సంధ్యా వందనం చెయ్యరా అంటే సూర్యుణ్ని ఆగమన్నాట్ట

sandhya vandanam cheyyara ante suryunni agamannatta

Translation

When told to perform the evening prayers, he told the sun to wait.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a person who makes silly or impossible excuses to avoid doing a simple task. It refers to someone who procrastinates by trying to control things beyond their power instead of fulfilling their immediate responsibility.

Related Phrases

Can darkness stand against the rising sun?

This expression is used to convey that truth, justice, or a powerful positive force cannot be obstructed by falsehood or minor obstacles. Just as darkness naturally vanishes when the sun rises, problems or enemies disappear in the presence of someone truly capable or enlightened.

When asked to fast, you asked if I wanted to be branded with a hot iron.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone reacts excessively or suggests an extreme, painful alternative to a simple request or task. It highlights a lack of understanding or an exaggerated response to a suggestion.

If you perform Sandhyâvandanam there is no merit, but if you neglect it there is sin.

This expression is used to describe mandatory duties or responsibilities that are expected as a baseline. Performing them doesn't earn extra praise because they are considered a basic requirement, but neglecting them leads to negative consequences or criticism.

Like asking someone to recite evening prayers while they are dying.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gives impractical, ill-timed, or pedantic advice during a critical crisis. It refers to a person focusing on trivial rituals or formalities when immediate life-saving action or empathy is required.

A twilight prayer while dying?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to perform a task or follow a ritual at the very last moment when it is no longer useful or relevant. It highlights the irony of worrying about trivial procedures or formalities when facing a major crisis or life-ending situation.

When requested, 'Mother-in-law, mother-in-law, please serve some food,' she replied, 'I will apply lime (chunam) instead.'

This proverb describes a situation where a person expects help or kindness but receives something harmful or insulting in return. It highlights the behavior of mean-spirited or heartless people who mock others' genuine needs or suffering instead of showing empathy.

A wedding won't stop without a grinding stone, and sunset won't stop if one doesn't perform the evening ritual.

This proverb emphasizes that life and nature continue to move forward regardless of minor obstacles or whether an individual performs their rituals or duties. It is used to suggest that certain formalities are secondary to the larger process, and the world does not stop for anyone.

Will the sun stop if you say, 'Sun! I will offer you a salutation'?

This proverb is used to describe inevitable events or the unstoppable passage of time. It implies that certain processes, duties, or natural laws do not pause for anyone's convenience or rituals. It is often used to remind someone that the world doesn't wait for them.

Of the morning Sandhyâ, half is known in my heart, and half is known by the book ; the noon Sandhyâ is neither known to me nor to my priest ; as for the evening Sandhyâ I don't know it very well. i. e. He did not know a word of it.

This is a satirical expression or 'sameta' used to mock people who pretend to be pious or scholarly but lack genuine knowledge or discipline. It highlights the hypocrisy and negligence in performing religious duties, suggesting that rituals are often done half-heartedly, incorrectly, or skipped entirely under the guise of convenience.

* Celui gouverne bien mal la miel, qui n'en taste et ses dougts n'en lèche. † Chi maneggia quel degli altri, non va a letto sensa cena.

Reciting evening prayers while dying?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts a remedy or starts a ritual far too late to be of any use. It highlights the futility of performing actions at the very last moment when the situation is already beyond repair or when death/failure is imminent.