Akal Badi Ya Bhains

# 82

March 13, 2021

Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:

अक्ल बड़ी या भैंस?

(Transliteration: Akal badi ya bhains?)

Literal translation: Is the brain bigger or the buffalo?

Figurative meaning: Brain (although smaller in size) is mightier than the buffalo (a massively huge animal).

Brain over Braun

Usage in a sample sentence:
शेर भैंस का शिकार करके खाता है, लेकिन खरगोश अपने अक्ल से शेर को कुएं में डाल देता है। तो, बताओ, अक्ल बड़ी या भैंस?

(Transliteration: Sher bhains ka shikaar karke khata hai, lekin khargosh apne akal se sher ko kuway mein dal deta hai. Toh, batao, akal badi ya bhains?)

Translation: The lion hunts and feeds on the buffalo, but the rabbit puts the lion into the well using his brains. So, tell me, brains or buffalo, which is bigger?

Origins of the proverb: This proverb is in the form of a rhetorical question. It asks which is bigger (or mightier), brains or a buffalo. The answer is in the question itself, as the proverb actually means to tell us that using our brains, we can outsmart even a physically strong opponent. In the ancient Indian collection of fables called Panchatantra, there is a story of how a rabbit tricks a lion into jumping into a well. Our brains may be small in size, but if we make good use of it, we can win over an opponent who may be bigger and mightier than us in physical strength.

Chota Muh Badi Baat

# 72

February 28, 2021

Today’s Hindi idiom (मुहावरा) is:

छोटा मुँह बड़ी बात

(Transliteration: Chota muh badi baat.)

Literal translation: Small mouth big talk.

Badi baat!

Figurative meaning: To butt-in and speak way beyond what is expected from someone of a particular age or social status or position in a corporate hierarchy.

Usage in a sample sentence:

मेरा छोटा मुंह बड़ी बात को क्षमा करें, बॉस, लेकिन मुझे लगता है कि आपको मंगल जैसे मृत ग्रह में निवेश नहीं करना चाहिए।

(Transliteration:  Mera chota muh badi baat ko shema kare, boss, lekin mujhe lagta hai ki aapko mangal jaise mruth grih mein nivesh nahin karna chahiye.)

Translation:  Pardon (my small mouth big talk) my saying so, boss, but I think you must not invest in a dead planet like Mars.

Origins of the idiom: In human society, a person is expected to talk only according to what is expected of them. That expectation is based on the person’s perceived maturity (age), education, social status (caste, wealth), position on the corporate ladder, etc. However, the human mind cannot be put into any such compartments. It can come up with ideas anywhere at any time, irrespective of any such social restrictions. When such ideas are presented, society is quick to repress the idea by putting down the person and telling them that such big talk does not suit their small mouth.