ఊరివారి బిడ్డను నగరివారు కొట్టితే, నగరివారి బిడ్డను నారాయణుడు కొట్టును.

urivari biddanu nagarivaru kottite, nagarivari biddanu narayanudu kottunu.

Translation

If one of the royal family strike a villager's child, Nârâyaṇa will strike his child. "[ The LORD ] will avenge the blood of his servants." Deuteronomy xxxii. 43.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes the concept of divine justice and karma. It suggests that if those in power oppress or mistreat the common people who have no one to protect them, God will eventually intervene and punish the oppressors in a similar manner. It serves as a warning against the abuse of power.

Related Phrases

Like jumping and kissing someone else's child as if they were one's own.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone takes undue credit or feels excessive pride and excitement for something they did not create or achieve themselves. It highlights the absurdity of claiming ownership or being overly enthusiastic about someone else's hard work or success.

Striking and striking, but striking in the side.

This expression describes a situation where someone waits for a long time to act, or makes a great effort, only to make a critical mistake or perform the action at the wrong time/place. It is used to highlight a significant failure or a blunder after much anticipation or effort.

One may face a tiger, but one should never face government officials.

This proverb highlights the unpredictable and potentially destructive nature of bureaucracy and state power in ancient times. It suggests that while a tiger is a known physical danger, the legal or political entanglements with authorities (royalty/government) can be more complex, lingering, and ruinous to a person's life.

The village's turmeric, the village's vermilion; what does anyone lose?

This proverb describes a situation where someone is being overly generous or charitable with resources that do not belong to them. It is used to criticize people who act like big spenders or philanthropists using others' money or public property without feeling any personal loss or responsibility.

If the king strikes the child of a commoner, God will strike the child of the king.

This proverb emphasizes the principle of divine justice and karma. It suggests that those in power are not immune to consequences; if an authority figure treats a defenseless person unfairly, they or their legacy will eventually face retribution from a higher power. It serves as a warning against the misuse of power.

When the devil attacks will the child live ? Said of a meddling fool.

This proverb is used to describe an impossible situation where two contradictory things cannot happen at the same time. It implies that certain actions have inevitable, often negative, consequences; you cannot expect a positive outcome when a destructive force is involved. It is similar to saying 'You can't have your cake and eat it too' or used when someone wants to do something harmful but expects no damage.

When a foolish woman gave birth to a child, a rat supposedly carried the baby away and placed it in a pile of grain.

This proverb is used to mock someone who is extremely naive, careless, or foolish. It highlights an absurd situation where someone's lack of intelligence or awareness leads to impossible or ridiculous excuses. It is often applied to people who cannot handle simple responsibilities and blame external, illogical factors for their failures.

If the royalty strikes the commoner's child, God will strike the royalty's child.

This proverb conveys the concept of divine justice or karma. It suggests that if those in power (the palace/royalty) oppress or harm those who are defenseless (the common people), they will eventually face retribution from a higher power (God). It is used to warn people against abusing their authority or status.

When said 'Trust me, Narayana', he replied 'I would rather trust a fox'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has so little faith in a particular person that they would rather trust a notoriously cunning or deceitful entity (like a fox) instead. It highlights extreme distrust or the irony of someone untrustworthy asking for faith.

Everyone's own madness is a source of joy to them.

This proverb is used to describe how people have their own unique quirks, hobbies, or obsessions that might seem strange or foolish to others but bring immense happiness to themselves. It suggests that one should not judge others' personal interests, as subjective satisfaction is what matters most to the individual.