ఊరు ఉసిరికాయంత, సిద్ధాంతము తాటికాయంత

uru usirikayanta, siddhantamu tatikayanta

Translation

The village is like the Ustekâya and the religious duties are like the Tâṭikâya. The Ustekâya ( No. 339 ) is a small fruit, and the Tâṭikâya ( No. 390 ) a large fruit. Applied to exactions imposed upon people for religious purposes greater than they can bear.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a minor issue or a small entity is governed by overly complex, heavy, or disproportionate rules and theories. It highlights the absurdity of having excessive bureaucracy or complicated procedures for a very small and simple matter.

Related Phrases

Fire above, fire below, fire in the belly, and if the foot stops, the master causes trouble.

This proverb describes the plight of a hardworking laborer or farmer. 'Fire above' refers to the scorching sun, 'fire below' refers to the hot earth, and 'fire in the belly' refers to hunger. It signifies that despite physical suffering and hunger, they cannot stop working because they are afraid of the master's wrath or the loss of their livelihood.

All of it is just a hole/gap

This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a total loss, or when something is completely hollow, empty, or useless despite appearances. It implies that everything has gone down the drain or that the entirety of a matter results in nothingness.

The village is the size of a berry, but the rulebook is the size of a palm fruit.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the overhead, bureaucracy, or theory is much larger and more complex than the actual subject or problem itself. It highlights the irony of having excessive rules or grand plans for a very small or insignificant matter.

As sweet as a neem fruit, as cool as the summer.

A sarcastic expression used to describe something that is actually the opposite of what is being said. Since neem is incredibly bitter and summer is scorching hot, this phrase highlights a situation that is extremely unpleasant, harsh, or difficult, while using ironic comparisons.

How much is a turkey berry's juice, and how much is the curry made from it?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the resources or the source material is so small or insignificant that the final output or benefit derived from it is negligible. It highlights the irony of trying to make something substantial out of something very tiny.

However good a man a shepherd may be, he will not be entirely free from foolishness.

This proverb suggests that even the most sensible or virtuous person has a small flaw, a peculiar quirk, or a moment of irrationality. It is often used to point out that perfection does not exist and everyone possesses some inherent eccentricity or minor weakness.

He cannot even get up from a sitting position, but he says he will jump and kick a palmyra fruit.

This proverb is used to describe someone who lacks the basic ability or resources to perform a simple task, yet makes boastful claims about achieving something incredibly difficult or impossible. It mocks overambition and empty boasting by highlighting the gap between a person's actual capacity and their tall claims.

How long does it take to salt an Ustekâya ? How much is there of it to put on a dish ?

This proverb is used to describe something that is trivial, insignificant, or very small in scale. Just as a tiny nightshade berry (usthekaaya) requires almost no time to pickle and provides very little substance as a side dish, the expression refers to tasks that are finished in a blink or resources that are too meager to make a difference.

Ustekâya ( Solanum Trilobatum ) is a small fruit. Applied to something very insignificant. ఊ.

A pack-saddle fits the size, and a quilt fits the pack-saddle.

This proverb is used to describe a perfect match or a situation where things are suited to each other, often used in a sarcastic or humorous way to describe a couple or a pair of people who share the same (often negative) traits or habits. It implies that for every person or situation, there is a corresponding match that deserves them.

A tiny seed's worth of luck is better than a pumpkin's worth of intelligence

This proverb highlights that even immense intelligence or talent can sometimes be overshadowed by a small amount of good fortune. It is used to describe situations where hard work and wisdom fail to achieve what a lucky break manages to accomplish instantly.