Understanding Proverbs

Several Indian proverbs express the rules of everyday life. They are common to the well-known philosophy. However, some of them express social and religious thoughts connected to Indian culture. Almost all the Indian proverbs contain references to the typical features of Indian life.

Several Indian proverbs refer to the honours paid to great rivers. We learn from one that, “all the stones of the Narmada are Gods.” If we are extremely fortunate, it is said that “we have bathed in the Ganges,” or that “the Ganges flows into our house.”

There are many proverbs referring to the restrictions of caste. The common caste rule against receiving food or drink from the member of a lower caste is showed by a proverb that says, “First to drink the water, and then to ask the caste, is like giving your daughter away and then inquiring about the family.” In both cases, if a mistake is made, the evil is without remedy.

There are many superstitious proverbs warning us against certain actions. Some people assume that it is unlucky to wear new dress on Monday, Friday not favourable for a haircut while some think that Saturday is good for purchasing new things.

A large number of proverbs refer to social customs and the inner preparations of Hindu household. The custom of the maternal uncle bringing the bridegroom to the place of marriage, explains how “A squinting uncle is better than no uncle” comes to be the equivalent for “Half a loaf is better than no bread.”

Several proverbs illustrate the domination of the young bride in her new home to the mother-in-law, who often uses her power autocratically. “Get up daughter-in-law and take rest. Let me spin and you grind the corn.” This piece of advice shows that the daughter-in-law has more share of the work.

“Anybody else but the mother will pierce the ear,” is an expression of the tenderness of mother’s love. A proverb, “You must eat this sugar and have your ears bored,” shows how sweetmeats have to be given to persuade a child to perform required action.

However, there are several more proverbs illustrating Indian manners and customs. They are age-old proverbs with deep hidden meanings. Thus, a proverb is the fruit of wisdom of our ancestors. We must not take them too lightly. They help us in learning valuable lesson of life.