వానికి పీటవేసి పిల్లకు చేట వేసినట్లు, మూలానక్షత్రంలో పుడితే మూల పీకివేసుకుపోతాడట

vaniki pitavesi pillaku cheta vesinatlu, mulanakshatramlo pudite mula pikivesukupotadata

Translation

Like placing a stool for him and a winnowing basket for the child; if one is born under the Moola star, it is said he will uproot the very corner of the house.

Meaning

This expression refers to deep-seated superstitions regarding the 'Moola Nakshatra' (an astrological star). It describes the belief that a child born under this star brings misfortune or destruction to the family (uprooting the house). The first part of the phrase about the stool and basket illustrates making specific, often ritualistic or cautious, arrangements for such individuals based on these traditional beliefs.

Related Phrases

When a wolf carried away the child nearby, he said the child from a distance of eight miles was a gain.

This expression is used to describe someone who tries to find a false sense of consolation or profit in a situation involving a significant loss. It highlights a foolish or cynical optimism where a person ignores a major tragedy nearby by focusing on a minor, irrelevant, or non-existent benefit far away.

Like a bird dropping its waste into the ocean

This expression is used to describe a contribution or an addition that is so insignificantly small compared to the vastness of the whole that it makes no difference at all. It is similar to the English idiom 'A drop in the bucket'.

Like hoisting a flag (or placing a turban) in a fort.

This expression is used to describe achieving a significant victory, establishing control over a difficult territory, or successfully securing a position in a place that seemed hard to reach. It signifies a major milestone or a successful 'conquest' in a professional or personal context.

When sacred grain was given to a luckless fellow, he went away and ate it up (instead of placing it on his head). The term Avalakshana is applied to a man who bears unlucky marks on his person, or whose manners are inauspicious.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic sense, culture, or awareness of traditions. Akshatalu (sacred rice) are meant to be showered on the head for blessings, not eaten. It highlights how a foolish or ill-mannered person ruins a solemn or sacred gesture by acting out of ignorance or greed.

Like placing a turban in the fort

This expression is used to describe a significant achievement, a grand success, or the act of establishing one's authority or presence in a difficult-to-reach place. Historically, placing one's turban in an enemy's fort symbolized victory and conquest. In modern context, it refers to reaching a milestone or securing a strong position in a competitive field.

Like feeding a buffalo and milking a cow.

This expression is used to describe a situation where one person puts in the effort or investment, but the benefits are reaped by someone else, or where actions are misdirected in a way that doesn't lead to the expected logical result.

A knot soaked in water, turmeric applied to a brand.

This expression is used to describe something that is fixed, permanent, or impossible to undo. Just as a wet knot becomes tighter and harder to untie, and turmeric applied to a cauterized wound stays fixed to the skin, this phrase refers to a decision or situation that is finalized and unchangeable.

Like placing a ladder to the sky

This expression is used to describe an impossible task or highly unrealistic and overambitious plans. It refers to a person having 'lofty' ideas or goals that are practically unattainable, similar to the English idiom 'reaching for the stars' but often with a connotation of futility or sarcasm.

A lakh of stars won't make one moon. " Better one virtuous son than even a hundred fools; the one moon dispels darkness and not hosts of stars." ( Hitopadeśa Book I. 17. )

Quality is far superior to quantity. This expression is used to emphasize that one exceptionally capable or brilliant person is more valuable than a vast number of mediocre ones. It is often used to describe a great leader, a talented child, or a single effective solution compared to many ineffective alternatives.

Like tying a hair to the sky

This expression is used to describe an impossible or extremely difficult task that requires extraordinary precision or is practically unattainable. It often refers to attempting something that has no solid foundation or trying to achieve a goal through highly improbable means.