వ్యవసాయం ఏలిననాటి శని, భార్య జన్మశని.

vyavasayam elinanati shani, bharya janmashani.

Translation

Agriculture is like Elinati Shani, and a wife is like Janma Shani.

Meaning

This is a traditional proverb used to describe the constant challenges and lifelong responsibilities one faces. Comparing agriculture to 'Elinati Shani' (a period of 7.5 years of hardship in astrology) suggests it requires immense, long-term effort and patience. Comparing a wife to 'Janma Shani' implies that domestic life and marriage are permanent, life-long commitments that one must manage with care regardless of the difficulties.

Related Phrases

Farming in a distant village and medicine in one's own village.

This proverb highlights the importance of proximity in different professions. It suggests that farming is best done in a fertile village (even if it's far), but medical help should be available in the village where one resides for immediate access during emergencies. It is used to discuss the strategic location of services based on necessity and convenience.

Farming with a neighbor and a household with two wives are the same.

This proverb highlights that certain situations are inherently problematic and difficult to manage. Just as shared farming leads to disputes over labor and yield, having two wives in one household traditionally leads to constant domestic conflict and lack of peace.

I can tell my state in three births—in the last I laid up nothing by generosity, in this God has given me nothing, and as I can give to no one here there is nothing for me in the next birth.

This expression reflects the philosophical belief in Karma and the cycle of rebirth. It is used to describe a state of perpetual poverty or a lack of resources, emphasizing that one's current situation is a result of past actions, and current inability to be charitable will result in future hardship. It serves as a commentary on the importance of generosity and the cause-and-effect nature of life.

If the King's first wife is called a devoted woman, does it mean the second wife is even more so?

This expression is used to mock someone who tries to prove their excellence or innocence by comparing themselves to someone already known for that trait, often implying that both are equally questionable or that the comparison is absurd. It is used when someone tries to outdo a claim that is already perceived as a lie or an exaggeration.

Farming with a bull, family life with a wife.

This proverb highlights the essential elements for success in traditional rural life. It suggests that just as an ox is indispensable for productive agriculture, a cooperative and understanding wife is the foundation for a harmonious and successful domestic life.

Agriculture belongs to the one who has paddy and cattle.

This proverb emphasizes that farming is only sustainable and profitable for those who possess the necessary resources, specifically grain (seed/wealth) and livestock (labor/manure). It is used to suggest that success in any venture requires having the essential fundamental assets.

Farming on high-elevated barren land will not even provide a meal.

This proverb highlights that investing effort or resources in an unproductive or unsuitable environment will yield no results. Just as farming on dry, elevated mound soil (pati) is futile because it cannot hold water, working on a flawed plan or in a hopeless situation will not even cover basic necessities.

Agriculture in Kolleru is the destruction of cattle

This proverb refers to Kolleru Lake, which is prone to sudden floods. While the land is fertile, farming there is highly risky. If floods occur, the cattle used for plowing often get stuck in the mud or drown, leading to their death. It is used to describe ventures where the potential for gain is overshadowed by the high risk of losing one's primary assets or livelihoods.

No matter where you go, the influence of Saturn (Sade Sati) will not leave you.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a person's bad luck or problems follow them regardless of where they go or what changes they make. It implies that certain hardships are inevitable due to fate or circumstances, and one cannot escape their troubles simply by changing locations.

She that gives will lose her life, she that advised will lose [ the advantage of ] her birth. The story runs thus: In the city of Matipuram, dwelt a king named Nayaśāli. He had three wives named Sumédāh, Suvarchalā, and Nitimati. Sumédāh was blessed with a son; her rival wives, being barren, were less loved by the king. This caused them to be jealous of Sumédāh, and Nitimati counselled Suvarchalā to poison the son, saying that afterwards they would share the king's favor equally with their more fortunate rival. Suvarchalā consulted in the matter with her intimate friend Vichitravati, the minister's daughter: Vichitravati after some deliberation replied "She that gives will lose her life, she that advised will lose her birth" ( i. e. will be banished from the king's presence.) Suvarchalā profiting by her friend's advice and perceiving the fatal consequences which would follow the com- mission of the intended crime, desisted from her wicked purpose.

This proverb describes a difficult or lose-lose situation where doing a favor or giving advice results in trouble for the benefactor. It is used when someone's kindness or honesty is met with ungratefulness or unexpected negative consequences, suggesting that sometimes helping others can backfire on the helper.