తల్లి చస్తే తరం బాసే, తండ్రి చస్తే రుణం బాసె
talli chaste taram base, tandri chaste runam base
If the mother dies, the generation is lost; if the father dies, the debt is cleared.
This proverb describes the traditional roles of parents in a family. When a mother passes away, the emotional connection and bonds between siblings and extended family (the generation) often weaken or dissolve. When a father passes away, the family's financial obligations, inheritances, and responsibilities (the debt/burden) transition to the next generation or are settled.
Related Phrases
తల్లి చస్తే తరంబాసె, తండ్రి చస్తే రుణం బాసె
talli chaste tarambase, tandri chaste runam base
If the mother dies, the generation connection is lost; if the father dies, the debt is cleared.
This proverb reflects the traditional roles in a family. When a mother passes away, the emotional bond and the connection to that generation/lineage often weakens or ends because she is the emotional glue. When a father passes away, the legal or financial obligations and 'debts' associated with his authority are considered fulfilled or settled. It is used to describe the profound changes in family dynamics after the loss of parents.
దూడ చస్తే కమ్మలం, గేదె చస్తే నిమ్మళం
duda chaste kammalam, gede chaste nimmalam
If the calf dies there will be Kammalam, if the she buffalo dies there will be quiet. Kammalam, corrupted from the Tamil Kaimúlam (கைமூలం) is a name given to milk drawn from a cow or buffalo which has lost its calf.
This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.
తండ్రి చస్తే పెత్తనం తెలుస్తుంది, తల్లి చస్తే కాపురం తెలుస్తుంది.
tandri chaste pettanam telustundi, talli chaste kapuram telustundi.
When the father dies, one understands management; when the mother dies, one understands household responsibilities.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a family. It suggests that a child only truly understands the burden of authority and financial responsibility once the father is gone, and the intricacies of managing a home and family bonds once the mother is gone.
కాకి చస్తే లోకులు ఎన్నో ఏడుస్తారు, కానీ కొనివాడు చస్తే ఏడ్చేవాడుండడు
kaki chaste lokulu enno edustaru, kani konivadu chaste edchevadundadu
When a crow dies, many people cry (mockingly), but when a lonely or poor person dies, there is no one to weep.
This proverb highlights the irony and hypocrisy in society. It suggests that people often make a big fuss over trivial or common occurrences (like a crow's death) but remain indifferent to the genuine suffering or demise of an unfortunate, isolated individual who has no influence or wealth.
పగలు చస్తే వాటికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపము లేదు
pagalu chaste vatiki ledu, ratri chaste dipamu ledu
If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.
తల్లి చనిపోతే తండ్రి పినతండ్రితో సమానము
talli chanipote tandri pinatandrito samanamu
When the mother dies, the father is equal to an uncle. He is not so affectionate as before.
This proverb suggests that after a mother's passing, the father's attention and affection might diminish or shift, especially if he remarries, making him distant like a secondary relative rather than a primary nurturer. It highlights the unique, irreplaceable role of a mother in a child's upbringing.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు.
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu.
If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.
This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu
If one dies during the day there is no wick, if one dies at night there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty or a sequence of unfortunate timings where basic necessities are unavailable regardless of the situation. It is used to highlight a person's miserable condition where they lack resources for even essential rites or survival, no matter when or how the need arises.
తల్లి చస్తే నాలుక చచ్చినట్లు, తండ్రి చస్తే కళ్ళు పోయినట్లు
talli chaste naluka chachchinatlu, tandri chaste kallu poyinatlu
When the mother dies, it is like the tongue dying; when the father dies, it is like losing one's eyes.
This proverb highlights the specific roles parents play in a child's life. A mother is associated with food and taste (the tongue), meaning her absence leads to a lack of nourishment and care. A father is seen as the guide and protector (the eyes), meaning his absence leaves the family without direction or security in the world.
తల్లి చస్తే కడుపు పెద్ద, తలలు మూస్తే కొప్పు పెద్ద
talli chaste kadupu pedda, talalu muste koppu pedda
When the mother dies, the stomach grows; when hair is tied, the bun looks big
This proverb highlights how people manage and move on after a loss. It suggests that once the person who feeds and cares for the family (the mother) is gone, one learns to fend for themselves or overeat out of lack of discipline, and that appearances can be deceptive or managed once the initial mourning period ends.