Fate/Karma
అదృష్టవంతుణ్ణి చెడగొట్టేవారు లేరు, భ్రష్టుణ్ణి బాగుపరిచేవారు లేరు
adrishtavantunni chedagottevaru leru, bhrashtunni baguparichevaru leru
No one can ruin a lucky person, and no one can reform a degenerate person.
This proverb emphasizes the power of fate and individual character. It suggests that when someone is destined for success or is truly fortunate, external attempts to harm them will fail. Conversely, if someone is morally corrupt or determined to ruin themselves, no amount of external help or advice can save them. It is used to describe situations where luck or inherent nature overrides outside influence.
మొదటి చూపుకే కలిగిన వలపుకు కాలయాపన లేదు
modati chupuke kaligina valapuku kalayapana ledu
There is no delay for love that occurs at first sight.
This expression suggests that love at first sight is immediate and decisive. It implies that when a strong connection is felt instantly, there is no need for hesitation or a long waiting period to recognize those feelings. It is often used to describe whirlwind romances or instant attraction.
దానమీనివాడు ధన్యుండు కాదయా
danaminivadu dhanyundu kadaya
One who does not give charity is not a blessed person
This expression emphasizes the virtue of generosity. It suggests that wealth alone does not bring fulfillment or spiritual merit; rather, it is the act of sharing or giving to others that makes a person truly honorable or 'blessed'. It is often used to encourage philanthropy or to critique stinginess.
జయాపజయాలు దైవాధీనాలు.
jayapajayalu daivadhinalu.
Victory and defeat are in the hands of God.
This expression is used to convey that while humans can put in the effort, the ultimate outcome (success or failure) is determined by fate or divine will. It is often used to encourage someone to stay humble in victory or resilient in defeat, acknowledging that not everything is under human control.
చేటు కాలమైన చెరుప నల్పుడె చాలు
chetu kalamaina cherupa nalpude chalu
When the time for ruin comes, even a mean person is enough to cause destruction.
This expression suggests that during bad times, or when someone is fated for a downfall, it doesn't take a mighty force to destroy them; even a petty or insignificant person can cause their undoing. It is used to highlight how vulnerability increases during a period of misfortune.
అంబలి తినేవేళ అమృతం లభించినట్లు
ambali tinevela amritam labhinchinatlu
Like finding nectar while drinking porridge.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone unexpectedly receives something very valuable or high-quality while they are engaged in a humble or ordinary task. It signifies a stroke of immense good fortune that far exceeds one's current expectations or needs.
విసరురాయి గాలికి కొట్టుకుపోతే, విస్తరాకు సంగతి చెప్పాలనా?
visarurayi galiki kottukupote, vistaraku sangati cheppalana?
If a heavy grinding stone is blown away by the wind, do we even need to mention the fate of a leaf plate?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where even the strongest or most stable things are failing or being destroyed, making the plight of smaller or weaker things obvious and inevitable. It highlights that if a powerful entity cannot withstand a calamity, a weak entity has no chance at all.
పురిటిలోనే సంధి కొట్టినట్లు
puritilone sandhi kottinatlu
Like a newborn being struck by an ailment right at birth
This expression is used to describe a situation where a project, idea, or initiative fails or encounters a major obstacle at its very inception or earliest stage. It highlights something being ruined before it even had a chance to start or grow.
స్వాతి కురిస్తే చట్రాయిగూడా పండును
svati kuriste chatrayiguda pandunu
If it rains during the Swati star (Swati Karthe), even a flat rock will yield crops.
This is a popular Telugu agricultural proverb highlighting the importance of the Swati Karthe (a specific period in the lunar calendar). It suggests that the rainfall during this period is so auspicious and beneficial for agriculture that even barren or stony lands (symbolized by a flat rock) will become fertile and productive.
ఆరె మాను కింద బూరెల మాను విరగబడ్డట్లు
are manu kinda burela manu viragabaddatlu
Like a tree of sweets (Boorelu) falling down under a common Aare tree.
This proverb is used to describe an unexpected and immense stroke of luck or a windfall. It portrays a situation where someone gets a huge, delightful benefit (symbolized by the sweets tree) while just casually standing under an ordinary tree (Aare tree).
దైవాధీనం జగత్సర్వం
daivadhinam jagatsarvam
The whole world is under the control of God.
This expression signifies that the entire universe and all events within it are governed by divine will. It is commonly used to express fatalism, humility, or the idea that despite human effort, the ultimate outcome of any endeavor rests in the hands of a higher power.
కృషితో నాస్తి దుర్భిక్షం, జపతో నాస్తి పాతకం
krishito nasti durbhiksham, japato nasti patakam
With hard work there is no famine, with chanting there is no sin.
This proverb emphasizes the power of effort and spiritual practice. 'Krishitho nasti durbhiksham' means that through diligent work and labor, poverty or famine can be eliminated. 'Japatho nasti pathakam' suggests that constant prayer or meditation can help one overcome or cleanse their sins. It is used to encourage industriousness and spiritual discipline.
భరణి కార్తెలో చల్లినా నువ్వుచేను కాయకు బరిగెడు గింజలు
bharani kartelo challina nuvvuchenu kayaku barigedu ginjalu
Even if sesame is sown during the Bharani season, each pod will yield a stick's worth of seeds.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb highlighting the high productivity and auspiciousness of the Bharani Karthi (astrological season) for sesame cultivation. It implies that sesame sown during this specific time results in an exceptionally bountiful harvest, where even a single pod contains an abundant amount of grain.
మామిడికాయలు తరిగితే, కత్తిపీట వాదర పులుస్తుందా?
mamidikayalu tarigite, kattipita vadara pulustunda?
If you slice mangoes, will the edge of the vegetable cutter turn sour?
This proverb is used to illustrate that experiencing something or being around something doesn't necessarily change one's inherent nature. Just as a metal blade doesn't taste sour no matter how many sour mangoes it cuts, a person or object remains unchanged by external circumstances they are merely processing or witnessing.
కన్నేల పోయెనోయి కనకలింగమా అంటే చేసుకున్న కర్మమోయి శంభులింగమా అన్నాడట
kannela poyenoyi kanakalingama ante chesukunna karmamoyi shambhulingama annadata
When asked 'O Kanakalinga, why did you lose your eye?', he replied 'It is the result of my past deeds, O Shambulinga'.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone tries to hide their mistakes or incompetence by blaming it on fate or karma. It highlights a circular or evasive way of answering where instead of giving a direct reason for a failure, one attributes it to destiny to avoid accountability.
వచ్చిన కర్మము వద్దంటే పోతుందా?
vachchina karmamu vaddante potunda?
Will the destiny that has arrived go away just because you say no?
This proverb is used to express that one must face the consequences of their past actions (Karma) or inevitable life situations. It suggests that once a certain fate or trouble has arrived, it cannot be avoided simply by wishing it away or refusing to accept it; one must endure and go through it.
అలువుడిని బలువుడు కొడితే, బలువుడిని బ్రహ్మదేవుడు కొడతాడు
aluvudini baluvudu kodite, baluvudini brahmadevudu kodatadu
If a strong person hits a weak person, Lord Brahma will hit the strong person.
This proverb conveys the concept of divine justice or karma. It means that if a powerful person oppresses or bullies someone weaker, there is always a higher power (fate or God) that will eventually punish the oppressor. It is used to warn people against abusing their power.
చెట్టును బట్టి కాయ
chettunu batti kaya
The fruit depends on the tree
Like father, like son; or the quality of a product depends on its source. It is used to suggest that the nature or character of a person or thing is determined by its origin or upbringing.
ఆపదలైనా, సంపదలైనా ఒంటరిగా రావు.
apadalaina, sampadalaina ontariga ravu.
Be it calamities or wealth, they do not come alone.
This expression suggests that both misfortunes and fortunes tend to arrive in series or clusters rather than as isolated incidents. It is used to describe situations where multiple problems occur at once (misfortunes never come singly) or when a stroke of luck leads to multiple benefits.
రాముడి వంటి దేవుడు, రావణుడి వంటి రాక్షసుడు లేడు
ramudi vanti devudu, ravanudi vanti rakshasudu ledu
There is no god like Rama, and there is no demon like Ravana.
This expression is used to describe the extremes of character or quality. It highlights that Rama represents the absolute pinnacle of virtue and divinity, while Ravana represents the ultimate level of villainy and ego. In a broader sense, it is used to compare someone to the best or worst of their kind.