Wisdom in a Nutshell

Dr. Bicaji Ghanekar

IN each and every language there are many interesting proverbs. The proverbs are always related to people, geographical situations, traditions, costumes, religions, belief, superstitions and so on.

As Goans, we do not have to look far to find proverbs. Let us start with our mother tongue — Konkani or Marathi depending on one’s political leanings. There is no need to lose one’s temper over this issue. Those who consider Konkani as their mother tongue can treat Marathi as their aunty’s tongue and vice versa. There is no need for controversy as Marathi and Konkani are daughters of the same mother, Sanskrit.

One of the proverbs in Konkani I like the most is ‘Kama purto mama’ which means that people in general are good to you only when they have something to gain from the association. When their interest is fulfilled, they do not bother about you.

Another interesting proverb is ‘Char dis mainche char dis suneche’. This has to do with the ‘interaction’ between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law — with the man caught in the crossfire. It is all about the battle to dominate one another.

Proverbs have a deep meaning and the best thing about them is that they are short and sweet and have rhyme and rhythm. In Portuguese, there are two proverbs with more or less the same meaning. Quem foi para Portugal perdeu sua lugar and Que foi para madeira perdeu sua cadeira. In a nutshell, these proverbs mean that it is important to consolidate your position. It is easy to achieve success but difficult to sustain it.

There is a proverb in Konkani which goes, Don vhoddeani paim which refers to people who are afraid to take a stand on any issue. It is not possible to sail in two boats at one time. People who try to do this get into trouble and sometimes create a problem for others.

There is another proverb which goes Dev dita, devchar naddta. It refers to the tendency to crib about what one does not have instead of counting our blessings.

There is an interesting proverb which talks about the role genes and heredity play in our lives. The proverb, “Noddichem Kaddit Punn Boddichem Kaddum Nazo” means that 60 per cent of a child’s personality is influenced by the parents and the remaining 40 per cent is influenced by its surroundings.

There is a tale about how a robber fell in love with another robber and both of them got married. After some time they begot a child. It is said that as soon as it was born, the child tried to steal the nurse’s ring much to the dismay of the parents and the shock of all concerned.

from The Navhind Times, Panjim Goa
Feb 15, 2005