Futility

This expression is used to mock someone who is being overly dramatic or exaggerating a minor event. It suggests that the person is pretending a tiny, insignificant action (like a kick from a small bird) has caused them deep internal injury or significant distress.

This proverb highlights that no matter how many skills, educational degrees, or talents a person possesses, the ultimate goal of all their efforts is to earn a livelihood and satisfy their basic need for food. It is used to remind people that every profession or skill has the same fundamental purpose: survival.

All professions are only so many means of livelihood.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the resources or tools available are completely ineffective or useless for the task at hand. Just as a lame horse cannot run and a leather sword cannot cut, it refers to having incompetent help or inadequate equipment.

This proverb is used to indicate that certain things are fundamentally impossible or non-existent by nature. Just as charcoal can never be white, the affection of a professional seductress (in a historical context) was considered transactional rather than genuine. It is used to warn someone against being deceived by superficial displays of affection or believing in something that is contrary to its inherent nature.

This proverb describes an exercise in futility or a wasted effort. It refers to providing something valuable or useful to a person who lacks the capacity or knowledge to appreciate or utilize it.

This proverb describes a situation where someone unnecessarily invites trouble or problems by speaking up when they should have remained silent. It is used when a person's own words or actions lead to a negative consequence that could have been avoided if they had just kept quiet.

This expression is used to describe someone who exaggerates a very small issue or minor incident into something massive or significant. It is typically applied when someone overreacts or blows a situation out of proportion.

This proverb is used to emphasize that secondary things, no matter how plentiful or high-quality they are, cannot replace the primary or essential requirement. Just as curry cannot satisfy hunger like rice (the staple) does, luxuries or additions cannot replace basic necessities.

This expression highlights that mere physical presence in a holy place like Kashi (Varanasi) does not guarantee spiritual liberation. It emphasizes that true salvation or inner peace comes from one's character, devotion, and internal state rather than external rituals or geographical location.

This proverb emphasizes quality of life over quantity. It suggests that a short, meaningful, and noble life (symbolized by the swan) is far superior to a long, mundane, or insignificant life (symbolized by the crow). It is used to inspire people to live with dignity and purpose rather than just existing for a long time.

This expression describes people who show great enthusiasm, energy, and courage at the start of a task but quickly lose interest or give up before completion. It is used to criticize a lack of perseverance or consistency.

This expression refers to performing a useless action or displaying brilliance in a place where there is no one to appreciate it. It is used to describe efforts that go to waste or talents that are showcased in an unworthy or empty environment.

This proverb emphasizes that borrowed items or temporary arrangements are not permanent solutions. Just as a guest house (satram) offers free shelter while a loan must be repaid, and a temporary shed (pandiri) cannot provide the security of a permanent home, one should not rely on borrowed things as if they are their own property.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is already lazy or incapable and uses any small mishap or external circumstance as a convenient excuse to stop working or avoid their responsibilities. It suggests that the person was looking for a reason to fail or quit all along.

This expression is used to describe a person who is highly over-ambitious or someone who attempts an impossible task. It refers to a dreamer who thinks of unrealistic or unattainable goals.

This proverb describes a situation where someone commits a small, insignificant offense or takes a trivial gain that results in a disproportionately large amount of conflict or enmity with an entire group of people. It is used to caution against actions where the 'cost' of social backlash far outweighs the 'benefit' of the act.

This proverb describes a situation where a specific person or thing is used as an excuse to delay or stall a collective task. It refers to people who wait for a particular individual (who might be slow or unreliable) to arrive before starting work, essentially procrastinating or justifying inaction.

This proverb is used to describe two people or entities that are equally flawed, destitute, or lacking in basic necessities. It signifies a situation where neither side can help the other because both are in a state of ruin or insufficiency.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is putting in excessive effort or providing honors to a person who is absent, unknown, or irrelevant. It highlights the pointlessness of showing respect or decorating something that isn't present or visible.

This proverb describes a situation where the penalty or maintenance cost of an item exceeds the value of the item itself. It is used when someone spends more money or effort to fix or protect something than what that thing is actually worth.

A fanam = 80 cash. Expense disproportionate to the value of an article.