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# 80
March 11, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
कहीं की ईंट कहीं का रोड़ा, भानुमती ने कुनबा जोड़ा।
(Transliteration: Kahin ki eenth kahin ka roda, Bhanumati ne kunba joda.)
Literal translation: Bricks from somewhere, stones from somewhere: Bhanumati assembled a clan.
Figurative meaning: To mix and match unlikely things and somehow assemble something of value.
Usage in a sample sentence:
मैरी खिचड़ी बनाना चाहती थी लेकिन चावल कम था। खरीदने गई, तो दुकान में केवल गेहूं था, जो उसने खरीद लिया। उसने अपने पड़ोसी से ताज़ी हरी मिर्च माँगी, लेकिन उसे केवल सूखी लाल मिर्च ही मिली। इन चीज़ोंको मिलाकर वह किसी तरह खिचड़ी बना ली। उसने मुझे वो पुरानी कहावत याद दिलाई, “कहीं की ईंट, कहीं का रोड़ा, भानुमति ने कुनबा जोड़ा।”
Transliteration: Mary khichidi banana chahati thi lekin chawal kam tha. Kharidne gayi, toh dukan mein kewal gehun tha, jo ussne kharid liya. Ussne apne padosi se taazi hari mirch maangi, lekin usse kewal sookhi lal mirch hee mili. In cheezonko milakar woh kisi tarah khichidi bana li. Ussne mujhe wo purani kahavat yaad dilayi, “Kahin ki eenth kahin ka roda, Bhanumati ne kunba joda.”
Translation: Mary wanted to make khichdi but didn’t have sufficient rice. When she went to buy, there was only wheat in the shop, which she bought. She asked her neighbor for fresh green chillies, but she only got dry red chillies. By mixing these she somehow made the khichdi. She reminded me of the old saying, “From somewhere the bricks, somewhere the stones; Bhanumati assembled a clan.”
Origins of the proverb: Bhanumati is a character from Mahabharata. She was a princess forced into marrying the chief antagonist, Duryodhana, from whom she bore two children. She went through a lot of twists and turns in her family life, in her children’s family life and within her extended family; but in spite of all that, she managed to build and hold on to her family relationships. Not much is written about her in the Mahabharata, but somehow the proverb containing her name became very popular and continues to remain popular. I like the lyrical rhyming sound of this proverb.
# 76
March 7, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
भागते भूत की लंगोटी ही सही।
(Transliteration: Bhaagte bhoot ki langoti hi sahi.)
Literal translation: The escaping ghost’s loincloth would do.
Figurative meaning: Something is better than nothing. (If the ghost is running too fast for you to catch him, grab his loincloth at least.)
Usage in a sample sentence:
जैसे ही उसने मुझे देखा, वह अपना बैग पीछे छोड़कर भाग गया। मैंने उसका लैपटॉप बैग ले लिया। इससे बहुत अधिक उसने मुझसे उधार लिया है; लेकिन ठीक है, भागते भूत की लंगोटी ही सही।
(Transliteration: Jaise hi ussne mujhe dekha, woh apna bag peeche chhodkar bhaag gaya. Maine usska laptop bag le liya. Iss-se bahut adhik ussne mujhse udhaar liya hai; lekin ttheek hai, bhaagte bhoot ki langoti hi sahi.)
Translation: As soon as he saw me, he ran away leaving his bag behind. I took his laptop bag. He has borrowed much from me; but okay, (the escaping ghost’s loincloth will do) something is better than nothing.
Origins of the proverb: Someone who has borrowed money from you and is trying to avoid you becomes a difficult person to catch or even see: they become ghost-like. We can imagine a ghost that is fleeing form us at high speed with his loincloth trailing behind him. [Langoti is a traditional ancient loincloth (underwear from the vedic times, and sometimes the only piece of clothing worn by some meditating Indian hermits) made of a small triangular piece of cotton cloth with strings attached to two of its corners and a flat strip attached to its third corner. The string is tied around the waist with the triangle covering the backside. The flat strip is pulled forward between the legs, lifted up and passed under the string tied to the waist and the flat strip is folded back and pulled back between the legs (covering the front private parts) and its end tucked-in between the triangle and the waist at the back.] Sometimes, when a person is running, the langoti comes lose and the flat strip keeps flying behind him like a kite’s tail. This proverb tells you that if you can’t catch the person, at least grab his langoti for whatever that is worth! Checkout how and why to wear a langoti here.
# 75
March 6, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
हमारी बिल्ली हमीं से म्याऊँ।
(Transliteration: Hamari billi humhi se meow.)
Literal translation: My cat, meowing at me.)
Figurative meaning: To bite the hand that feeds. Student applying on the teacher the same tricks the teacher had taught. (Like the Frankenstein monster attacking its own creator.)
Usage in a sample sentence:
मैंने उसे उसके संवैधानिक अधिकारों के बारे में अवगत कराया और अब वह मुझ पर ही मुकदमा चला रहा है। ऐसा लग रहा है, हमारी बिल्ली हमीं से म्याऊँ।
(Transliteration: Maine usse usske samvaidhanik adhikaron ke baare mein avgat karaya aur ab woh mujh par hi mukadma chala raha hai. Aisa lag raha hai, hamari billi humhi se meow.)
Translation: I made him aware of his constitutional rights and now he is suing me. It feels like my own cat is meowing at me.
Origins of the proverb: When we acquire a pet kitten, we tend to take good care of it and give it food and shelter. In return, we expect some love and faithfulness from the kitten. However, on becoming a full-grown cat, if it growls back at us, we may be shocked because we would have least expected that. We usually do not expect our own pet cat to growl at us. A domestic cat cannot growl like a lion or like other wild cats in the jungle; it makes a sound which is closer to a “meow.” In real life, when humans face similar unexpected situations, this proverb helps to understand that situation by equating it to the case of our own cat saying “meow” to us.
# 68
February 15, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
तू डाल-डाल मैं पात-पात।
(Transliteration: Tu daal-daal mai paat-paat.)
Literal translation: You branch-branch, I leaf-leaf. (If you are like the branches, I am like the leaves.)
Figurative meaning: You may be smart, but I am smarter. (You may know a few tricks, but I know many more tricks than you know.)
Usage in a sample sentence:
हमारी साइबर पुलिस अच्छी तरह से प्रशिक्षित हैं, लेकिन साइबर अपराधी उनके साथ ‘तू डाल-डाल मैं पात-पात’ खेल रहे हैं, और पुलिस से एक कदम आगे हैं।
(Transliteration: Hamari cyber police achchi tarah se prashikshit hain, lekin cyber apradhi unke sath ‘tu daal-daal main paat-paat’ khel rahe hain, aur police se ek kadam aage hain.)
Translation: Our cyber cops are well trained, but cyber criminals are playing ‘tu daal-daal main paat-paat’ with them, and are one step ahead of the police.
Origins of the proverb: Daal in Hindi means a branch and paat means patta or a leaf. In a tree, there are many branches, but the number of leaves is far more than the branches. This comparison is used in the above proverb to convey the figurative meaning that the number of tricks you know are few in comparison to what I know (as are the branches of a tree in comparison to its leaves). In other words, “Don’t think you are smart. I am many more times smarter than you.”
# 66
February 12, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
घर की मुर्गी दाल बराबर।
Transliteration: Ghar ki murgi dal barabar.
Literal translation: Home-made chicken is akin to dal.
Figurative meaning: A good thing, or something special (like a chicken dish) is considered to be ordinary (like dal) just because it was made at home. (Similar to the English saying that a prophet is without honor in his hometown.)
Usage in a sample sentence:
भारत में आयातित सामान का बहुत मांग हैं क्योंकि भारतीयों का मानना है कि भारत में बनी चीजें, विदेशों में बनी चीजें जितनी अच्छी नहीं हैं। जैसे वो पुरानी कहावत हैं, घर की मुर्गी दाल बरबार।
(Transliteration: Bharat mein aayatit saman ka bahut maang hain kyunki bharatiyon ka man-na hai ki bharat mein bani cheezen videshon mein bani cheezen jitni achchi nahin hain. Jaise wo purani kahawat hain, ghar ki murgi dal barabar.)
Translation: Imported goods are in great demand in India because Indians believe that things made in India are not as good as those made abroad. As the old saying goes, homemade chicken is akin to dal.
Origins of the proverb: It is human nature to imagine that the grass is greener on the other side of the river. We rarely value the things we already own. We covet the things that we do not have. In ancient India, chicken was a luxury and was served only on rare occasions. Dal and roti were more common and considered ordinary food to be had daily. Even so, the occasional homemade chicken curry was not considered praise worthy. It was given as much importance as the ordinary dal. When we eat at a restaurant, we are forced to pay a higher price for the chicken as compared to the dal; but at home, the dal and the chicken are both eaten without much thought given to their values. This situation is used in this proverb to convey the general idea of human nature to not value things at home or in our possession.
64
February 10, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
इधर कुआँ, उधर खाई।
(Transliteration: Idhar kua, udhar khaee.)
Literal translation: Here a well, there an abyss.
Figurative meaning: To be caught in a difficult situation where the only two options available are both equally bad and equally undesirable. (This is similar to the English idiom “To be caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.”)
Usage in a sample sentence:
मैं इंजेक्शन से बचना चाहता था, इसलिए मैंने डॉक्टर से इलाज के अन्य तरीके पूछे। उन्होंने सर्जरी का सुझाव दिया। मैं एक अजीब मुश्किल में फंस गया: इधर कुआँ, उधर खाई।
(Transliteration: Maen injection se bachna chahata tha, isliye maine doctor se ilaj ke anya tareeke pooche. Unhone surgery ka sujhaav diya. Maen ek ajeeb mushkil mey phass gaya: idhar kua, udhar khaee.)
Translation: I wanted to escape from the injection, so I asked the doctor for other ways of treatment. He suggested surgery. I was stuck in a strange difficulty: here a well, there an abyss.”
Origins of the proverb: A well is deep and dark and has water in it. One wouldn’t want to fall into it. An abyss is a bottomless pit and one wouldn’t wish to fall into that either. If one is asked to choose one of the two, it becomes a difficult choice. Both the options are equally bad and undesirable. This metaphor is used to allude to similar difficult choices in life that one faces sometimes. To drive home the point in a memorable and colorful manner, one says in Hindi, that one is caught between a well here and an abyss there.
60
February 6, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
ऐंठन ना गई, रस्सी जल गई।
(Transliteration: Ainthan na gayi, rassi jal gayi.)
Literal translation: The rope is burnt, but the braids are intact.
Figurative meaning: To remain stubbornly arrogant even after a humiliating defeat.
Usage in a sample sentence:
एक युद्ध में पोरस को हराने के बाद, सिकंदर उनसे पूछे कि उनके साथ कैसा व्यवहार कीया जाय। पोरस ने कहा “एक राजा की तराह।” सिकंदर मुस्कुराये और कहे, “ऐंठन ना गई, रस्सी जल गई।”
(Transliteration: Ek yudh mein Porus ko harane ke baad, Sikander unse pooche ki unke saath kaisa vyavhaar kiya jaai. Porus ne kaha, “Ek raja ki tarah.” Sikander muskuraye aur kahe, “Ainthan na gayi, rassi jal gayi.”
Translation: After defeating Porus in a battle, Alexander asked him how he would like to be dealt with. Porus replied, “Like a king.” Alexander smiled and said, “The braids are intact, though the rope is burnt.”
Origins of the proverb: After a rope is completely burnt, if we do not disturb it, we can still see that the braids are intact. The rope is no longer a rope for all practical purposes. It is just a pile of ash that still retains its looks of twisted or braided fibers. If you touch it, it will crumble into a grey-black powder. However, the rope does not give up its braided pattern even after it is burnt. This fact has been used figuratively in this proverb to allude to the arrogance of someone who has been defeated, but who still is not willing to give up his attitude of arrogance.
#59
February 4, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
ना नौ मन तेल होगा ना राधा नाचेगी।
(Transliteration: Na nau mann tael hoga, na Radha naachegi.)
Literal translation: Neither will there be nine maund oil, nor will Radha dance.
Figurative meaning: An event will not occur or a deal will not be concluded (because the terms and prerequisite conditions will not be fulfilled).
Usage in a sample sentence:
आप चितां ना करें। अदालत में आप की ही जीत होगी। आरोपी के पास वकील करने का भी कैश नही है। ना नौ मन तेल होगा ना राधा नाचेगी।
(Transliteration: Aap chinta na karein. Adalat mein aap ki hi jeet hogi. Aaropi ke paas vakil karne ka bhi cash nahi hai. Na nau mann tael hoga, na Radha naachegi.)
Translation: Don’t worry. You will win in court. The accused doesn’t even have the cash to arrange a lawyer. Neither will there be nine maund oil nor will Radha dance.
Origins of the proverb: This proverb is quite old and nowhere could I find a confirmation of its origin. A ‘mann’ is a measure of weight from ancient India, which approximates 35 kgs. ‘Maund’ is probably the anglicized version of mann. Some people believe that in the ancient times, in the king’s court, the chandeliers were lit with oil lamps. In a large courtroom, where dances were staged, there were many chandeliers, and to light them they required a huge amount of oil (at least 9 mann or over 300 kgs). Radha was a common name for dancers in those days. (I have heard people say that ‘Radha’ was a generic name for male dancers of a particular tribe who earned their living by dancing in the cities.) When there was not enough oil to light the lamps, the dance was called off and Radha would not have to dance. These stories of origin cannot be authenticated now because they are several centuries old and there seems to be no written record expounding these traditions.
#58
February 2, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
एक अनार, सौ बीमार!
(Transliteration: Ek anaar, sau bimaar!)
Literal translation: Pomegranate one, and a hundred sick!
Figurative meaning: Supplies limited, but demands unlimited. Having to treat hundreds of people with one dose of medicine.
Usage in a sample sentence:
हमारे कार्यालय में प्रत्येक नौकरी रिक्ति के लिए सैकड़ों उपयुक्त उम्मीदवार आवेदन करते हैं। यह मुझे एक हिंदी कहावत की याद दिलाता है “एक अनार, सौ बिमार।”
Transliteration: Hamare karyaalay mein pratiaek naukri rikti ke liye saekadon upyukth ummidwaar aavedan karte hain. Yeh mujhe ek Hindi kahawat ki yaad dilaata hai, “Ek anar, sau bimar.”
Translation: For every job vacancy in our office, there are hundreds of suitable candidates applying. It reminds me of a Hindi proverb “Ek anar, sau bimar.”
Origins of the proverb: In India, since the ancient times, people have discovered and acknowledge the medicinal benefits of Pomegranate. It is said to be helpful in preventing many diseases and promoting good health. However, for every Pomegranate, usually there are more than one person who claim to be sick and are desirous of the fruit. There aren’t enough Pomegranates to satisfy everyone.
January 22, 2021
Today’s Hindi proverb (कहावत) is:
उल्टा चोर कोतवाल को डांटे।
(Transliteration: Ulta chor kotwal ko dante.)
Literal translation: Contrarily, the thief scolds the watchman.
Figurative meaning: To not acknowledge your own bad deeds (or shortcomings) but instead to find fault with the person trying to curb or to check you.
Usage in a sample sentence:
मुख्य न्यायाधीश ने राष्ट्रपति को कुछ असंवैधानिक करने से रोकने की कोशिश की, लेकिन उल्टा राष्ट्रपति ने मुख्य न्यायाधीश को ही नौकरी से निकाल दिया। एक पुराना हिन्दि कहावत याद आया: “उल्टा चोर कोतवाल को डांटे।”
(Transliteration: Mukhya nyayadeesh ne rashtrapati ko kuch asanvaidhanik karne se rokne ki koshish ki, lekin ulta rashtrapati ne mukhya nyayadeesh ko hi naukri se nikaal diya. Ek purana Hindi kahavat yaad aaya: “Ulta chor kotwal ko dante.”)
Translation: The Chief Justice tried to stop the President from doing something unconstitutional, but on the contrary, the President fired the Chief Justice. This reminded me of an old Hindi saying “Ulta chor kotwal ko dante.”
Origins of the proverb: We come across many such ironic situations in our lives. A thief goes to steal, and after he has done his stealing, when he finds the watchman sleeping on duty, the thief scolds the watchman for not doing his job well. Or, the same thief comes back later to accuse the watchman of stealing. This proverb is closely related to one of the previous proverbs: “Chori aur seena jori.”
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