Fate/Karma
విశాఖ పట్టితే పిశాచి పట్టినట్లు
vishakha pattite pishachi pattinatlu
If the Vishakha star catches you, it is like being caught by a ghost.
This is an astrological saying referring to the Vishakha Nakshatra. It suggests that individuals under the influence of this star can be extremely stubborn, persistent, or difficult to deal with, much like an obsession or a haunting spirit that doesn't let go easily. It is used to describe someone's relentless nature or a streak of bad luck that feels inescapable.
కాని కాలానికి కర్రే పాము అవుతుంది
kani kalaniki karre pamu avutundi
In your evil hour your own stick will become a snake. i. e. your own friends will turn against you.
This proverb signifies that when luck is against someone or when times are unfavorable, even the most harmless or helpful things can turn into sources of trouble. It is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong unexpectedly.
చెడ్డకాలమైనప్పుడు ఎవరి దెస నుండి ఏ వికారము వచ్చునో!
cheddakalamainappudu evari desa nundi e vikaramu vachchuno!
When bad times arise, who knows what trouble will come from which direction!
This expression is used to describe a period of misfortune where problems and unexpected negative changes occur from sources one wouldn't normally expect. It highlights the unpredictability of hardship during a 'bad phase' of life, implying that when luck is against you, anything can go wrong.
బొట్టు కట్టితేగాని ముండమొయ్యదు
bottu kattitegani mundamoyyadu
She cannot become a widow unless she is first married (by tying the Bottu).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where certain necessary conditions must be met before an outcome—often a negative or inevitable one—can occur. It highlights the logical sequence of events, implying that one cannot experience the consequences of a state (like widowhood) without first entering that state (marriage).
నక్కతోక పట్టుకొని నాకలోక మెక్కినట్లు.
nakkatoka pattukoni nakaloka mekkinatlu.
Like catching a fox's tail to reach heaven.
This expression is used to describe a person who experiences sudden, unexpected good luck or success through a minor or unlikely connection. It mocks the idea that a trivial action could lead to a monumental achievement, or describes someone who believes they have achieved greatness through sheer luck rather than merit.
న్యాయము తప్పినవానికి ఆచార్యకటాక్ష మెందుకు
nyayamu tappinavaniki acharyakataksha menduku
Why does one who has strayed from justice need the teacher's grace?
This expression highlights that for someone who has abandoned righteousness, justice, or ethics, even the blessings or guidance of a great teacher (Guru) will be of no use. It implies that personal integrity is a prerequisite for receiving and benefiting from divine or scholarly grace.
కానిచోట కందయినా కాయదు
kanichota kandayina kayadu
In an unfavorable place, even a yam will not grow.
This proverb suggests that if the environment, timing, or circumstances are not conducive, even the most resilient or easiest tasks will fail to yield results. It is used to emphasize that success depends heavily on being in the right place or situation.
చేసిన పాపాలకు పెట్టిన దీపాలకు సరి
chesina papalaku pettina dipalaku sari
The sins committed and the lamps lit are equal.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the bad deeds or mistakes someone has committed are roughly offset or balanced out by their attempts at atonement or good deeds. It is often used sarcastically to imply that someone's superficial rituals or minor good acts are just barely covering up their significant wrongdoings, or that the accounts of good and bad have been settled.
కోరినంత పెట్టేనమ్మ కోతికి శివుడు
korinanta pettenamma kotiki shivudu
Lord Shiva gave the monkey as much as it asked for.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gets exactly what they desired or even more than they expected, often through divine grace or unexpected generosity. It highlights the fulfillment of a wish or reaching a state of abundance.
చేలో పుట్టిన బీడు ఎక్కడికి పోను.
chelo puttina bidu ekkadiki ponu.
Where can the weed born in the field go?
This proverb implies that something born or inherent to a specific place or situation cannot truly escape its origins or its nature. It is often used to suggest that a person's roots, character, or problems will remain with them regardless of where they are, or that something belonging to a person will eventually come back to them.
వ్యవసాయం ఏలిననాటి శని, భార్య జన్మశని.
vyavasayam elinanati shani, bharya janmashani.
Agriculture is like Elinati Shani, and a wife is like Janma Shani.
This is a traditional proverb used to describe the constant challenges and lifelong responsibilities one faces. Comparing agriculture to 'Elinati Shani' (a period of 7.5 years of hardship in astrology) suggests it requires immense, long-term effort and patience. Comparing a wife to 'Janma Shani' implies that domestic life and marriage are permanent, life-long commitments that one must manage with care regardless of the difficulties.
కారాకువలె కర్మం కాలిపోతుంది
karakuvale karmam kalipotundi
Karma burns away like a dry leaf
This expression is used to describe the complete and rapid destruction of one's past sins or destiny, often through divine grace, intense penance, or wisdom. Just as a dry leaf (karaku) catches fire instantly and turns to ash, one's burdens or bad luck are said to be annihilated.
సముద్రంపై ఉరిమితే, వాన తప్పదు
samudrampai urimite, vana tappadu
If it thunders over the ocean, rain is inevitable.
This expression refers to reliable indicators or signs that predict an upcoming event. Just as thunder over the sea is a certain sign of a storm or heavy rain (cyclone) reaching the land, certain actions or symptoms make a specific outcome predictable and unavoidable.
గాము సోకినట్లు
gamu sokinatlu
As if possessed by an evil spirit or celestial influence
This expression is used to describe a person who is acting strangely, stubbornly, or behaving in an irrational and unpredictable manner. In traditional belief, 'Gaamu' refers to a malefic planetary influence or a spirit. It is commonly used to critique someone's sudden negative change in behavior or their persistent bad mood.
శాపాలు ఉత్సవాల వంటివి, అవి ఊరేగి ఊరేగి బయలుదేరిన చోటుకే వచ్చి చేరును.
shapalu utsavala vantivi, avi uregi uregi bayaluderina chotuke vachchi cherunu.
Curses are like festivals; they process around and eventually return to the place where they started.
This proverb suggests that bad intentions or curses directed at others often come back to haunt the person who uttered them. It is similar to the English expression 'curses like chickens come home to roost.' It is used to caution people against wishing ill upon others, implying that the negative energy will eventually return to the sender.
అన్ని పైర్లకు ఆషాఢం.
anni pairlaku ashadham.
Ashadham for all crops.
In the Telugu calendar, Ashadham is a month of heavy winds and rains that often damage young crops. This proverb is used to describe a situation where a common disaster or a single bad circumstance affects everyone or everything equally, leaving no one spared.
కన్ను ఎర్రనైనా మిన్ను ఎర్రనైనా కారక మానదు
kannu erranaina minnu erranaina karaka manadu
When the eye is red, or the sky is red, ( at sunset ) there will surely be a dropping.
This proverb highlights inevitable outcomes based on natural signs. When the eye is red (inflamed or angry), tears will flow; when the sky turns red (with clouds), rain will fall. It is used to describe situations where certain consequences are bound to happen once the symptoms or conditions are present.
అత్తమ్మ నెత్తి బుడతడు కొడితే, బుడతడి నెత్తి బుడ్డోడు కొట్టాడట.
attamma netti budatadu kodite, budatadi netti buddodu kottadata.
If a child hits the grandmother's head, another child will hit that child's head.
This Telugu proverb illustrates the concept of karma or 'tit for tat.' It suggests that the same treatment or harm you inflict upon others will eventually be returned to you by someone else. It is used to warn people that their negative actions have consequences.
అత్తా ఒక ఇంటి కోడలే, మామా ఒక ఇంటి అల్లుడే
atta oka inti kodale, mama oka inti allude
The mother-in-law was once a daughter-in-law of a house, and the father-in-law was once a son-in-law of a house.
This proverb highlights that everyone in a position of authority once held a subordinate role. It is used to remind people (especially in-laws) to be empathetic and treat others with kindness, remembering that they were once in the same shoes. It emphasizes that life is a cycle and experiences are shared across generations.
వీరోచిత కార్యాల సుగంధమే కీర్తి.
virochita karyala sugandhame kirti.
Fame is the fragrance of heroic deeds.
This expression means that a person's reputation or fame is a natural byproduct of their brave and noble actions, much like how a flower's fragrance is the result of its existence. It is used to emphasize that one should focus on performing great deeds rather than chasing after fame directly.