obsessed with quantity and saving that they would rather consume something in its inferior, raw state (like wet grain or wood) just to avoid the natural, slight loss in volume or weight that occurs during the drying process.

For feasting or for medicine, three times. A man will not be treated as a guest for more than three meals and he is not expected to stay longer.—The effect of medicine should be tried by three doses after which, if it fail, it should be given up.

This proverb suggests that both hospitality (visiting/hosting) and medicinal treatments have a limit to their effectiveness and welcome. Just as one should not overstay their welcome as a guest, one should not overindulge or rely on medicine for too long. It is used to emphasize that some things are only good in moderation and for a short duration.

Like a beggar asking for curd rice.

This proverb is used to describe a person who is in a desperate or dependent situation but still makes high demands or shows excessive fussiness. It refers to someone who lacks the basic means to survive yet expects luxuries or specific preferences that are beyond their current status.

There is no one who works like a family member, and no one who eats like an outsider.

This expression highlights the contrast between ownership and detachment. It implies that a person who has a stake in the house (the family member) works with utmost dedication and responsibility, whereas a guest or outsider enjoys the benefits (the meal) without the same burden of labor or long-term concern for the resources.

Behind the person who gathers and eats, followed the person who scrapes and eats.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person who is already poor or struggling is burdened by someone even worse off. It highlights the irony of a needy person being followed by someone seeking help from them, despite having nothing to give.

Eating two meals a day is enjoyment, eating one meal a day is spiritual discipline (Yoga).

This proverb highlights the traditional Indian perspective on food and health. It suggests that eating twice a day is a comfortable, pleasurable life for a common person (Bhoga), while restricting oneself to a single meal is a practice of self-control and spiritual focus (Yoga/Upavasa). It is often used to emphasize moderation and the benefits of fasting or controlled eating.

If a man who kicks heads leaves, a man who kicks palm trees will arrive

This proverb is used to warn that if one problematic or clever person leaves, they might be replaced by someone even more difficult, smarter, or more dangerous. It implies that things can always get more intense or that there is always someone superior in skill or mischief.

When the man who ate sheep went, a man who ate buffa- los came. Parting with one rascal and getting a greater scoundrel in his place.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an existing problem or a bad person is replaced by something or someone even worse. It highlights that instead of finding relief, one has ended up with a more difficult or greedy person/situation.

If the one who eats meat leaves, the one who eats bones will come.

This proverb is used to warn that if a bad person or a difficult situation is replaced, the successor might be even worse or more exploitative. It highlights the fear that the 'new' might be more desperate or damaging than the 'old'.