తల్లి తర్పణానికే తక్కువైతే, పినతల్లికి పెట్టరా పిండప్రదానం అన్నట్లు.

talli tarpananike takkuvaite, pinatalliki pettara pindapradanam annatlu.

Translation

When there is not enough even for the mother's rites, he asks to perform rituals for the stepmother/aunt.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is unable to fulfill basic or essential needs, yet they are asked or attempt to fulfill secondary or less important demands. It highlights misplaced priorities or the irony of demanding extra when the fundamentals are not met.

Related Phrases

Like saying flour blown away by the wind is an offering to Lord Rama.

This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be charitable or generous with something they have already lost or cannot use. It refers to making a virtue out of necessity or claiming credit for a sacrifice that wasn't intentional.

One missed being born to the maternal aunt, the other missed being born to the mother.

This expression is used to describe two people who are equally wicked, cunning, or troublesome. It implies that there is no difference in their bad character; if one is bad, the other is slightly worse or just as bad. It is similar to saying 'two of a kind' or 'chips off the same block' in a negative context.

She talks like a mother, but she feeds me like a step mother.

This expression describes a person who speaks very kindly and affectionately but fails to provide any actual help or substance. It is used to point out the hypocrisy of someone whose actions do not match their sweet words, particularly in contexts of hospitality or generosity.

Said of a step mother.

When there isn't enough for the mother's rites, one offers rituals to the stepmother.

This proverb is used to criticize someone who ignores their primary responsibilities or immediate family needs while showing off or performing unnecessary favors for others. It highlights the irony of neglecting a core duty while pretending to be generous or diligent elsewhere.

One who doesn't feed his own mother is said to buy a saree for his maternal aunt.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who neglects their fundamental duties or those closest to them, yet tries to gain a good reputation by performing grand gestures for others or distant relatives. It highlights the irony of showing off generosity to the world while failing to meet basic responsibilities at home.

Like pulling away your own mother by the legs and saying "Offer the rice-ball for the maternal aunt."

This proverb is used to describe a person who neglects their primary duties or the people who truly care for them, while performing grand, hypocritical acts of service for others or for outward appearances. It highlights the irony of being cruel to those who deserve love while pretending to be virtuous elsewhere.

Dragging one's own mother by the legs while offering ritual food (Pindam) to the stepmother.

This proverb describes a person who neglects or mistreats those who are truly close to them and have a primary claim to their care, while performing grand, hypocritical acts of devotion or charity toward others for the sake of appearances. It highlights gross ingratitude and misplaced priorities.

The words are of a mother, but the feeding is that of a step-mother.

This proverb is used to describe a person who talks very affectionately and kindly but acts selfishly or cruelly when it comes to providing help or resources. It highlights the hypocrisy between one's sweet words and their stingy actions.

When the biological mother's stomach was burning (with hunger), the stepmother's butt was burning.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is truly suffering or in need is ignored, while someone else makes a frivolous or exaggerated complaint to gain attention or compete. It highlights the contrast between genuine distress and fake or disproportionate grievances.

Even if poor in food, is one poor in caste/status?

This proverb is used to express that even if someone lacks financial resources or basic necessities like food, they still maintain their self-respect, dignity, or social standing. It highlights the idea that poverty does not equate to a loss of character or heritage.