రాజం కాయ పిచ్చికొండ, మా అన్నగారికి భాషా శంకం.
rajam kaya pichchikonda, ma annagariki bhasha shankam.
"O king! accept this cocoanut" [said one,] "My elder brother is agitated at [the sight of] the Royal Court" [said the other.] There were two clerical Brahman brothers who were very poor, but well versed in the Vedas. Vexed at their poverty, they proposed to go to the king, present him with a cocoanut and obtain a present in return. Having arrived at Court, the elder brother held out the cocoanut to the king and attempted to say రాజా టెంకాయ పుచ్చుకొండి (Rājā ṭenkāya puccukondi) "O king! accept the cocoanut" but being quite confused, mumbled nonsensically రాజాం కాయపిచ్చికొండ (Rājāṇ kāya pichchikondā). The younger brother attempted to apologize but was equally flurried and stammered out యా మన్నగారికి భసాపంకం (Yā mannagāriki bhasūpan- kam) instead of saying మా అన్నగారికి సభాకంపం (Mā annagāriki sa- bhākampam) "my elder brother is agitated at [the sight of] the Royal Court." The king was greatly amused and gave them each a present.
This is a humorous and satirical proverb used to mock people who pretend to be highly knowledgeable or scholarly but struggle with basic communication or display absurd confusion. It highlights the irony of someone claiming intellectual superiority while failing at fundamental tasks or words.
Related Phrases
టెంకాయ కొట్టినట్లు
tenkaya kottinatlu
Like breaking a coconut
This expression is used to describe something that is done very clearly, directly, and decisively without any ambiguity. Just as a coconut breaks cleanly into two when hit correctly, it refers to speaking or acting in a straightforward and blunt manner.
వంకాయ కూరకు టెంకాయ మసాలా
vankaya kuraku tenkaya masala
Coconut spice/masala for brinjal curry
This expression refers to a perfect combination or an ideal match. Just as coconut masala enhances the taste of brinjal curry, it is used to describe two things or people that complement each other perfectly to produce a great result.
రాజుగారి భార్య పతివ్రత అన్నట్లు.
rajugari bharya pativrata annatlu.
Like saying the King's wife is a faithful woman.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone states something that is universally obvious, undisputed, or redundant. It suggests that certain things are so well-established by status or common knowledge that pointing them out is unnecessary or serves as a sarcastic commentary on stating the obvious.
పచ్చికాయ తుంచినా పండవుతుందా?
pachchikaya tunchina pandavutunda?
Will a raw fruit ripen just because you pluck it?
This proverb is used to convey that things cannot be rushed before their natural time. Just as plucking a raw fruit prematurely doesn't make it ripe or sweet, forcing a process or a person to yield results before they are ready will not lead to success. It emphasizes patience and the importance of timing.
ఊరపిచ్చుక మీద తాటికాయ ఉంచినట్టు
urapichchuka mida tatikaya unchinattu
Like putting a palmyra fruit on a sparrow. Expecting a person to do what is beyond his power.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a burden, punishment, or responsibility is way too heavy for someone to handle. It highlights a massive mismatch between a person's capacity and the task or penalty imposed on them, often implying overkill or extreme disproportion.
కొండతో తగరు ఢీకొన్నట్లు.
kondato tagaru dhikonnatlu.
Like a ram ramming into a mountain.
This expression is used to describe an unequal or foolish confrontation where a weak opponent tries to challenge someone far more powerful. Just as a ram would only hurt itself by charging at a mountain without causing any damage to the mountain, the weaker party in such a conflict will inevitably face destruction or failure.
కొండంత రాగం తీసి, పిచ్చికుంట్ల పాట పాడినట్లు
kondanta ragam tisi, pichchikuntla pata padinatlu
Starting with a melody as vast as a mountain, but singing a pathetic/foolish song.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a massive buildup or a grand introduction, but the actual result or performance is underwhelming, mediocre, or trivial. It highlights the disparity between high expectations and a poor outcome.
బీరకాయ పీచు
birakaya pichu
Ridge gourd fiber
This expression is used to describe a very distant, weak, or insignificant relationship between two people. Just as the fiber inside a ridge gourd is thin and peripheral, this phrase highlights a connection that is barely there or purely namesake.
పిచ్చివాడికి లోకమంతా పిచ్చే
pichchivadiki lokamanta pichche
To a madman, the whole world is mad
This expression describes a cognitive bias where a person with a flawed perspective or specific obsession assumes that everyone else shares the same madness or is wrong. It is used to point out that one's perception of the world is often a reflection of their own state of mind.
ఊరపిచ్చుక మీద తాటికాయ పడినట్లు.
urapichchuka mida tatikaya padinatlu.
Like a palm fruit falling on a house sparrow.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a massive or overwhelming burden, punishment, or disaster befalls someone who is very small, weak, or insignificant. It highlights a complete mismatch in scale, suggesting that the impact is far greater than what the victim can handle or endure.