వృష్టికి ప్రమాణం ఉత్తర హస్తలు

vrishtiki pramanam uttara hastalu

Translation

The standard for rain is Uttara and Hasta.

Meaning

This is a traditional agricultural saying related to the 'Kartelu' (astrological periods). It suggests that the rainfall during the Uttara and Hasta periods is the true measure or benchmark for a good monsoon and a successful harvest. It emphasizes the importance of these specific seasonal rains for farming.

Related Phrases

Even if all other seasons fail, the Hasta rain will not fail.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansions (Kartes). It implies that even if the rains fail during other periods, the rains during the 'Hasta Karthe' are reliable and inevitable. In a broader sense, it refers to a dependable final chance or a certainty that one can rely on when everything else fails.

If the seasons (Kartelu) deceive, famines will follow.

This traditional Telugu proverb emphasizes the dependency of agriculture on the 'Kartelu' (astrological seasonal periods that dictate rainfall). It means that if the rains do not arrive during their designated seasonal periods, it leads to crop failure and eventually famine. It is used to highlight the importance of timely natural cycles for survival.

A signature is the life of a document

This expression emphasizes the importance of a signature or an official mark on a paper. It means that without a signature, a letter, contract, or note has no legal or practical value, much like a body without a soul. It is used to stress the need for formal authentication in documentation.

Whether it's excessive rain or no rain at all, the pain of hunger is inevitable.

This proverb highlights that extremes of any situation lead to the same disastrous result. In agriculture, too much rain (floods) or too little rain (drought) both destroy crops, leading to famine. It is used to describe situations where different types of problems eventually lead to the same suffering or negative outcome.

A sick person needs a sinful (unhealthy) thing.

This proverb describes the tendency of a person in a bad or vulnerable state to desire things that are harmful to them. Just as a sick person might crave food that is forbidden or worsens their health, people in trouble often make choices that aggravate their situation.

When someone mentions the pumpkin thief, the culprit touches their shoulders.

This proverb is used to describe a person who inadvertently reveals their guilt through their defensive behavior or body language when a crime or mistake is mentioned, even if they weren't directly accused. It is equivalent to the English concept of 'a guilty conscience needs no accuser.'

If sown during the Hasta star period, it will not come back to the hand.

This is an agricultural proverb (sameta) referring to the 'Hasta Karthe' (a specific solar mansion in the Hindu calendar). It suggests that crops sown during this specific time period often fail or yield poor results, meaning the investment never returns to the farmer's hand. It is used to highlight the importance of timing and seasonal wisdom.

Whether it is excessive rain or a total lack of rain, the pangs of hunger are inevitable.

This proverb is used to describe a lose-lose situation or a scenario where regardless of the extreme circumstances (too much or too little), the suffering of the common people remains the same. It highlights that both floods and droughts lead to the same result: crop failure and starvation.

That profit and this loss are equal.

This proverb is used when the pleasure or satisfaction derived from an action is completely offset or negated by the resulting loss or trouble. It describes a break-even situation where the gain was not worth the cost, or where the damage done balances out the enjoyment felt.

The hand of a Brahmin and the trunk of an elephant do not stay still.

This expression describes the inherent nature of certain things or people to be constantly active or moving. A Brahmin's hand is traditionally busy with rituals, counting beads, or receiving alms, while an elephant's trunk is always swaying or searching. It is used to remark on someone who is restlessly busy or a situation where constant activity is inevitable.