Sar Salamat Toh Pagadi Hazaar

# 100

April 1, 2021

Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:

सर सलामत तो पगड़ी हज़ार

No Head No Turban

(Transliteration: Sar salamat toh pagadi hazaar.)

Literal translation: If the head is intact, there can be a thousand turbans.

Figurative meaning: In a life-and-death situation, it is better to sacrifice a little pride and save your life. (You live to fight another day.)

Usage in a sample sentence:
टॉम ने वेह तीन को देखा और समझ लिया कि उनको मारना मुश्किल है; वह यह सोचते हुए घटनास्थल से भागा कि सर सलामत तो पगड़ी हजार।

(Transliteration: Tom ne weh teen ko dekha aur samajh liya ki unko maarna mushkil hai; woh yeh sochte huae ghatnashtal se bhaaga ki sar salamat toh pagadi hazaar.)

Translation: Tom saw the three and understood that it was difficult to beat them; he ran away from the scene, thinking that (if his head was intact, he could have a thousand turbans) if he survives today, he can live to fight another day.

Origins of the proverb: In India, a turban is a status symbol, traditionally worn by men who are wealthy, leaders, noble, and spiritual gurus. In a battle, sometimes the turban gets dislodged and there may not be enough time or opportunity to retrieve that turban (although, to be without a turban would feel less dignified). In such situations, this proverb advises people to let go of the turban and to save their ‘head’ from being chopped off. If you manage to escape with your head intact, you can have thousands of turbans to replace the lost one.