తాత కట్టిన చెరువని దూకుతారా?

tata kattina cheruvani dukutara?

Translation

Will you jump into a lake just because your grandfather built it?

Meaning

This proverb is used to warn against blind following or making dangerous decisions based solely on tradition or heritage. It implies that even if an ancestor or elder did something, one must still evaluate the current risks and exercise common sense before acting. It is often used to discourage foolish risks taken in the name of family pride.

Related Phrases

A rag which had held assafëtida.

This expression is used to describe a person or a family that has lost their past wealth or glory but still retains the aura or reputation of it. Just as a cloth used to wrap pungent asafoetida smells of it long after the spice is gone, the person carries the prestige of their former status.

Said of a man who is respected on account of his connection with the family of some famous person, no longer living ; or on account of his own greatness, now passed away.

Is that a stomach or a lake?

This expression is used to describe someone who eats excessively or has an insatiable appetite. It compares the capacity of their stomach to that of a lake, implying it is unusually large or bottomless.

One should live close to a lake and far from relatives.

This proverb highlights the importance of being near essential resources (like water) for survival while maintaining a healthy distance from relatives to avoid unnecessary conflicts, gossip, or dependence that can arise from over-familiarity.

If the elephant yam itself doesn't have an itch, why should the slicer (the knife board) have one?

This proverb is used to criticize an outsider who shows more concern, agitation, or anger about an issue than the person directly affected by it. It highlights unnecessary interference or exaggerated reactions by someone who has no stake in the matter.

Do children survive in front of demons?

This expression is used to describe an environment where vulnerable people or valuable things cannot thrive or survive because they are surrounded by cruel, corrupt, or destructive forces. It implies that a positive outcome is impossible in a predatory or toxic atmosphere.

The saree worn by a courtesan is considered Varanasi silk, while the saree worn by a poor woman is considered madman's silk.

This proverb highlights social prejudice and how the same thing is perceived differently based on a person's status or wealth. If a wealthy or influential person does something, it is praised or seen as a luxury; if a poor person does the same, it is dismissed or looked down upon.

Looking at the Pakala lake and wanting to drink all that water by itself, the male buffalo's heart burst and it died.

This proverb describes a situation where someone's excessive greed or over-ambition leads to their own downfall. It is used to mock people who attempt tasks far beyond their capacity or who harbor unrealistic desires that eventually lead to their ruin.

Are you eating bitter or cutting down trees ? Said of anything easy, or profitable.

This expression is used to question someone's priorities or logic when they complain about a process but still want the end result. It highlights the contradiction between wanting the benefits (like fruit) while being unwilling to endure the necessary hardships (the bitterness or hard work). It is often used to mock someone who makes unnecessary fusses or avoids hard work while expecting rewards.

A sharpened knife and a woman in captivity.

This expression describes items or individuals that are in their most effective or dangerous state. Just as a knife is most useful when sharpened (tari), a person (historically used in the context of a captive woman or 'kutthi' meaning a young woman/slave) is most vulnerable or completely under someone's control. In modern usage, it highlights the peak state of readiness or the absolute influence one holds over something.

A karaṇam to talk. A great talker but not good at his work.

This phrase refers to someone who creates a lot of noise or makes loud announcements but possesses no real power or authority. It is used to describe a person who is all talk and no action, or someone who holds a superficial position without the actual ability to influence outcomes.