Again, Wisdom through Aphorisms!
Culture 101: Unpacking Local Sayings.
Literal Saying: Elephant when walks, a thousand dogs bark.
When an elephant walks, dogs bark.
Meaning: This saying illustrates that when dogs bark at something as majestic and powerful as an elephant, the elephant simply walks on without taking any notice. It remains unaffected regardless of how much the dogs bark. Although I could not trace the exact source, it is a common saying in many languages. A similar proverb found in Turkish, “dogs bark, but the caravan moves on,” lacks specific dating, making it difficult to determine whether the original source is Turkish or Indian.
Usage: This saying encourages a person to ignore the ill-opinions, vengeful, jealous, or biting remarks of others, especially when they achieve success or have ambitious goals. It implies that one should be strong like the elephant, which remains unaffected by the barking of puny dogs. The dogs may bark, but they cannot harm the elephant, which continues on its path without heeding them.
Vemana, the Philosopher-poet.
The next three verses are by Vemana, a famous 15th or 17th-century philosopher-poet of South India. Little is known about his life, including the exact period he lived in. He wrote simple four-line verses using idioms and local analogies infused with wisdom on life, yoga, and spirituality. Some of these verses now form part of the language curriculum for school children in the poet’s native states in South India.
C. P. Brown, an English official stationed in the South, became so interested in them that he chose to learn the local language and its meter verse style, to then publish an English translation of these verses in 1829 and a second edition in 1839.
Even if you mix Neem leaves with sweet milk, it remains bitter. So too, with people of ill-intent.
Meaning: An evil person or a person of bad character or ill-intentioned person will not change even in the company of good people. Neem1 tree leaves (used for medicinal purposes) are very bitter and their taste cannot be disguised.
Just like a fig may look good on the outside, but has worms inside, a coward will feign bravery while quivering inside.
Meaning: This is similar to the saying “all that glitters is not gold.” Another interpretation is that a person may seem good on the outside but harbor bad intentions. So, be careful who you befriend. [The fruit referred to is the Indian fig.]
A fish is caught when it seeks the dangling bait. Thus, greed causes a person to come undone.
Meaning: This verse highlights that a greedy person may become unwise and cross ethical boundaries in their quest for riches, just as a fish gets caught while chasing the bait.
Finally, a parable from an 18th-century saint that also involves fish.
Parable: When fish are caught in a net, many struggle to get out, but when they fail, they stay unmoving and stop trying. However, there are a few that never give up on becoming free. They keep trying, jumping continuously, seeking a way out. By chance, when the fisherman opens his net, they immediately jump out back into the sea.
Meaning: This is intended for the spiritually minded: Great souls escape the net of worldliness by never ceasing to strive for freedom, no matter how long it takes. In contrast, other souls remain engrossed in the sensory plane and become complacent, at the mercy of life’s vicissitudes, making no effort to break free and seek their inner true Self.
Do you like this selection? Have others you wish to share?
Previous Posts in this Series
Neem trees are commonly found and native to India.
One of my favorites: “You can’t cover the world in leather, but you can wear shoes.”
Indian fig Ficus, many other varieties. Edible fig relies on a moth to fertilize and produce fruit. Neem leaves use medicinally and to protect plants from insect damage. Each aphorism takes the reader to many more metaphorical places. Lessons of life. Wisdom of ages relevant today and tomorrow.