Signification
Basic needs must be met before spiritual ones.
Contexte culturel
The Warkari sect emphasizes that the body is a gift from God and must be nourished to serve God. This proverb is a reflection of that balance. The concept of 'Anna Brahma' (Food is God) is prevalent. One cannot ignore the 'Brahma' in the form of food while seeking the 'Brahma' in the form of spirit. In fast-paced cities like Mumbai, this proverb is often used to advocate for 'Lunch Rights' in high-pressure jobs. Many Marathi writers like Pu La Deshpande have used this proverb to highlight the simple, grounded wisdom of the common man against high-brow intellectualism.
Use it for breaks
This is the perfect 'polite excuse' to leave a conversation or meeting for a meal.
Vitthal is a friend
In Marathi culture, Vitthal is treated like a family member, which is why people feel comfortable putting their stomach before him.
Signification
Basic needs must be met before spiritual ones.
Use it for breaks
This is the perfect 'polite excuse' to leave a conversation or meeting for a meal.
Vitthal is a friend
In Marathi culture, Vitthal is treated like a family member, which is why people feel comfortable putting their stomach before him.
Not for gluttony
Don't use this to justify eating a third dessert; it's about necessary meals.
Teste-toi
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
आधी ______ मग ______
The standard form is 'आधी पोटी मग विठ्ठली'.
In which situation is this proverb most appropriate?
A friend wants to skip lunch to finish a project.
This proverb is used to prioritize eating over other tasks.
Match the Marathi word to its literal meaning in this proverb.
1. आधी, 2. पोटी, 3. मग, 4. विठ्ठली
Aadhi = First, Poti = In the stomach, Mag = Then, Vitthali = Towards God.
Complete the dialogue.
आई: 'बाळा, जेवून घे.' मुलगा: 'आई, मला खेळायला जायचे आहे.' आई: 'नाही, ______.'
The mother is telling the child to eat before playing.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Priorities in the Proverb
Primary (आधी)
- • Food
- • Health
- • Salary
- • Survival
Secondary (मग)
- • Prayer
- • Work
- • Study
- • Social Service
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesआधी ______ मग ______
The standard form is 'आधी पोटी मग विठ्ठली'.
A friend wants to skip lunch to finish a project.
This proverb is used to prioritize eating over other tasks.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Aadhi = First, Poti = In the stomach, Mag = Then, Vitthali = Towards God.
आई: 'बाळा, जेवून घे.' मुलगा: 'आई, मला खेळायला जायचे आहे.' आई: 'नाही, ______.'
The mother is telling the child to eat before playing.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, in Marathi culture, it's seen as a practical truth that God himself would agree with. It's used with affection, not malice.
Yes, if the atmosphere is somewhat casual or if it's clearly lunch time. It's a common way to signal a break.
It means 'in the stomach'. The base word is 'Pot' (stomach) and the '-i' is an old locative marker.
Not as famous as this one, but 'भुकेला कोंडा, निजेला धोंडा' covers both hunger and sleep.
The '-i' ending is an archaic form used in proverbs to create a rhyme or a specific grammatical case (towards/at).
Absolutely. It's a linguistic idiom used by everyone in Maharashtra regardless of religion.
It's a playful personification of 'Pot' (stomach), adding the respectful suffix '-ba' usually reserved for fathers or elders.
Extremely common. You'll hear it in trains, offices, and homes every day.
Generally, it refers to food/sustenance, but it can be used for any basic physical need.
There isn't a perfect one, but 'First things first' or 'A hungry man is an angry man' are close in spirit.
Expressions liées
पोटपूजा
similarWorshipping the stomach (eating).
भुकेला कोंडा, निजेला धोंडा
similarA hungry person will eat husk, a sleepy person will sleep on a stone.
अति तिथे माती
contrastExcess leads to ruin.
आधी पोटोबा मग विठोबा
synonymFirst Mr. Stomach, then Mr. Vitthal.
