తూర్పున తెరవేసింది, తుంగభద్రలో దొడ్డికట్టరా గొల్లడా.

turpuna teravesindi, tungabhadralo doddikattara gollada.

Translation

The screen has risen in the east, build the pen in Tungabhadra, O Shepherd.

Meaning

This proverb is used to indicate that when rain clouds appear in the east, heavy rain is imminent. It suggests that the water levels in rivers like the Tungabhadra will rise quickly, so shepherds should move their livestock to safer, higher ground or secure them immediately. It serves as a metaphor for taking timely precautions when early warning signs of a situation appear.

Related Phrases

A temple is safer than the house.

Sometimes, one’s place of work or stay elsewhere is better than living in one’s own house, especially when domestic harmony is absent.

If a rainbow appears in the east, tie cattle in the marshy fields; if a rainbow appears in the west, tie cattle on a rock.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to weather prediction. A rainbow in the east occurs when the sun is in the west (evening), signifying the end of rain and approaching dry weather, making marshy lands safe for cattle. A rainbow in the west occurs when the sun is in the east (morning), signaling heavy incoming rain, requiring cattle to be moved to high, rocky ground to avoid floods.

A rainbow in the east, rain in the distance

This is a weather-related observation or proverb. Since the sun rises in the east and a rainbow appears opposite the sun, a morning rainbow (in the west) usually signifies approaching rain, whereas an evening rainbow in the east suggests the storm has already passed or is far away.

A crop sown during the Uttara Nakshatra is like wood cut with scissors.

This is an agricultural proverb implying that crops sown during the Uttara rain (Karti) grow very strong, sturdy, and yield high results, comparing their strength to hard timber. It highlights the importance of seasonal timing in farming.

If a rainbow appears in the east, even the roots of the nut-grass won't get wet; if it appears in the west, all the lowlands will be filled.

This is a traditional Telugu meteorological observation (sameta). It suggests that a rainbow in the east during the evening indicates no rain, while a rainbow in the west during the morning predicts heavy rainfall that will fill up all ditches and low-lying areas.

If a rain cloud forms in the east, not even a blade of grass will get wet.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb used to predict weather patterns. It suggests that in certain geographical regions, clouds appearing in the east do not result in local rainfall. It is used to describe situations that look promising but yield no actual results or to indicate that a particular sign is misleading.

Will I not dip in the Tungabhadra? Is it the command of Tatambhatta?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to prevent or forbid an action that is already inevitable or impossible to stop. It refers to a story where a person named Tatambhatta forbids someone from bathing in the river Tungabhadra, even though that person has no choice but to do so or is already determined to do it. It highlights the futility of issuing orders or restrictions on things that are bound to happen or are beyond the controller's authority.

If it rains from the west, even ruined pits will fill up; if it rains from the east, even the water-grass roots will dry up.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to monsoon patterns in the Telugu regions. It suggests that rainfall coming from the west (Southwest monsoon) is abundant and reliable enough to fill every dry pond, whereas rain clouds from the east (Northeast monsoon) are often insufficient or inconsistent, leading to drought-like conditions where even moisture-loving plants like 'tunga' grass wither away.

If a flood cloud forms in the east, not even a blade of grass will get wet.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to weather patterns. In certain regions of Andhra Pradesh, it is believed that clouds forming or moving from the east (during specific seasons) do not result in rain. It is used to describe situations that appear promising or threatening but result in no actual outcome or impact.

If it rains in the east, the plowing ox bellows.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb. It means that rainfall from the eastern direction (indicative of the monsoon or favorable winds) is a sign of good agricultural prospects. The ox bellows in joy or readiness, signaling that the season for plowing and farming has successfully begun.