విశాఖ వరదలు - సంక్రాంతి మబ్బులు

vishakha varadalu - sankranti mabbulu

Translation

Floods in Visakha - Clouds in Sankranti

Meaning

This proverb refers to things that are highly unlikely or completely out of season. Floods in the month of Vishakha (April/May) and cloudy skies during Sankranti (mid-January) are rare occurrences. It is used to describe unpredictable events or to express skepticism about something happening when it is not expected.

Related Phrases

Clouds during Sankranti; the excitement of the marginalized.

This proverb is used to describe things that are temporary or short-lived. Just as clouds appearing during the Sankranti festival (winter) do not result in rain and disappear quickly, the excitement or temporary joy of poor/underprivileged people was historically seen as fleeting because their circumstances remained unchanged.

Jangamas for Shivarathri, Haridasus for Sankranti

This expression refers to the specific roles or people who appear during certain occasions. It implies that everything has its own right time and place. Just as Saivite monks (Jangamulu) are prominent during Shivarathri and Vaishnavite devotees (Haridasulu) are seen during Sankranti, certain actions or individuals are relevant only during specific circumstances or seasons.

Clouds with Vishakha (star), meal ends with buttermilk.

This is a traditional agricultural and lifestyle saying. It means that just as a proper meal is only complete when it ends with buttermilk, the rainy season reaches its peak or fulfilling conclusion with the clouds appearing during the 'Vishakha' lunar mansion (Karti). It signifies completeness and the right order of things.

Even those in shackles (chains) come home for the Sankranti festival.

This proverb highlights the immense cultural and emotional significance of the Sankranti festival in Telugu culture. It implies that the pull of the festival is so strong that everyone makes an effort to return to their hometown or family, suggesting that even people with extreme constraints or busy schedules find a way to be with their loved ones during this time.

Moola (star) will drown, and Vishakha (star) will blow away.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the monsoon. It means that if it rains during the Moola Nakshatram (Moola constellation period), it results in heavy flooding (drowning), whereas rains during Vishakha Nakshatram are accompanied by strong, destructive winds (blowing away/scattering).

Shackles for the kite before Sankranti

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is usually free or mischievous is suddenly restricted or disciplined just before a major event or their peak time. It refers to the traditional practice of catching or grounding kites (birds of prey) before the kite-flying festival of Sankranti to prevent them from interfering.

O grandfather! Sankrânti [has arrived] catch it! catch it! Sankrânti is the transit of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricornus, when the Hindus celebrate the Pongal feast.—This is chaff ; old people observe the feast very scrupulously.

This expression is used to mock someone who is eagerly waiting for or anticipating something that is still far away, or to describe someone who is overly anxious for a future event. It implies that the person is being impatient about something that will happen in its own time.

If it rains during the Vishakha Karthe, it is like giving poison.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansion (Karthe) system. It suggests that rainfall during the Vishakha period (usually occurring in November) is detrimental to crops that are ready for harvest, effectively acting like poison and destroying the yield.

Seed of troubles - a courtesan's property

This proverb suggests that money or resources spent on vices or immoral pleasures (traditionally referred to as property of a courtesan) eventually becomes a source of great trouble and misery. It is used to warn someone that ill-gotten wealth or spending on bad habits leads to ruin.

If the Vishakha star catches you, it is like being caught by a ghost.

This is an astrological saying referring to the Vishakha Nakshatra. It suggests that individuals under the influence of this star can be extremely stubborn, persistent, or difficult to deal with, much like an obsession or a haunting spirit that doesn't let go easily. It is used to describe someone's relentless nature or a streak of bad luck that feels inescapable.