ఊరిమీద ఊరుపడ్డా, కరణంమీద కాసుపడదు.
urimida urupadda, karanammida kasupadadu.
Even if a village falls upon another village, not a penny will fall on the Karanam.
This proverb highlights the extreme selfishness or stinginess of a person in power. A 'Karanam' was a village accountant/official; the saying implies that no matter how much disaster or collective burden falls upon society, certain greedy or clever individuals will ensure they don't lose a single cent of their own wealth or take any responsibility.
Related Phrases
మనిషిమీద పీడ మహిమీద పోయింది
manishimida pida mahimida poyindi
The evil/burden on the person has transferred to the earth.
This expression is used when a person narrowly escapes a misfortune or when an object is broken/lost instead of a person getting hurt. It signifies that the bad luck or evil eye intended for the person was absorbed by the earth or a material object, resulting in a sense of relief.
మేత కరణం, కూత కరణం, వ్రాత కరణం
meta karanam, kuta karanam, vrata karanam
Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum
This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.
ఉపాయమున్నవాడు ఊరిమీద బ్రతుకుతాడు
upayamunnavadu urimida bratukutadu
A person with resourcefulness lives off the village
This expression means that a clever or resourceful person can survive anywhere by using their intelligence. It highlights that wit and strategic thinking are more valuable than physical labor or inherited wealth for one's livelihood.
దొంగకి అందరి మీద అనుమానమే
dongaki andari mida anumaname
A thief suspects everyone.
This expression means that a guilty person or someone who has committed a wrong is always paranoid and suspicious that others around them are judging them or are aware of their secret. It is used to describe how a person's own conscience makes them feel insecure and distrustful of others.
కత్తిమీద సాము
kattimida samu
Fencing on a sword
This expression is used to describe a situation that is extremely risky, precarious, or requires great skill and caution to handle without causing a disaster. It is synonymous with 'walking on a tightrope' or 'skating on thin ice'.
ఊరి మీద నూరు పడ్డా, కరణము మీద కాసు పడదు
uri mida nuru padda, karanamu mida kasu padadu
Even if a hundred (taxes/calamities) fall upon the village, not a single penny falls upon the village clerk.
This proverb describes a situation where an influential person or an administrator manages to remain unaffected by the troubles or financial burdens that plague the general public. It is used to critique corrupt officials or cunning people who shift burdens onto others while protecting their own interests at all costs.
ఉరుము ఉరిమి మంగళం మీద పడ్డట్టు
urumu urimi mangalam mida paddattu
Like a thunder that roared and fell upon the sacrificial fire-pan
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's anger or a problem originating elsewhere is unfairly diverted toward an innocent person or an unrelated object. It signifies misplaced venting of frustration or a situation where the consequences of one event unexpectedly affect something completely different.
ఉట్టిమీద కూడు, ఊరిమీద నిద్ర
uttimida kudu, urimida nidra
Food on the high-slung basket, sleep on the village.
This expression describes a person who lives a carefree, irresponsible, or nomadic lifestyle without any domestic stability or worries. It refers to someone who eats whenever they find food (stored in an 'Utti' or rope-net basket) and sleeps wherever they happen to be in the village, essentially living without any definite home or plan.
అరటాకు మీద ముల్లు పడ్డా ముల్లు మీద అరటాకు పడ్డా, అరటాకుకే ముప్పు
arataku mida mullu padda mullu mida arataku padda, aratakuke muppu
Whether a thorn falls on a banana leaf or a banana leaf falls on a thorn, it is the banana leaf that suffers.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a vulnerable person is always at a disadvantage when dealing with a powerful or harmful entity, regardless of who initiated the conflict. It implies that the weak must be extra cautious because they will be the ones to get hurt in any encounter with the strong.
ఊరి మీద నూరు పడ్డా, కరణము మీద కాసు పడదు
uri mida nuru padda, karanamu mida kasu padadu
Though a hundred [pagodas] be levied from the village, not a cash will be paid by the Karanaṁ. A cash ( కాసు ) is 1-60th of an Anna. The instrument of oppression does not himself suffer.
This proverb describes a situation where an influential person or authority figure remains unaffected by the troubles or financial burdens that plague the community they oversee. It is used to highlight systemic corruption or the cleverness of bureaucrats who ensure their own safety and wealth while others suffer losses.