పిడుగుకూ బియ్యానికూ ఒకటే మంత్రము.

piduguku biyyaniku okate mantramu.

Translation

[ He has ] one Mantra for the thunderbolt and for the rice. Hindus believe that repetition of the ten names of Arjuna అర్జునః ఫల్గునః పాథకాః కిరీటీ శ్వేతవాహనః | బీభత్సో విజయః కృష్ణః సవ్యసాచీ ధనంజయః || drives away thunderbolts. An ignorant Brahman is said to have repeat- ed this Ślôka when receiving a dish of raw rice. Applied to impostors.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where a person uses a single, rigid solution or approach for vastly different problems. It highlights the absurdity of applying the same logic to a dangerous, sudden event (lightning) as one would to a mundane, everyday task (preparing rice). It is used to mock incompetence or an oversimplified approach to complex issues.

Related Phrases

The disease is one, the medicine is another. i. e. the one is not fitted to remove the other. Said of unsuitable remedies.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the solution provided does not match the problem at hand, or when actions taken are completely irrelevant to the actual issue. It highlights a lack of coordination or understanding in addressing a specific challenge.

Is there the same mantra for a lightning bolt and a child?

This expression is used to highlight that different problems require different solutions. It suggests that one cannot apply the same logic, treatment, or punishment to vastly different situations—specifically contrasting something as powerful and destructive as a lightning bolt (pidugu) with something as delicate as a child (bidda).

Like a struggle between curd and the water used to wash fermented rice.

This expression describes a situation where two people are arguing or fighting over something extremely trivial, or when a conflict arises between two things that are essentially the same or of very similar nature. It highlights the absurdity of intense disputes over insignificant differences.

It matters not whether the blind eye is open or shut. A useless man's absence is as good as his presence.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or action that yields no benefit or makes no difference regardless of the effort or choice made. It refers to something that is fundamentally useless or redundant, where the outcome remains unchanged by any change in state.

If you hold an umbrella, can it stop a lightning strike?

This proverb is used to highlight the inadequacy of small or trivial efforts when facing a major disaster or an overwhelming force. It suggests that certain problems are so massive that common defensive measures are completely useless against them.

Is there only one mantra for both a thunderbolt and rice?

This expression is used to criticize someone who tries to use the same solution for two completely different problems. It highlights the absurdity of treating a life-threatening or major event (thunderbolt) with the same approach as a common, mundane task (consecrating rice).

Will an umbrella stop a thunderbolt?

This expression is used to highlight the futility of using weak or insignificant defenses against a massive, overwhelming force or a major disaster. It suggests that certain problems are too big to be solved by trivial means.

Is there a bad day of the week for the falling of the thunder- bolt? Does the thunderbolt observe auspicious and inauspicious days ?

This proverb is used to describe an emergency or a sudden crisis where there is no time to follow traditional rules, rituals, or formalities. It suggests that when a disaster is imminent, one must act immediately rather than worrying about auspicious timings or protocols.

Is there only one mantra for both a lightning strike and for rice?

This expression is used to criticize someone who tries to apply the same solution or logic to two completely different and unrelated problems. It highlights that different situations require different approaches; you cannot treat a dangerous disaster (lightning) and a daily necessity (rice) with the same ritual or remedy.

Is holding an umbrella an obstacle to a lightning bolt?

This expression is used to describe a situation where a small or inadequate solution is proposed for a massive, unstoppable problem. It highlights the futility of using weak defenses against powerful forces or inevitable consequences.