పోరు చాలక పొయ్యి దగ్గర పడుకుంటే, బొంత కాలిపోయె నారాయణా!

poru chalaka poyyi daggara padukunte, bonta kalipoye narayana!

Translation

Unable to bear the cold, when one slept near the hearth, the quilt caught fire, Oh Narayana!

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone, in an attempt to escape a minor problem or discomfort, ends up facing a much bigger disaster or loss. It is similar to the English expression 'out of the frying pan and into the fire.'

Related Phrases

Selling the fertilizer and putting the quilt in the hearth.

This expression is used to describe a foolish or self-destructive person who sells their source of livelihood (fertilizer for farming) and then destroys their only means of comfort or warmth (the quilt) for fuel. It refers to someone who makes decisions that lead to their own total ruin by wasting both their assets and their necessities.

Writing more makes one an accountant, coughing more leads to death.

This proverb emphasizes how repetitive actions lead to a final result or expertise. Just as continuous practice in writing and bookkeeping makes one a skilled 'Karanam' (village accountant), persistent coughing or neglecting one's health leads to an inevitable end. It is used to suggest that habits or conditions, when continued over time, lead to significant outcomes.

Would Narayana (Lord Vishnu) reside in hell?

This expression is used to indicate that one cannot find goodness, peace, or noble people in a place filled with evil or chaos. It suggests that a person's environment dictates what one can expect to find there, or that a divine/pure soul would not be found in a sinful or wretched situation.

Badarayana relationship

This expression is used to describe a forced, far-fetched, or imaginary connection between two unrelated things or people. It refers to an illogical attempt to establish a relationship where none naturally exists.

When the fire was lighted in the opposite house, he threw water on his own.

This expression describes the irrational and self-destructive nature of extreme jealousy. It refers to someone who is so consumed by envy of another person's success or prosperity that they sabotage their own progress or well-being out of spite or sheer frustration.

An envious man waxes lean with the fatness of his neighbour. Envy is its own torturer. ( Danish ? ) * Wer einen lobt in Praesentia und schimpft in Absentia, den hole die Pestilentia. † Avindayg er sin egen Böddel.

The heat from the stove will inevitably touch the adjacent pot.

This expression is used to signify that the influence, consequences, or heat of a nearby event or a close relationship will eventually affect those in the vicinity. Similar to the English proverb 'If you play with fire, you'll get burned,' it suggests that one cannot remain completely unaffected by the environment or people they are closely associated with.

Like a saddle and a rug coming together to become a donkey's burden.

This expression is used to describe a situation where two useless or insignificant items or people join together, resulting in nothing but a heavy, unproductive burden. It suggests that the combination of poor quality components only leads to more trouble or labor rather than any benefit.

As long as there is a need, he is Adinarayana (God); once the need is fulfilled, he is Guda Narayana (worthless).

This proverb is used to describe opportunistic or selfish people who show great respect and devotion to someone only as long as they need a favor. Once their objective is achieved, they treat the same person with contempt or indifference.

The stove burns brightly after the rice is cooked.

This proverb describes a situation where help, resources, or solutions arrive too late to be of any use. It is used to remark on wasted efforts or delayed timing that misses the window of opportunity.

When asked why she slept with him, she replied, 'How can I say no when such an influential/great man grabs my hand?'

This satirical proverb is used to criticize people who justify their wrongdoings or lack of character by citing the high status or power of the person who led them astray. It mocks those who use 'politeness' or 'respect for authority' as a weak excuse for committing an immoral or inappropriate act.