Post No. 13,741
Date uploaded in London – 3 October 2024
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No one in the world has shown any sympathy to asses or donkeys. They treated the animals as dust. They were considered the lowest in the animal kingdom. They were shown as stupid and lazy. Though human beings treated the dogs the same way, they thanked them at least one or two times for their faithfulness. But donkeys worked harder and yet received only bricks and not bouquets.
Europeans went to the lowest level and asked us to beat them along with women!
A woman, an ass and a walnut tree, the more you beat them, the better they will be. This proverb is in other European languages as well (see page 169, A comparative book of Proverbs, Jerzy Gluski, NY, 1971). But neither Shakespeare nor Hindus asked anyone to beat the donkeys or women.
Shakespeare used only ass but with different meaning. In one play he used ass for working hard and in another play he used it as a rude word (buttocks, backside). In other places as low class animals
In Tamil they were used in the same way. It carried very heavy loads of goods along the forest routes. Merchants followed them in carts. Like King Kharavela of Odisah, Pandya king also ploughed the devastated lands of enemies with the donkeys and sowed sesame seeds and horse gram. It is an insult to the defeated king. And we see donkey curses in the inscriptions as well.
There are lot of Tamil proverbs on donkeys but very few verses. In Sanskrit subhasitas (golden sayings) I came across at least 8 verses.
Let us look at Shakespeare first ,
“I Find the Ass in Compound with the Major Part of Your Syllables” …Coriolanus
Act 2, Scene 1
Here Shakespeare meant buttocks to backside. Even today it is used as a slang.
In Midsummer Night’s Dream , he says
BOTTOM
Nothing, good monsieur, but to help Cavalery Cobweb to
scratch. I must to the barber’s, monsieur, for methinks
I am marvelous hairy about the face. And I am such a
tender ass, if my hair do but tickle me, I must scratch.
TITANIA
[Waking] My Oberon, what visions have I seen!
Methought I was enamored of an ass.
—–A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Act 4, Scene 1
And then
DOGBERRY
74. suspect: malapropism for “respect.” 74 Dost thou not suspect my place? dost thou not
75-76. O that he were here to write me down an ass!: —Dogberry wishes that the Sexton had been there to record, in writing, that Conrade called him an ass, so that Conrade would be sure to be punished for that offense. 75 suspect my years? O that he were here to write me
76 down an ass! But, masters, remember that I am an
77 ass; though it be not written down, yet forget not
78 that I am an ass. No, thou villain, thou art full of
79. piety: malapropism for “impiety.”
79 piety, as shall be proved upon thee by good witness.
80 I am a wise fellow, and, which is more, an officer,
81 and, which is more, a householder, and, which is
82. as pretty a piece of flesh: i.e., as fine a mortal man.
83. go to: —This is an expression of scorn, like current expressions such as “go to hell” or “get out of here.” 84-85. a fellow that hath had losses: —Dogberry thinks he should be respected because he has known hardship. 86. handsome: fitting, impressive. 82 more, as pretty a piece of flesh as any is in
83 Messina, and one that knows the law, go to; and a
84 rich fellow enough, go to; and a fellow that hath
85 had losses, and one that hath two gowns and every
86 thing handsome about him. Bring him away. O that
87 I had been writ down an ass!
Much Ado About Nothing
Act 4, Scene 2
Here Ass meant a hardworking one.
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Panchatantra Verses
Now we can compare them with Tamil proverbs and Panchatantra slokas/couplets
A dog a cock a hangman, all three
Are equally defiling, so is held.
A camel and especially an ass,
Therefore, avoid any contact with them.
The man who touches an ass knowingly
Or out of ignorance may be
Is instructed to have a ritual bath
Fully clothed, to be rid of defilement
–Pancatantra
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Story behind a Tamil Proverb
2253. கழுதையைக் கட்டி ஓமம் வளர்த்தது போல.
Like tying an ass and feeding a sacrificial fire.
This proverb relates to the following story. A certain Maharaja had a barber who had evinced great skill in shaving his royal master when he was asleep. To reward him the King resolved to elevate him in the social scale. The brahmans were called and ordered to make a brahman of the barber. They set to work, kindled a sacred fire and the barber was led round it, whilst the priests uttered the required incantations for accomplishing their purpose. The prime minister being of a somewhat facetious temperament determined to metamorphose an ass. As the proverb intimates he kindled a fire and led the animal round it. When the King saw him thus engaged he asked him what he was doing. The prime minister replied by stating that if the brahmans could make a brahman of a barber he thought an ass might be made into a horse, and he was therefore engaged in the ceremony.
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Donkey milk price in 2024
Taakshvi Agri Products has 16 donkeys across three breeds on its farm in Kolar.Credit: Special Arrangement A new company in Bengaluru is delivering donkey milk and milk powder. The former is priced at Rs 3,200 a litre and the latter at Rs 30,000 for … latter at Rs 30,000 for half a kilo.
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Here are Tamil Proverbs with English translation
1711. ஏகாலி வாகனம் பொதி சுமந்தாற்போல.
As a Washerman’s vehicle (a donkey) carries its load.
2850. கெட்ட கழுதைக்குத் துஷ்டபுத்தி.
A vicious donkey has mischievous propensities.
233. அம்பலக் கழுதை அம்பலத்திற் கிடந்தால் என்ன, அடுத்த திருமாளிகையிற் கிடந்தால் என்ன ?
What matters it whether the helpless ass lies in an open place or in the adjoining palace.
434. அழிந்த நந்தவனத்தில் அசுவம் மேய்ந்து என்ன, கழுதை மேய்ந்து என்ன?
What matters it whether a horse or an ass grazes in a garden that lies waste ?
1192. உடம்புளைந்த கழுதை உப்புகளத்திற்குப் போனது போல.
As the wearied ass went to the salt-pit.
1494. எடுக்க முன்னம் கழுதை இடுப்பு ஒடிந்து விழுந்ததாம்.
It is said that the ass fell down with a broken hip as soon as it was loaded.
1641. எழுதி வழங்கான் வாழ்க்கை கழுதை புரண்ட களம்.
The condition of the man who keeps no accounts is like the place in which an ass has rolled itself.
1702. என்னமாய்ச் சொல்லி இதமாய் உரைத்தாலும் கழுதைக்கு உபதேசம் காதில் ஏறாது.
No instruction however explicit or agreeable will enter the ear of an ass.
1707. என்னைப்போலக் குரலும் என் அக்காளைப்போல ஒயிலும் இல்லை என்கிறதாம் கழுதை.
The ass boasted that there was no voice equal to his, and no gait equal to that of his elder sister.
2075. கண்ணாலே சீவன் கடகட என்று போனாலும் வண்ணான் கழுதை சுமந்தே தீரவேண்டும்.
The ass of a washerman must carry the pack through, though its life may depart with a rattling noise through the eyes.
2127. கத்து கத்து என்றால் கழுதையும் கத்தாது, சொல்லு சொல்லு என்றால் புலவனும் சொல்லான்.
When repeatedly urged to bray, even an ass will not do so, when asked to sing, even a poet will refuse.
2172. கருமான் இருந்த இடமும் கழுதை புரண்ட களமும் சரி.
A blacksmith’s shop, and the place in which asses roll themselves are alike.
2175. கரும்பு முறித்துக் கழுதையை அடித்த கதை.
The story of one striking an ass with a sugar-cane.
2176.கரும்பைக் கழுதை முன் போட்டால் கழுதைக்குத் தெரியுமோ கரும்பு ருசி?
Does the ass enjoy the flavor of the sugar-cane that is placed before it?
2242. கவையைப்பற்றிக் கழுதையின் காலைப் பிடி.
To effect your object, if necessary, cling to the legs of an ass.
2243. கழுதை காணவேண்டினால் குட்டிச்சுவரிலே காணலாம்.
If an ass be wanted, it may be found feeding near a ruinous wall.
2244. கழுதைக் கெட்டால் குட்டிச்சுவர்.
If an ass be out of condition, it will be as useless as a ruinous wall.
2245. கழுதைக்கு ஏன் கடிவாளம்?
Why a bridle for an ass?
2246. கழுதைப் புண்ணுக்குப் புழுதி மருந்து.
Dust is medicine for the gores of an ass.
2247. கழுதையும் குதிரையும் சரி ஆமா ?
Are an ass and a horse equal ?
2248. கழுதையும் குதிரையும் பிணைத்தாற்போல.
Like yoking an ass and a horse together.
2249. கழுதை அறியுமா கந்தப்பொடி வாசனை?
Can an ass appreciate fragrant powder?
2250. கழுதைக்குச் சேணம் கட்டினாலும் குதிரை ஆமா ?
Does an ass become a horse by being saddled?
2251. கழுதை தேய்ந்து கட்டெறும்பு ஆயிற்று.
The ass by wearing away has become an ant.
2252. கழுதைக்கு ஏன் கலினம், அல்லது கடிவாளம்?
Why a bit or a bridle for an ass?
2254. கழுதைக்கு உபதேசம் காதிலே சொன்னாலும் அபயக் குரல் அன்றி அங்கு ஒன்றும் இல்லை.
Though religious instruction be whispered in the ears of an ass nothing will come of it but the accustomed braying.
2255. கழுதைக்கு வாழ்க்கைப்பட்டு உதைக்கு அஞ்சலாமா?
Having married an ass, do you fear his kicking ?
2256. கழுதைமேல் ஏறி என்ன, இறங்கி என்ன ?
What matters it whether you mount an ass, or alight from one ?
2257. கழுதைமேல் ஏறியும் பெருமை இல்லை, இறங்கியும் சிறுமை இல்லை.
Though you may ride on an ass, you gain no honour, nor are you disgraced by dismounting.
2258. கழுதை உழுது வண்ணான் குடி ஆனானா?
Did the washerman become a farmer by ploughing with an ass ?
2259. கழுதை உழுது குறவன் குடி ஆனானா?
Has the forester become a farmer by ploughing with an ass?
2260. கழுதை மயிர் பிடுங்கினால் இலாபம் என்ன நஷ்டம் என்ன ?
What profit or loss will arise from plucking off the hair of an ass ?
2261. கழுதை மயிர் பிடுங்கித் தேசம் கட்டி ஆள்வானா?
Can one reign as a king by selling ass-hair?
2262. கழுதைக்குத் தெரியுமா கஸ்தூரி வாசனை?
Does an ass appreciate the odour of musk?
2263.கழுதைக்குப் பரதேசம் குட்டிச்சுவர்.
The foreign country of an ass is a ruinous wall.
2264. கழுதை தப்பினால் குட்டிச்சுவரிடத்தில் இருக்கும்.
If an ass goes astray, it may be found near a ruinous wall.
2265. கழுதைப் பொதியில் ஐங்கல மாறாட்டமா?
Are there five kalams of fraud in the pack on an ass?
2266. கழுதை விட்டை ஆனாலும் கை நிரம்ப வேண்டும் என்கிறாய்.
You say get a handful, although it be but ass dung.
2364. கன்னானுக்கு முன்னே கழுதை பரதேசம் போனாற்போலே.
As an ass went on a pilgrimage before a copper-smith.
2428. காதவழி போய் அறியான் கழுதைப் பிறப்பு.
He who never walked a katham is an ass.
2429. காதவழி பெயர் இல்லான் கழுதையோடு ஒக்கும்.
He whose reputation does not reach a katham is like an ass.
2458. காரியக்காரன் கொல்லையிலே கழுதை மேய்குது.
The ass grazes in the grounds of the industrious.
2460. காரியத்துக்குக் கழுதையின் காலைப் பிடி.
If necessary, secure your purpose by clinging to the feet of an ass.
2570. குங்குமம் சுமந்த கழுதை பரிமளம் அறியுமா?
Can the ass which carried the kungumam-a fragrant resin-appreciate scents?
2850. கெட்ட கழுதைக்குத் துஷ்டபுத்தி.
A vicious donkey has mischievous propensities.
3293. சுகவாசி உடம்பு கழுதைப் பிறப்பு.
A man of luxurious habits is an ass.
4268. நிறை பொதியிலே கழுதை வாய் வைத்தாற்போல.
As an ass put its mouth into a full sack.
4614. பனை வெட்டின இடத்திலே கழுதை வட்டம் போட்டது போல.
Like an ass going round a place where a palmyrah tree had been felled.
5373. மூக்கு அறுபட்ட கழுதை தூவானத்திற்கு அஞ்சாது.
A crop-nosed ass does not fear driving rain.
5427. மேய்கிற கழுதையைக் கூவுகிற கழுதை கெடுத்ததாம்.
It is said that the braying ass interrupted the ass that was grazing.
5430. மேய்த்தாற் கழுதை மேய்ப்பேன் இல்லாவிட்டால் பரதேசம் போவேன்.
I will tend the donkeys, or go on a pilgrimage.
5517. வண்ணானுக்கு வண்ணாத்திமேல் ஆசை, வண்ணாத்திக்குக் கழுதை மேல் ஆசை.
The washerman longs for the washer-woman, and the washer woman’s desire is fixed on her donkey.
5552. வரவர மாமியார் கழுதைபோல் ஆனாள்.
In the course of time the mother-in-law became a donkey.
5608. வாக்கினால் கெட்ட கழுதையைப் போக்கிலே விடுங்கள்.
Let the ass go that brought evil on itself by braying.
5621. வாதுக்கு ஆடின தேவடியாள் வயது சென்றால் கழுதை மேய்ப்பாள்.
When a distinguished dancing girl becomes old, she may tend asses.
To be continued………………….
Tags- Panchatantra, Tamil Proverbs, Ass, Donkey, Shakespeare
Tamil and Vedas 
