BPSC Mains Essay paper consists of 3 sections for 100 marks each where the candidate has to write an essay from each section.
Section III consistes of Bihali Idoms and proverbs
Sesitive content
Please note that some of these idoms and proverbs are based on complex history of society and can be caste-based, religion-based, stereotypical or outright offensive. BPSC is highly unlikely to ask a prejudiced topic, however they are collected on this page for educational purpose only.
Social Behaviour, Family & Community
- अकेले मियाँ रोवें की कबर खानें।
Explanation: Literally: “Will the lone husband cry or dig the grave?” - अपनी गली में त एगो कुत्ता शेर होला। / अपनी दुआरे, कुतवो बरिआरे।
Explanation: “Even a local dog is a lion in its own lane.” People feel confident or brave in their own familiar environment. Also speaks to local prestige and overestimation of local status. - अपनी दही के केहु खट नाहीं कहेला।
Explanation: “No one calls their own curd sour.” People are biased in favor of their own possessions or family—subjective attachment and defensiveness of one’s possessions/children/work. - आपन इज्जत अपनी हाथे में हअ।
Explanation: “Your honor is in your own hands.” Self-responsibility for dignity and reputation; emphasizes individual agency and ethics. - घर में दिया बारी के, मंदिर में दिया बारल जाला।
Explanation: “Light the lamp at home before the temple.” Priority to one’s immediate duties and responsibilities before grand gestures. Means: take care of basic responsibilities first. - बिनु घरनी, घर भूत के डेरा। / बिनु घरनी, घर भूत के डेरा।
Explanation: “Without a woman, a house feels like a ghost’s abode.” Cultural recognition of women’s central role in making a home functional and meaningful. - हम चराईं दिल्ली, हमरा के चरावे घर के बिल्ली।
Explanation: “We fooled Delhi, but the house cat is trying to fool me” - बेटा अउरी लोटा बाहर चमकेला।
Explanation: “A son and a pot shine only outside.” External appearance vs internal reality: honor is often visible only in public. Commonly used to say children gain honor outside the home. - घटिया के चीज के गाँव में बढ़-चढ़ के बतावला (उखड़े बार नाहीं अउरी बरियार खाँव नाव)।
Explanation: People often boast or claim importance despite little substance—“mud-showing” or hollow swagger..
Category B — Morality, Ethics & Hypocrisy
- आन्हर कुकुर बतासे भोंके।
Explanation: “A blind dog barks even at a breeze” — people raise alarms or criticize without knowledge. It pinpoints loud, ignorant criticism. - घाट-घाट का पानी पी के होखल बड़का संत.
Explanation: Those who experice water of multiple cities they aquire sainthood - साँच के आँच नाहीं लागेला।
Explanation: “Truth does not get harmed by fire.” Truth endures; a proverb about moral courage and ultimate vindication. - चाल करेले सिधरिया अउरी रोहुआ की सीरे बितेला (गलती कोई और, पकड़ा कोई और)।
Explanation: Someone makes the move but someone else bears the cost—scapegoating and injustice. - कुकुरे के पोंछी केतनो घी लगाव उ टेड़े के टेड़े रही।
Explanation: “No matter how much ghee you apply to a dog’s tail, it will remain crooked.” Nature doesn’t change; inherent traits persist. - सूप त सूप चलनियो हँसे जवने में छपन गो छेद।
Explanation: “those with more holes laugh at others with hole.” - साँचे कहले साथ छुटेला।
Explanation: “If you speak the truth, you lose friends.” Truth-telling can isolate one; social cost of honesty.
Category C — Governance, Justice & Leadership
- घोड़ा की पिछाड़ी अउरी हाकिम की अगाड़ी कबो नाहीं जाए के चाहीं।
Explanation: “Never walk behind a horse nor ahead of an official.” Respect hierarchies and avoid challenging positions that bring danger or awkwardness. It also captures the need to be mindful of authority. - हाथी चले बाजार, कुकुर भौंके हजार।
Explanation: “When an elephant goes to market, thousands of dogs bark.” Focus on the serious work rather than noisy critics. Leaders should remain focused. - लात के देवता बाती से ना माने। / लाती का देवता / लात के देवता बाती से नाहीं मानलें।
Explanation: “A deity of kicks (force) won’t be persuaded by words” — sometimes force or strong action is the only thing that works. This proverb is used to justify strong measures when persuasion fails. - कहला से धोबी गदहा पर ना चढ़े।
Explanation: “You can’t make a washer sit on a donkey by telling him.” Some people act only by their own will, not by persuasion. - बनले के साथी सब केहू ह अउरी बिगड़ले के केहू ना।
Explanation: “When one prospers, many friends; when one falls, nobody stays.” Commentary on fair-weather friends and the fickleness of social support. - करब केतनो लाखी उपाई, बिधि के लिखल बाँव न जाई।
Explanation: “No matter how many remedies you try, what is ordained by fate will happen.” Folk belief in destiny. - बाबन बुधि (बाभन बुधी).
Explanation: “Brahmin wit” — implying cleverness or cunning tied to learned classes. Sometimes used ironically to denote slyness. - सब धन बाईसे पसेरी.
Explanation: “All wealth is equal” — final equality or satire on uniformity among corrupt.
Category D — Agrarian Wisdom, Seasons & Work
- आगे के खेती आगे-आगे, पछिला खेती भागे जागे / आगे के खेती आगे-आगे, पीछे के खेती भागे जागे।
Explanation: Planting at the correct time ensures good results; late or untimely cultivation depends on luck. Agricultural proverb about timing and seasons. - खेत खाय गदहा, मारल जाय जोलहा.
Explanation: “The donkey eats the field, the peasant gets punished.” Farm laborers/servants causing damage while the owner suffers. More generally, injustice in which the wrong person is penalized. - खेत, बेटी, गाभिन गाय — जे ना देखे ओकर जाय।
Explanation: “Fields, daughters, and pregnant cows need supervision or they go astray.” Emphasizes need for watchfulness on valuable resources. - धन के बढ़ल अछा हS, मन के बढ़ल नाहीं।
Explanation: “Increase in money is good, but increase in mind (ego) is not.” Material growth is fine but moral/ethical growth is vital.
Essay tip: Use in balanced development essays—economic growth must be matched by ethical maturity and social responsibility. - धान गिरे बढ़ भाग, गेहूँ गिरे दुरभाग।
Explanation: “If paddy falls, it means a good yield; if wheat falls, it means a bad yield.” Agricultural observation about crop behavior and implications. - खेतियार गइने घर दाएँ-बाएँ हर।
Explanation: When the worker/owner leaves, others slack off. Indicates tendency for shirking in absence of supervision. - खड़ी खेती, गाभिन गाय — तब जान जब मुँह में जाय।
Explanation: One can’t trust a crop/pregnant cow until harvest/birth is realized — uncertainty persists. Folk caution about premature optimism. - धन के बढ़ल अच्छा ह, मन के बढ़ल नाहीं।
Explanation: Money growth is fine but ego/inflation of mind is not. (Reprise) - गइल भैंस पानी में।
Explanation: “Loss occurred” — a local shorthand for damage or loss. - माघ के टूटल मरद अउरी भादो के टूटल बरध कबो नाहीं जुटेलें।
Explanation: (Seasonal-health observation) Men broken in Magh, bulls in Bhadon—once health is lost in certain seasons it doesn’t return. Folk observation about seasonal vulnerability. - नव नगद ना तेरह उधार.
Explanation: “If no new cash, take thirteen on credit” — speaks to reciprocity and informal credit norms. - गाइ बाँधी के राखल जाले साड़ नाहीं।
Explanation: “A cow is tied, a bull isn’t” — suggesting greater control over - गाइ ओसर अउरी भैंस दोसर।
Explanation: “A cow at first calving and the buffalo at second are best” — empirical livestock wisdom. - मुरुगा ना रही त बिहाने नाहीं होई
Explanation: “If rooster doesn’t crow, doesnt mean morning won’t come” —
Category E — Folly, Greed & Waste
- नव के लकड़ी, नब्बे खरच. / नौ के लकड़ी, नब्बे खर्च।
Explanation: “New wood costs nine, (contradiction) ninety are spent.” Sign of wasteful expenditure on the new, foolish spending. - नवकि में नव के पुरनकी में ठाढ़े — नये-नये को इज्जत देना।
Explanation: Newcomers get respect—people often flatter novelty. - एक हाथ के ककरी अउरी नौ हाथ के बिआ।
Explanation: Tall tales or exaggeration; making small matters sound huge. - करजा के खाइल अउरी पुअरा के तापल बराबरे हS.
Explanation: “Eating on credit and warming straw are equivalent” — debt-driven consumption is as futile as warming straw. Advises against unnecessary debt. - लाद दऽ लदवा दऽ, घरे ले पहुँचवा दऽ.
Explanation: “Load up and send it home” — greed, obsession with accumulation. - अक्किल गईल घास चरे
Explanation: Literally “wit gone grazing grass.” Means someone has lost the ability to think — acting mindlessly. - आखिर संख बाजल बाकिर बाबाजी के पदा के
Explanation: “The conch finally sounded, but only after great effort by the priest.” Too much effort needed - इस्क अउरी मुस्क छिपवले से नाहीं छीपेला (इश्क अउरी मुस्क)
Explanation: “Love and musk cannot be hidden” — certain truths will surface. - इहे छउड़ी इहे गाँव, पूछे छउड़ी कवन गाँव
Explanation: Pretending ignorance of your own place—feigning innocence. - उखड़े बार नाहीं अउरी बरियार खाँव नाव
Explanation: “can’t even uproot a hair but a brave name” — fake valor; appearance without substance. - काहे अंधरा के जगले अउरी का ओकरी सुतले
Explanation: “What difference between a blind person’s waking and sleeping?” — something pointless or ineffective. - का कहीं कुछ कही ना जाता अउरी कहले बिना रही ना जाता
Explanation: “One cannot remain silent nor keep saying things” — exasperation; situation intolerable. - केरा (केला), केकड़ा, बिछू, बाँस इ चारो की जमले नाश
Explanation: “These four will cause ruin” — traditional warning about certain combinations that bring trouble. - कानी बिना रहलो न जाये, कानी के देख के अंखियो पेराए
Explanation: “One cannot either see or live without seeing” - आपन पेट त सुअरियो पाली लेले।
Explanation: “Even a pig can feed its belly” — anyone can look after their own needs; no praise in self-preservation.
Essay tip: Use to critique self-centered policy behavior; emphasize solidarity and public-spiritedness. - आन की धन पर तीन टिकुली / आन की धन पर तेल बुकुवा / आन के दाना हींक लगाके खाना
Explanation: Series about living off others’ wealth and enjoying it without contribution. - नव नगद ना तेरह उधार
Explanation: If there is no new cash, buy on credit — informal credit norms and indebtedness.
Essay tip: Use for essays on rural indebtedness, microfinance pitfalls, and need for regulated credit. - अबर के मेहरारू गाँवभरी के भउजाई
Explanation: The weak woman becomes everyone’s mockery—social exploitation of vulnerable people. - मन मोरा चंचल, जिअरा उदास
Explanation: Restless mind and sad heart — human frailty and desire. - गइल जवानी फिर ना लौटी
Explanation: Youth irrecoverable — invest early.
Essay tip: Use to support spending on education, skilling and youth employment schemes. - साँपे के काटल रसियो देखी के डेराला
Explanation: “Once bitten, twice shy” style proverb — trauma affects future behaviour.. - मारे छोहन छाती फाटे अउरी आँसू के ठेकाने नाहीं
Explanation: Grappling with deep emotion—used to describe intense grief or feigned sorrow.
Category F — Fate, Luck & Human Condition
- भाग वाला के भूत हर जोतेला.
Explanation: “Fortune follows the lucky.” Good luck makes tasks easier—some people have persistent fortune. - कर्म फूटे त फटे बेवाय.
Explanation: “When fate is broken, even the rope will snap” — when misfortune is on someone, everything goes wrong. - गइल जवानी फिर ना लौटी, चाहें घी, मलीदा खा.
Explanation: “Youth gone never returns — eat ghee or crumbs.” A reflection on the irretrievability of youth/time, urging prudent use of one’s prime. - करिया बाभन गोर चमार।
Explanation: “Black Brahmin and fair-skinned cobbler” — pointing out absurd contradictions; used to mock hypocrisy or identity confusion. - ऊँची दुकान फिस्का पकवान — ऊँची दुकान फीका पकवान.
Explanation: Big show, poor substance. - अकला गईल घास चरे।
Explanation: “Intellect gone, grazing grass” — losing capacity to think/reflect; folly. - भूखे भजन ना होई गोपाला।
Explanation: Spiritual activity or productivity cannot happen on an empty stomach. Basic needs first. - रोजो कुँआ खोदS अउरी रोजो पानी पीअS।
Explanation: “Dig a well daily and drink daily” — live in present, don’t obsess about future possibilities. Advice on pragmatism. - रोग के जड़ खांसी।
Explanation: “Cough is the root of many illnesses.” Public-health wisdom about primary infections leading to bigger problems. - गइल माघ दिन उनतीस बाकी
Explanation: Time passes quickly—literal observation about months but basically “time flies.” - अभागा गइने ससुरारी अउरी उहवों माँड़े-भात।
Explanation: “The unlucky person goes to in-laws and gets bad food too” — total misfortune.. - भगवान के घर में देर बा, अंधेर नाहीं।
Explanation: “God’s house may be late but not dark” — justice delayed but not denied. - पहेले दिन पहुना, दूसरे दिन ठेहुना, तीसरे दिन केहुना
Explanation: Long stay at relatives reduces honor; hospitality norms are time-bound.
Category G — Practical Wisdom & Advice
- मन चंगा त कठवती में गंगा।
Explanation: “If the mind is pure, even a humble spot is like the Ganga.” Emphasizes inner purity over external trappings.
Essay tip: Use in moral education discussions—value ethics and internal reform in governance (culture of integrity rather than just laws). - खाली बाती से काम नाहीं चलेला।
Explanation: “Only talk doesn’t do work.” Practical action beats empty talk. - पेटवे सब कुछ करावेला.
Explanation: “Hunger makes one do anything.” Necessity drives actions that might be unsavory; the power of basic needs.
Essay tip: Use to emphasize anti-poverty measures—food security is foundational; without it, ethical choices disintegrate. - आखिर संख बाजल बाकिर बाबाजी के पदा के।
Explanation: “Finally the conch sounded but for the priest’s benefit” — work gets done but primarily for a specific person’s benefit. Suggests elite capture of collective action.
Essay tip: Use to highlight capture of public resources by elites; argue for community participation and transparency. - मईरे, मन मोरा बसे इयरवा के पास (example: मन मोरा चंचल) — variations about mind and feelings.
Explanation: Many proverbs describe the fickle, restless mind—indicating emotional states.
Essay tip: Use in essays about governance psychology: policymakers’ emotional biases affect decisions; emphasize behavioral insights to craft better policy. - काग के कहले कान लेगइल तs आपन कान टोवबs आकि कौआ की पीछे दउड़बs।
Explanation: On rumours: don’t chase the crow—verify reality not rumours.
Essay tip: Use to argue for evidence-based policymaking and against rumour-driven reactions (e.g., during pandemics). - कनवा के देखि के अँखियो फूटे अउरी कनवा बिना रहलो न जाए।
Explanation: Hating someone intensely yet being unable to live without them—complex social dependence.
Essay tip: Use to highlight social complexity in family ties and policy design that assumes simplicity. - नया-नया दुलहिन के नया-नया चाल।
Explanation: New bride’s new ways—early enthusiasm and novelty.
Essay tip: Use as metaphor for new policies or reforms and risk of novelty over substance; argue for consolidation. - कोरा में लइका अउरी गाँवभरी ढ़िढोरा।
Explanation: A child on the lap, the whole village makes a search — collective gossipy behavior. - हाथे में पैसा रहेला तब बुधियो काम करेले।
Explanation: When money is in hand, even the wise act—illustrates role of incentives.
Essay tip: Use as a lead-in to discuss financial incentives in public service delivery (e.g., conditional cash transfers). - दूधारू गाय के लातो सहल जाला।
Explanation: If a cow gives milk, its kicks are tolerated—people tolerate certain harms if there is benefit.
Essay tip: Use to analyze tolerance for corrupt officials if they deliver benefits; argue for balanced accountability. - अँखिये ना तs क्या बताइब (variants on blindness/ignorance proverbs)
Explanation: Many local proverbs emphasise the folly of ignorance.
Essay tip: Use to underline education and awareness as foundations of social progress. - एक बोलावे तेरह धावे.
Explanation: “Call once and thirteen come” — describes the urgency or greed of some (e.g., Brahmins described as eager for food/gifts).
Essay tip: Use to discuss clientelism—how patronage networks respond to benefits. - उधर न निकरब, इधर न निकरब (variants meaning “neither here nor there”)
Explanation: Being indecisive or stuck between options.
Essay tip: Use to argue for decisive policy and clear implementation frameworks. - निनहर के सारा बाटे (variants on helplessness of the unlucky)
Explanation: Many proverbs lament helplessness—something that goes beyond individual control.
Essay tip: Use to make a compassionate case for social safety nets. - काई दा तू फुर्र फुर्र (local jest variants)
Explanation: Jesting, mocking sayings exemplifying local humor.
Essay tip: Use as cultural flourish in essays to demonstrate living familiarity with local contexts—don’t overuse. - बीछी के मंतरिए ना जाने अउरी साँपे की बिल में हाथ डाले।
Explanation: “One who doesn’t know a scorpion’s charm sticks hand into a snake’s hole” — ignorance leading to danger.
Essay tip: Use in public awareness campaigns: emphasize importance of training, education, and risk communication. - नाईं चिन त नाया कीन।
Explanation: “If you don’t know it, buy new” — better new than counterfeit/unknown. Advocates caution in dealing with unknowns.
Essay tip: Use in consumer protection or procurement fairness essays—prefer authenticated goods/services. - मन मोरा बसे इयरवा के पास (emotional proverb reprise)
Explanation: Restless mind finds solace near friends—on human relationships.
Essay tip: Humanize an essay about public service motivation and mental health support systems for civil servants. - बईठले ले बेगारी भला
Explanation: “Better idle than beggared” — avoids extremes of idleness vs humiliation. Often suggests dignity.
Essay tip: Link to livelihood programs (MGNREGA) that preserve dignity of labor while preventing destitution. - नौ के लकड़ी, नब्बे खरच
Explanation: A proverb on irrational overspending. - खिचड़ी खात के नीक लागे अउरी बटुली माजत के पेट फाटे
Explanation: “Khichdi tastes good, but when you clean pots it’s tiring.” Enjoyment and the unseen effort. - खाली बाती — action required (short tag)
Explanation & tip: Use as a repeated refrain to press for results orientation in governance.
Category H — Irony, Mockery & Social Critique
- जेकर बनरिया उहे नचावे, दूसर नचावे त काटे धावे.
Explanation: “He who owns the instrument plays it; if others play, he cuts/punishes them.” Ownership allows control and abuse of power. - कुत्ता काटे अनजान के अउरी बनिया काटे पहचान के।
Explanation: “A dog bites the stranger; a merchant cheats the one he knows.” The familiar can exploit you more because of trust.
Essay tip: Use when discussing informal credit systems and the exploitation risk in patron–client relationships. - कफन में जेब ना, दफन में भेव.
Explanation: “No pocket in the shroud; in the grave one’s worth is different.” Death equalizes wealth — material wealth irrelevant in the end. - लाठी की मार भुला जाला लेकिन बाती के नाहीं।
Explanation: “One forgets a beating but not the sting of words.” Words cause deeper wounds than physical punishment. - साँपे के काटल रसियो देखी के डेराला.
Explanation: “One who was bitten by a snake fears to even look at a rope” — trauma consequences and risk aversion. - ए कुकुर तू काहें दूबर, दू घर के आवाजाई।
Explanation: “O dog, you are not useless, you belong to two houses” — people who belong nowhere. - ए जबाना में पइसवे भगवान बाs।
Explanation: “In this age money is God” — cynicism about materialism. - लाठी कपारे भेंट नाहीं अउरी बाप-बाप चिल्ला
Explanation: “If stick doesn’t work, the father shouts” — spectacle to compensate for lack of action.
Essay tip: Use to criticise showy enforcement that lacks substantive remedy. - बनला के सभे इयार, बिगड़ला के केहू ना
Explanation: “When successful many friends; when in trouble none.”
Essay tip: Use to discuss social capital dynamics and recommend community-based insurance.
Category I — Proverbs About Learning & Knowledge
- अंडा सिखावे बच्चा के, बच्चा करु चेंव-चेंव.
Explanation: Teaching the ignorant to teach the wise — the absurdity of misguided teaching.
Essay tip: Use to discuss poor teacher training or top-down initiatives that lack content competence. Argue for capacity building. - कोदो देके नइखीं पढ़ले।
Explanation: “No amount of small pay (millet) will make one read” — someone won’t learn just by little bait; also implies skill and interest matter.
Essay tip: Use to argue for meaningful incentives and quality of teaching rather than token stipends. - आधा माघे कंबर काँधे
Explanation: Half the month of Magh (mid-winter) the blanket is on the shoulder — seasonal notes. Means conditions change.
Essay tip: Use to discuss adaptation to seasonal vulnerabilities (health/energy policy). - अंडा सिखावे बच्चा के, ए बच्चा तू चेंव-चेंव करअ
Explanation: Teaching the ignorant to teach — absurdity of misguided instruction. (Reprise)
Essay tip: Useful case for education quality, not just access. - कोदो देके नइखीं पढ़ले
Explanation: “One wasn’t made literate by offering only millet” — material incentives alone don’t build skills.
Essay tip: Apply to conditional cash transfers vs. quality investments in schooling. - गुरु गुड़ रह गइलन, चेला चीनी हो गइले
Explanation: Disciples surpassing teachers (mentor loses relevance) — sometimes mentors get left behind.
Essay tip: Use in HR and capacity building: continuous training needed for all levels. - काठ के हड़िया चढ़े न दूजो बार
Explanation: “You can’t mount a wooden saddle twice” — one-time exploitability.
Essay tip: Use in resource exploitation context — sustainable use is one-time if abused.
Category J — Miscellaneous Practical Sayings
- ना चलनी में पानी आइ ना मूंजी के बरहा बराई।
Explanation: “Neither water will pass through the sieve nor will the pith of reed take shape” — impossible task.
Essay tip: Good to describe policy impossibilities; be realistic in promises. - पेट कबो नाहीं भरेला.
Explanation: “The stomach never gets full” — human greed and insatiability. - मन मोरा चंचल, जिअरा उदास.
Explanation: “My mind is restless, heart sad.” Emotional proverb about restlessness and longing.
Essay tip: Use as a humanizing line in personal-philosophical essays on public service motivation and stress. - आसमाने में थूकबS त मुँहवे पर आई।
Explanation: Doing something against nature will boomerang on you.
Essay tip: Use in ethics/anti-corruption—misdeeds return to harm the doer. - ओस के चटला से पिआस ना मिटे
Explanation: “Licking dew won’t quench thirst” — half measures won’t solve big problems.
Essay tip: Use to argue for scale in public investments. - ना खेले देइबी, खेलिए बिगाड़बी
Explanation: “If I don’t play, I won’t let others play — I’ll ruin the game” — obstructionist behavior.
Essay tip: Use to describe obstructionist politics; recommend institutional dispute-resolution. - कान में (कानी के कच्चा)
Explanation: Naïve, easily fooled person.
Essay tip: Use to push for financial literacy & consumer protection. - देही ना दासा गाड़ी तेलवासा
Explanation: “If body lacks beauty, still will dress with oil” — critique of vanity compensation.
Essay tip: Use for cultural critiques and consumer behaviour analysis. - रोजो कुँआ खोदS अउरी रोजो पानी पीअS (reprise)
Tip: Pragmatism vs speculation—policy focus on day-to-day solid progress.
Family, Gender & Social Norms (परिवार, लिंग और सामाजिक प्रथा)
- बिनु घरनी, घर भूत के डेरा। (reprise)
Explanation: House without woman is like a ghost-house — women central to a household’s life.
Essay tip: Use to highlight women’s invisible work and argue for policy recognition (care economy, unpaid work measurement). - आन की धन पर तेल बुकुआ।
Explanation: “Enjoying someone else’s wealth” — living off others’ resources with pleasure.
Essay tip: Use to discuss dependency and exploitative patterns (e.g., middlemen capturing smallholder gains) and recommend reforms to return value to producers. - गइयो हाँ अउरी भैंसियो हाँ।
Explanation: Saying for uncritical agreement—affirming both right and wrong. Points to thoughtless conformity.
Essay tip: Apply to conformity in governance: caution against yes-men culture; advocate for dissent and accountability. - बेटा के भुजा अउरी दमादे के जाउर।
Explanation: Son is offered simple favor (kurmura), son-in-law is given rich treat — shows favoritism to in-laws over sons in some contexts.
Essay tip: Use in essays on kinship dynamics and how social norms shape resource distribution in families. - भाई बहिन संबंध: जेकर बहिन अंदर ओकर भाई सिकन्दर।
Explanation: Brother enjoys freedom at sister’s house (close kin privilege).
Essay tip: Use when discussing kinship-led social support networks, and how they influence migration, care, and obligations. - घर फूटे जवार लूटे।
Explanation: When a house breaks (family quarrel), outsiders loot—internal discord invites external exploitation.
Essay tip: Use to stress the importance of social cohesion for community resilience and governance stability. - बुढ़वा भतार पर पाँची गो टिकुली।
Explanation: Old husband given five tikka — doing unnecessary ornaments/favors to an old spouse—implies misapplied efforts.
Essay tip: Use as an example that policies should match needs (age-appropriate benefits) rather than tradition-based allocations. - बेटी के बेटा कवने काम, खइहें इहँवा चेटइहें गाँव।
Explanation: Daughter’s son is of little use—he will eat here and go back to his village—comment on migration and patrilocal norms.
Essay tip: Use in gendered migration discussions; argue for policies that care for daughters and recognize the value they bring to natal households. - बाप ओझा अउरी माई डाइन
Explanation: Father as healer, mother as witch — paradoxical view of parents (ironic).
Essay tip: Use to examine contradictory folk beliefs about parental roles and the need for health literacy. - बेटा के भुजा अउरी दमादे के जाउर
Explanation: Preferential treatment to damad (in-law) vs own offspring — highlights complex family hierarchies.
Essay tip: Use when discussing kinship-based resource allocation and implications for social welfare. - बकरि के माई कबले खर जिउतिया मनाई
Explanation: “How long will a goat’s mother observe ritual?” – things will happen as meant; fatalism.
Essay tip: Use to reflect on fatalistic attitudes that deter proactive behaviour—policy implication: social-behaviour change communication. - बढ़ रहती बतिअवले अउरी छोट जाती लतिअवले
Explanation: Respectful speech works; violence works on the uncultured.
Essay tip: Promote soft skills in leadership; stress moral education. - बेटा अउरी लोटा बाहरे चमकेला
Explanation: The son shines outside — migration and remittance prestige.
Essay tip: Use in migration essays: remittances’ role in rural uplift and social mobility.
Category: Ethics, Hypocrisy & Character (नैतिकता, दोहरा मानक)
- साँच के आँच नाहीं लागेला। (reprise)
Explanation: Truth survives trials.
Essay tip: Use as a thesis sentence in an integrity-themed answer: sustained truth and institutional transparency. - जो गुड़ खाई उ कान छेदाई।
Explanation: “Who eats jaggery will have pierced ears” — ill deeds produce their own consequences (or guilty will suffer).
Essay tip: Use to show that illegal gains eventually exact a social/personal price—argument for strict enforcement. - घाट-घाट का पानी पी के होखल बड़का संत. (reprise)
Explanation: Hypocrisy of sanctimony with small gains — people claiming saintliness.
Essay tip: Use to critique moral posturing in public life. - काल्ह के गुन, कल का कहे? (local variants)
Explanation: Past deeds determine future standing—legacy matters.
Essay tip: Use to argue for ethical legacy in public policy: institutions built by prior actors influence current outcomes. - आपन इज्जत अपनी हाथे में हअ।
Explanation: Dignity is self-made; personal responsibility for reputation.
Essay tip: Good opening line for essays on ethics of public service — individuals must uphold integrity. - इजती इजते पर मरेला।
Explanation: “A respectable person dies for reputation” — people sacrifice a lot for honor.
Essay tip: Use to discuss social pressure & honor culture; relate to gender norms and rights. - इहे छउड़ी इहे गाँव — जानबूझ के अनजान बनना
Explanation: Pretending ignorance deliberately to evade responsibility.
Essay tip: Use to discuss bureaucratic evasion—procedural shirking; suggest citizen grievance platforms. - साँच के आँच नाहीं लागेला
Explanation: Truth withstands trials — recurring motif (useful as principle).
Essay tip: Tie to judicial independence & robust accountability mechanisms. - इडिल-मिडिल के छोड़ आस, धर खुरपा गढ़ घास।
Explanation: “If study doesn’t suit, pick a practical job” — practical vocational choice over useless persistence.
Essay tip: Use to stress vocational training, skill development and value of alternative education paths. - घाट-घाट का पानी पी के होखल बड़का संत
Explanation: One who takes advantage everywhere and pretends saintliness.
Essay tip: Use to critique performative virtue in public life; call for transparency. - जीअत पर छूँछ भात, मरले पर दूध-भात
Explanation: “Alive: plain food; dead: sweet porridge” — people are honored only after death.
Essay tip: Use for essays on posthumous honors, tokenism and need for meaningful support in lifetime (pensions, healthcare). - घीव के लड्डू, टेढो भला
Explanation: “A lumpy sweet is still good” — anything obtained is appreciated regardless of quality. Often used to justify accepting small favors.
Essay tip: Use to discuss patronage politics — small favors buy political loyalty; propose transparency in welfare. - घीव देख बाभन नरियात
Explanation: “At sight of ghee, a Brahmin shouts” — people exaggerate joy when their desire is met.
