తేనెతుట్టె పున్నానికి పూజ, అమావాస్యకు ఆరగింపు

tenetutte punnaniki puja, amavasyaku aragimpu

Translation

Worshiping the beehive on the full moon and consuming it on the new moon.

Meaning

This expression describes someone who pretends to respect or preserve something initially, only to exploit or consume it for their own benefit later. It is used to highlight hypocrisy or calculated greed where one waits for the right time to take advantage of a situation they previously claimed to honor.

Related Phrases

The mother-in-law who knew everything died on a New Moon day.

This proverb is used to mock people who claim to be experts or omniscient but fail at basic common sense or fail to account for things they should have known. In Telugu culture, the New Moon (Amavasya) is often considered inauspicious for certain events; the irony here is that despite her 'vast knowledge,' she couldn't even choose an auspicious time or manage her own fate effectively.

A man born on Navami and a woman born on Amavasya.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe individuals who are believed to be difficult to manage, stubborn, or troublesome. In Vedic astrology, Navami is considered a harsh day for men and Amavasya is considered difficult for women. It is used metaphorically to refer to people who cause stress to those around them.

Dosas for the New Moon, Boorelu (sweet dumplings) for the Full Moon.

This expression describes a person who expects specific treats or rewards according to a fixed schedule or ritual, or someone who is overly fond of festive food. It is often used to characterize a routine-based lifestyle centered around celebrations and eating.

He promised to give a big roti on the occasion of Pitru Amavasya.

This proverb is used to describe a person who makes empty promises of grand gifts or favors in the distant future, often to avoid giving something small or necessary in the present. It highlights the tendency to offer vague, future benefits that may never materialize.

If the priest does not come, will the new moon wait for him? Time and tide wait for no man.

This proverb is used to convey that time and tide wait for no man. Essential events in nature or life will continue to happen according to their own schedule, regardless of whether a specific person or professional is present or ready. It is often used to humble someone who thinks they are indispensable to a process.

Worship on full moon, offering on new moon, and swinging on a cradle for the whole month.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely lazy or seeks a lifestyle of constant comfort without doing any work. It depicts someone who treats every day like a festival or a holiday, engaging only in rituals, eating, and resting while avoiding responsibilities.

For Dandi Amavasya, the rain will break its rope and come down.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the monsoon season. It suggests that during the period of 'Dandi Amavasya' (a specific new moon day in the lunar calendar), the rains are expected to be extremely heavy and continuous, as if the rain has broken free from its restraints or 'tethers' to pour down uncontrollably.

Dozing off during the harvest and worrying about the house wall on a New Moon day.

This proverb describes someone who neglects their primary responsibilities during critical times (like the harvest season) and then starts worrying about minor or irrelevant matters when it is too late. It is used to mock people who are lazy when work is plenty but show sudden, misplaced concern later.

Crepes for the new moon, stuffed sweets for the full moon

This proverb refers to a predictable or routine lifestyle where everything happens according to a fixed schedule or tradition. It is often used to describe someone who strictly adheres to rituals or lives a life of monotonous regularity, ensuring specific celebrations or food items are prepared on specific lunar days regardless of other circumstances.

Worshipping on the full moon day and consuming on the new moon day.

This expression is used to describe a hypocritical or contradictory behavior where someone pretends to be extremely pious or respectful at one moment, only to act selfishly or disrespectfully later. It refers to a person who changes their stance or character based on convenience, specifically highlighting the contrast between the holiness of a ritual (worship) and the hunger for the end result (consumption).