పొంగేకాలానికి బలుసు, వ్రగ్గే కాలానికి మామిడి

pongekalaniki balusu, vragge kalaniki mamidi

Translation

Balusu (shrub) for the rising times, Mango for the falling times.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the cyclical nature of life and fortune. It suggests that during prosperous times (rising), one might settle for humble or simple things like the Balusu plant, but when times are difficult or declining (falling), one seeks the sweetness or luxury of a Mango to cope. Alternatively, it is used to describe how people's preferences or the availability of resources change according to their current life situation or seasons.

Related Phrases

Tamarind for famine, mangoes for the season

This proverb highlights nature's balance and agricultural wisdom. Tamarind trees are drought-resistant and provide food during famines (scarcity), whereas mangoes flourish during their specific season (abundance). It suggests that different things serve different purposes depending on the circumstances, and that one should be prepared for both good and bad times.

Three times the troubles in old age.

This expression refers to the immense hardships, health issues, and dependencies that often plague a person during their old age. It is used to describe a situation where one faces constant, overwhelming difficulties during the final stages of life.

Puberty gifts at the time of death.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone receives or attempts something useless or inappropriate for their current stage or condition. It refers to gifts given during a girl's puberty ceremony (samarta), which are completely meaningless or ill-timed when one is facing death or an end of an era.

Mangoes bloom during good times, tamarinds bloom during bad times.

This proverb suggests that positive and sweet experiences (symbolized by mangoes) arrive during prosperous or favorable periods, whereas sour struggles and worries (symbolized by tamarinds/worries, as 'chinta' means both tamarind and worry in Telugu) are prevalent during difficult times. It is used to describe the cyclic nature of fortune and misfortune.

A brass chain for the wife at home, and a gold chain for the woman in the street.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who neglects or mistreats their own family or those close to them while showing excessive generosity or kindness to outsiders and strangers to gain social prestige or out of misplaced priorities.

Misery for the times and troubles for the country.

This expression is used to describe a period of collective misfortune or a series of calamities affecting a whole region or nation. It implies that when times are bad, hardships become widespread and inevitable, often used when discussing economic crises, natural disasters, or political instability.

In bad times, even a pigeon pea plant will not bear fruit

This proverb describes a period of misfortune where even the simplest or most reliable tasks fail to yield results. It is used to express that when luck is against someone, even their best efforts and usually dependable resources will let them down.

Mangoes for famine, Jamun fruit for seasonal rains.

This proverb refers to agricultural patterns and nature's balance. It suggests that in years of drought or poor rainfall, mango trees tend to yield a bumper crop (providing food during scarcity), whereas in years of good, timely rainfall, Jamun (Black Plum) trees thrive and produce abundantly.

A perverted mind at the time of downfall

This proverb is used to describe a person who starts making foolish or disastrous decisions when their downfall or end is near. It suggests that when someone's time is up or fate is against them, their own intellect fails them, leading to self-destructive actions.

Mangoes bloom in good times, tamarinds bloom in bad times.

This proverb highlights how nature and life reflect one's fortune. It suggests that during prosperous times (good seasons), one enjoys sweet results like mangoes, whereas during difficult periods (famine or bad seasons), only sour or hardy results like tamarind are found. It is used to describe the cyclic nature of prosperity and hardship.