gAdegaLu

maduve mADi nODu, mane katti nODu.

(Perform a wedding and see, build a house and see).

When worthwhile but difficult acts are done, it is gratifying in the end.

maduveyAgO gunDa endare nInE nanna henDathi anda.

(I said “Get married, Gunda”. He said :”then you are my wife.”)

This is a warning about fellows who latch on to well meaning people and abuse their help.

mADOdu durAchAra, mane munde brindAvana.

(What they do is evil but they have holy herbs in the front garden).

This is said of people whose outward behavior is impeccable but actions are despicable.

Having a little garden of the Thulasi plant in front of a house was considered a sign of piety and goodness.

manege benki biddAga bhavi tODidaru

(When the house caught fire they began digging a well).

Too little, too late.

mantrakkinta uguLe jasti

(There is more spit than the chant).

This is said of people whose actions do not match their claims.

mAtu ballavanige jagaLavilla, UTa ballavanige rOgavilla

(One who knows how to talk will have no fights, one who knows how to eat will have no sickness).

The meaning is obvious here.

mUrthi chikkadAdru kIrthi doDDadu

(Though the idol is small the fame is big).

This is a reference to self effacing people with accomplishments. Incidentally people with accomplishments are expected to be self effacing. If not, they may be termed arrogant.

navilannu nODi kembuta gari kedarisaitu

(Seeing the peacock, the rooster spread his wings).

Those who try to imitate people of talent and beauty, not having either of them, are ridiculed like this.

nAyi bogaLidare dEvalOka hALe?

(If the dog barks will it ruin the heaven?)

This is said of spiteful people who speak ill of others.

nAyi bAla Donku

(The tail of a dog is always crooked).

You cannot straighten some people whatever you do.

Odi Odi maruLAda kUchu bhaTTa

(The fellow became stupid by reading and reading).

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

ollada ganDanige mosaralli kallu

(The disagreeable husband finds stones in curds).

Faults are thick when the love is thin.

The wife who is loved by her husband is complimented for her cooking. When faults are found which are clearly untrue the marriage is truly on the rocks.

pApi samudra hokkrU moLakAludda nIru

(If a sinner enters the ocean the water only comes up to the knee).

This is said of those unlucky fellows for whom nothing goes well.

rAmeshwarakke hOdaru shanIshwarana kATa tappalilla.

Even after going to Rameshvaram (a holy place) the torture of Saturn did not stop.

This is said of people whose bad luck does not go away whatever they do.

Saturn is considered a bad sign in astrology bringing bad luck. A visit to holy places often counters the effect except for those unfortunate souls referred to in this proverb.

rOgi bayasiddu hAlu anna vaidya hELiddu hAlu anna.

(The patient wanted rice with milk and the doctor prescribed rice with milk).

This is what you say when things turn out fine under circumstances expected to be harsh.

A meal of rice with milk is a euphemism for getting what one wants.

sAvira suLLu heLi onDu maDuve mAdu

(Utter a thousand lies and perform a wedding).

A little deceit in the performance of good deeds is forgivable.

Arranging a wedding was considered a good deed worthy of praise in India. An old maid was a source of stigma for the family and one who came to the rescue by whatever means was considered a savior.

samsAra guTTu; vyAdhi raTTu

(Family matters should be kept secret; a disease should be brought to the open).

This is in a society where insurance companies are not watching. The reason to reveal ailments is with a hope that a cure may be found in the process. Laundering the dirty linen in public serves no purpose however.

sankaTa bandAga venkaTaramana

(Seeking the God when in sorrow).

This is said of those who have no true faith or belief but act out for convenience and benefits.

shiva pUje madhye karaDi biTTa hAge

(Like bringing a bear in the middle of a pUja).

This is said when bungling idiots intrude when they should not. NOTE: It was brought to my attention that the original version of the proverb is as follows:

shiva pUje madhye karaDige biTTa hAge

Lingayats wear a string around their body that has a small Linga, called KaraDige, tied to it.

The gAde says that the Shiva Puje cannot go on if you forget the karadige, not withstanding all else you may have done in preparation.

Over a period of time, the KaraDige has become KaraDi.

tumbida koDa tuLukuvudilla.

(The pot which is full does not splash).

This is said to contrast the unassuming good guys against the shallow showoffs.

unDeyEnO gunDA endare munDAsu mUvattu moLa anda.

(When asked “Did you eat, Gunda?” he said “the turban is thirty feet long).

This is said of people who do not get what is asked of them and go round in circles.

unDU hOda, konDU hOda

(He ate and took some too).

This is said of a guy who snatches the hand if a finger is offered.

UrigobbaLu padmAvati

(only one beauty for the village).

This is a put down of leaders of mediocre groups.