యజ్ఞానికి ముందేమిటంటే, తలక్షవరం అన్నట్లు.

yajnyaniki mundemitante, talakshavaram annatlu.

Translation

Like saying a head shave comes before the sacrificial ritual.

Meaning

This proverb describes a situation where a minor, trivial, or sometimes unpleasant task is prioritized or highlighted over the grander, more significant event. It is used to mock someone who focuses on the trivialities or the preliminary hardships rather than the actual importance of a major undertaking.

Related Phrases

Like performing a sacred ritual only to reveal one's adultery.

This proverb describes a situation where someone performs a grand, virtuous, or public act, but in the process, accidentally exposes their own hidden flaws, wrongdoings, or secrets. It is used when a person's attempt to gain fame or merit backfires by bringing their scandals to light.

A rupee and a half for the haircut of a wandering widow.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cost or effort involved in a task far exceeds the value or worth of the subject itself. It highlights unnecessary extravagance or disproportionate spending on someone or something that doesn't deserve it or won't benefit from it meaningfully.

If you say 'I trust you Rama', he replies 'I will drown you in the middle of the river Lakshmana'.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme betrayal. It is used when someone completely trusts another person, but that person takes advantage of that trust to cause them severe harm or ruin. It highlights the irony and cruelty of being betrayed by someone you relied on.

When asked what preparations had been made for the offer- ing, he said "Here are swords and daggers." A religious Brahman is not permitted even to touch a lethal weapon. An impertinent, unbecoming reply.

This proverb describes a situation where the preparations are completely contrary or irrelevant to the actual purpose of the task. It is used when someone's actions or tools do not match the peaceful or constructive nature of the goal they claim to be pursuing.

When asked what the dogs' worry was, he said to check if the Chitta Karthe (monsoon season) has started.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is overly anxious or obsessed with a specific recurring event or timing, often related to their primal instincts or desires. It refers to the mating season of dogs (Chitta Karthe), suggesting that some people are only concerned with things that satisfy their personal urges or specific seasons of opportunity.

There is no 'uncleanliness' for a funeral rite, and no 'defilement' for a sacrificial ritual.

This proverb is used to highlight that certain urgent or sacred duties transcend the usual social rules of ritual purity or contamination. It implies that in extreme circumstances or during specific high-priority tasks, one should not be overly pedantic about minor rules of hygiene or traditional taboos.

If one does a haircut, he is a barber; if one gets his head shaved clean (deceived), he is a fool.

This proverb plays on the word 'Kshavaram' (shaving/haircut). While a barber performs a professional service, 'Tirukshavaram' is a slang term for being swindled or cheated out of everything. It is used to describe a situation where someone has been completely fooled or left with nothing by another person's cunning.

A half-cent widow gets a one-cent haircut.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cost of a service or a solution far exceeds the value of the object or person being attended to. It highlights extravagance, poor financial planning, or a mismatch between the value of a thing and the expenses incurred upon it.

Monday is Shuba Lakshmi, Tuesday is Maha Lakshmi

This phrase is typically used by street vendors, beggars, or traditional performers to praise potential donors or customers on specific days of the week. It suggests that since the day is auspicious (Monday or Tuesday), the person giving charity or making a purchase will be blessed with prosperity and wealth. It is a form of rhythmic flattery used to encourage generosity.

Science/Scriptures have no impurity; Sacrifice has no defilement.

This expression is used to suggest that pursuit of knowledge, higher duties, or sacred work transcends minor ritualistic or physical impurities. In a broader sense, it implies that when one is performing a great or necessary task, small flaws or trivial rules can be overlooked for the sake of the larger good.