Death/Mortality
మంచివానికే వచ్చెనా మరణ కాకితము
manchivanike vachchena marana kakitamu
Alas! has a death warrant come to a good man ? Regretting the loss of some good man.
This expression is used to express grief or irony when a virtuous person passes away or faces misfortune while those with bad character continue to thrive. It reflects the philosophical observation that death often claims the righteous unexpectedly or unfairly.
దీపం ఆరిన తర్వాత దినుసంతా ఒకటే
dipam arina tarvata dinusanta okate
After the lamp goes out, all materials are the same.
This proverb suggests that in the dark, or after death, all distinctions of class, beauty, and status disappear. It is used to express that everyone is equal in the end or when appearances are no longer visible.
చావుకు మళ్ళీ చావు వస్తుందా?
chavuku malli chavu vastunda?
Does death come more than once ?
This expression is used to convey that once someone has reached the absolute bottom or has already faced the worst possible outcome, they no longer fear further risks or consequences. It signifies a state of fearlessness or resilience after an extreme loss or failure, implying that things cannot get any worse than they already are.
చితికిన మనసు అతకదు
chitikina manasu atakadu
A broken heart cannot be mended.
This expression is used to describe a situation where trust is shattered or deep emotional hurt is caused. Just as a crushed object cannot be restored to its original state, once a person's heart or spirit is broken by betrayal or severe disappointment, the relationship or their mental peace can never truly be the same again.
చిలుకపోయిన పంజర మేమిచేయు?
chilukapoyina panjara memicheyu?
What can a cage do after the parrot has flown away?
This expression is a philosophical metaphor for the relationship between the soul and the body. Just as an empty cage loses its purpose and beauty once the parrot leaves, a physical body becomes a lifeless vessel once the soul departs. It is often used to highlight the transience of life or to express the futility of holding onto something that has lost its essence.
గంగకు, సొంగకు, పంగకు తప్పలేదు
gangaku, songaku, pangaku tappaledu
Ganga, saliva, and split legs are inevitable.
This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to describe the unavoidable physical transformations and loss of bodily control that come with extreme old age. 'Ganga' refers to the watering of eyes or nose, 'Songa' to drooling, and 'Panga' to the inability to walk straight (bowed legs). It is used to philosophize about the reality that no matter how great one is, the indignities of aging spare no one.
చచ్చేటప్పుడు శంభో శంకరా అంటే
chachchetappudu shambho shankara ante
If one says 'Shambho Shankara' while dying
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to fix a problem or seek redemption at the very last moment, often when it is too late for the effort to be meaningful or effective. It highlights the futility of eleventh-hour realisations or actions after a lifetime of neglect.
వర్లి వర్లి వాడు పోయె, వండుకు తిని వీడు పోయె
varli varli vadu poye, vanduku tini vidu poye
One died after constant worrying, while the other died after cooking and eating.
This proverb is used to illustrate the unpredictability of life and death. It suggests that whether one lives in constant anxiety and hardship or lives comfortably and enjoys life, the end (death) is inevitable for everyone. It is often used to advise against excessive worrying about the future or to point out that fate eventually catches up to everyone regardless of their lifestyle.
చస్తే చచ్చాడు గాని, చలిజ్వరం చప్పగా వదిలింది
chaste chachchadu gani, chalijvaram chappaga vadilindi
If he died, he died; but at least the shivering fever has left quietly.
This expression is used when a significant problem is resolved, even if the solution involves a loss or a drastic measure. It implies a sense of relief from a persistent nuisance, suggesting that the end of the trouble is worth the price paid, often used in a cynical or cold-hearted context regarding the removal of a burden.
కాటికి కాళ్ళు చాచుకుని తిండికి చెయ్యి చాచేవాడు
katiki kallu chachukuni tindiki cheyyi chachevadu
One who stretches legs towards the cremation ground but stretches hands for food
This expression describes a person who is extremely old or at the end of their life (one foot in the grave) but still possesses a strong desire or greed for material things or food. It is used to highlight the irony of having worldly attachments even when death is imminent.
మనిషి చస్తే మాట మిగులుతుంది, ఎద్దు చస్తే ఎముక మిగులుతుంది.
manishi chaste mata migulutundi, eddu chaste emuka migulutundi.
When a man dies, his words remain; when an ox dies, its bones remain.
This proverb emphasizes that a person's legacy is defined by the words they spoke and the reputation they built during their lifetime. While an animal leaves behind physical remains like bones or hide, a human's lasting impact is the influence of their character and speech. It is used to encourage people to speak kindly and live honorably so they are remembered well.
పుట్టడము చావడము కొరకే
puttadamu chavadamu korake
To be born is but for death.
This expression reflects a philosophical view on the cycle of life and death. It is used to remind others that death is an inevitable outcome of birth and that one should not be overly attached to worldly life or fear the end, as it is a natural law of existence.
మంచి వానికి మరణం లేదు
manchi vaniki maranam ledu
A good person has no death
This expression signifies that while a person may physically pass away, their virtuous deeds, character, and legacy live on forever in the hearts of others. It is used to emphasize the immortality of a good reputation.
మన్ను మిన్ను ఏకమైతే మనుష్యులకు బ్రతుకేది?
mannu minnu ekamaite manushyulaku bratukedi?
If the earth and sky become one, where is the life for humans?
This expression is used to describe a catastrophic or overwhelming situation where everything is in chaos. It implies that when natural order is disrupted or when massive troubles converge from all sides, survival becomes impossible. It is often used to describe extreme weather like heavy rains or a series of great misfortunes.
కలకాలం బతికినా కాటికి పోక తప్పదు
kalakalam batikina katiki poka tappadu
No matter how long you live, you cannot avoid going to the cremation ground.
This proverb emphasizes the inevitability of death. It is used to remind someone that despite wealth, power, or a long life, everyone is mortal and will eventually pass away. It serves as a philosophical reflection on the temporary nature of life.
రోగాన పడీ పడీ నరకాన చేరాడు.
rogana padi padi narakana cheradu.
Having fallen ill repeatedly, he finally reached hell.
This expression describes someone who has suffered through prolonged, excruciating illness or hardship for a long time before finally passing away or reaching a state of absolute misery. It is used to emphasize a journey of continuous suffering where death or the final outcome feels like a tragic end to a painful process.
చచ్చిననాటి దుఃఖం మరునాడు ఉంటుందా
chachchinanati duhkham marunadu untunda
Does the grief of the day of death stay the same the next day?
This proverb highlights the transient nature of human emotions, particularly sorrow. It suggests that time heals all wounds and that the intensity of grief or anger naturally diminishes as time passes. It is used to console someone or to point out that life goes on despite great losses.
తలకు మించిన శిక్ష, గోచికి మించిన దరిద్రం లేదు
talaku minchina shiksha, gochiki minchina daridram ledu
There is no punishment greater than beheading, and no poverty worse than having only a loincloth.
This expression is used to describe a state of absolute extremity or the ultimate limit of a situation. It suggests that once someone has reached the absolute lowest point of poverty or the highest form of punishment, they have nothing left to fear or lose. It is often used to convey resilience or indifference in the face of further threats when one is already in a dire state.
ముసలి కాలానికి ముప్పతిప్పలు
musali kalaniki muppatippalu
Three times the troubles in old age.
This expression refers to the immense hardships, health issues, and dependencies that often plague a person during their old age. It is used to describe a situation where one faces constant, overwhelming difficulties during the final stages of life.
నింద లేనిదే బొందెపోదు
ninda lenide bondepodu
The body does not leave without a blame.
This expression suggests that death rarely occurs without some external reason, illness, or blame being assigned. It is used to imply that whenever someone passes away, people tend to seek a cause or someone to hold responsible, even though death is inevitable.