There are two interesting proverbs in Kannada and I feel the two are opposites and present alternate wisdom for the same situation. Situation: what is the right time to start a work?
First: yudda kaale shastraabhyasa – probably borrowed from Sanskrit, it means: “practicing the use of weapons at the time of war”. This proverb is directed at people who do the work at the last minute or when it is too late. I’ve seen this proverb being routinely used when the govt officials take up tasks in the last minute. For example, during dasara time in Mysore, the repair and painting works would be taken up one or two days before the inauguration of dasara and I have seen this headline accompanying such a photo.
Second: koosu huttoku munche kulaavi tandange – translates to: even before the baby was born, someone bought the clothes for the baby. This proverb takes a dig at people who do things before something matures or is necessary. Prima facie, it looks like this proverb was made by a cynic or a pessimist. But then, think deeper, this applies to situations where we start doing things even before something is matured. For example, I start a work even before the person who commissioned it has paid for it. Or a situation where I’ve not got an approval and I’ve started the work. It also shows a situation where we are overconfident or suffer due to non approval.
Balance: so which proverb is right? Both are right. We shouldn’t do the things at the last minute. But at the same time, we should start work only after it is approved.
