The word পটা signifies a flat stone upon which spices, etc., are pounded. When Lakshman, the younger brother of Ram, was wounded in battle with Rávana, the mountain Gandhamadan was brought by Hunuman. The physician in attendance selected certain requisite medicinal herbs therefrom, and, when asking for a flat stone and pestle for grinding the herbs in question, gave vent to the proverb.
ৰহাৰ ৰহদৈ, তিপামৰ ভাদৈ, সলগুৰিৰ আঘনি বাই,
তিনিওৰ ডিঙ্গিত ধৰি তিনিয়ে কান্দিছে, সমন্ধৰ বাল গছ্, নাই।
Rahár Rahdai Tipámar Bhádai, Salagurir Ághani bái,
Tinior dingit dhari tiniye kándichhe, samandar bál gachh nái.
Rahdai from Rahá, Bhádai from Tipám, sister Aghani from Salaguri,
Are all three weeping on each other's necks and embracing,
although there is not the least relationship amongst them.
Rahá is in the Nowgong district. Tipám, or Namti, is close to Sibságar. Salaguri is also in Sibságar.
নগই গড়গাওঁৰ বতৰা কয়।
Nagai Garga(n)or batará kay.
He tells the news of Gargaon without having gone there.
A man tells the news of the court without ever having been to it. Gargaon was formerly the capital of the Ahom kings, or rather was one of their capitals.
সাগৰত আছিল পাঞ্চ জন্য শঙ্খ,
নেগুৰিয়া শামুকে কলে ময়ো তাৰে বংশ।
Ságarat áchhil pánchajanya shankha,
Neguriá shámuke kale mayo táre bangsha,
In the ocean there was the conch shell with five openings,
But the shámuk with a tail said “I am related to it.”
