ఉత్తర చూచి ఎత్తర గంప

uttara chuchi ettara gampa

Translation

Take up your basket [of seed ] when you see [the sun in] Uttara. Uttara is one of the twenty-seven lunar mansions. When the sun is in Uttara there is invariably rain, and seed is then sown. Make hay while the sun shines. Know your opportunity. (Latin.)

Meaning

Uttara is a specific Vedic rain star (Nakshatra). This proverb is used in an agricultural context, suggesting that when the Uttara rain arrives, it is time to harvest and pack the produce in baskets. It signifies being ready to reap the rewards of one's hard work at the right moment.

Related Phrases

When the household deity is starving to death, the field deity asked for a grand festival with baskets of offerings.

This proverb describes a situation where someone makes extravagant demands from a person who is already struggling with basic survival or poverty. It is used to highlight the absurdity of asking for luxuries or heavy contributions from those who cannot even afford their own basic necessities.

Suranna is young, Peranna is old; lift the chicken basket for father.

This is a sarcastic proverb used when subordinates or children make excuses to avoid work by shifting responsibilities among themselves, while ultimately expecting the elder or the leader to do the manual labor. It highlights laziness and the tendency to delegate simple tasks upward instead of helping out.

Don't leave your home seeing Vishakha; pack your basket seeing Uttara.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the monsoon season and lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It means that one shouldn't lose hope or abandon their home if it doesn't rain during the Vishakha season, but if it rains during the Uttara season, it is a sign of a bountiful harvest, and one should get their baskets ready to collect the produce. It is used to advise patience and readiness based on seasonal changes.

The boastings of Uttara Kumâra.

This expression is used to describe a person who boasts or brags excessively about their courage and abilities but proves to be a coward or fails miserably when it comes to actual action. It originates from the Mahabharata, where Prince Uttara Kumara made grand claims of bravery before fleeing the battlefield upon seeing the Kuru army.

Uttara, the son of king Virâṭa, volunteered to attack the Kurus, but his courage failed him and he turned tail at the sight of the enemy ( see Virâṭaparva of the Mahâbhârata ). Bragging. Bombast.

Look at Uttara (rain) and lift your basket; look at Vishakha (rain) and leave your house.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to rain-bearing nakshatras (lunar mansions). It means that when it rains during the 'Uttara' nakshatra, the harvest will be so bountiful that you must pick up your baskets to collect the yield. Conversely, if it rains during 'Vishakha', the resulting floods or heavy rains might be so severe that one might have to abandon their home. It highlights the impact of specific seasonal rains on farming and livelihood.

A quarrel has started, put down the basket.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is eagerly waiting for an excuse or a distraction to stop working. It refers to a laborer who, upon seeing a fight break out, immediately puts down their load to watch or participate, showing their lack of interest in the task at hand.

When the household deity was dying of hunger, the goddess of the field demanded a basket procession.

This proverb describes a situation where someone demands extravagant favors or celebrations when even the basic necessities are not being met. It is used to mock unrealistic or poorly timed demands made by people who are unaware of or indifferent to the dire financial or physical state of others.

After an abundant harvest, an earthen image of the goddess of the field is placed in a basket, and carried in procession, with musical instruments and much rejoicing. To be asked to give to others when badly off one's self.

A basket of mixed vegetables

This expression is used to describe a chaotic or diverse mixture of various unrelated things. It refers to a situation, collection, or group where many different elements are thrown together without any specific order or category, similar to a hodgepodge or a medley.

Look at Uttara and lift the basket

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the 'Uttara' Nakshatra (monsoon rain period). It implies that once the Uttara rains begin, the harvest season is ending or the rains will be so heavy that one should pack up their tools and prepare for the next stage. In a broader sense, it means to act promptly according to the signs of the environment or timing.

Seeing Uttara (rain), lift the basket; seeing Vishakha (rain), leave the house.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to rainfall during specific lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It suggests that when it rains during Uttara Phalguni, the harvest is so bountiful that one must pick up their baskets to collect the yield. Conversely, if it rains during Vishakha, the rains are so heavy or persistent that one might even need to abandon their house due to flooding or the intensity of the downpour.