Mother

This proverb is used to highlight the difference in the magnitude of loss. It suggests that while any loss is unfortunate, the loss of someone closer or more essential (like a mother) is far more devastating than the loss of someone relatively less central (like a stepmother or aunt). It is often used to prioritize or compare two negative outcomes, indicating that one is comparatively more bearable than the other.

This proverb describes a double standard or partiality. It refers to a situation where a person criticizes or sees faults in others (comparing their gaze to painful spears) while viewing their own people's similar actions or flaws as harmless, soft, or pleasant (like light popped grains).

This expression emphasizes the importance of gratitude and affection towards one's mother. It suggests that a person who lacks the basic emotion or decency to address their mother with love is as hollow and useless as a hole in the ground from which clay has been extracted.

This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes his wife and finds her sweet (like jaggery) while neglecting his mother or viewing her as a burden/troublemaker (like a ghost). It is typically used as a criticism of someone who forgets their filial duties after marriage.

This expression signifies that a person who is the source or the creator of something knows its true origins, essence, and secrets better than anyone else. It is used to suggest that certain internal truths are known only to those intimately involved from the beginning, much like a mother knows her child's history perfectly.

This proverb suggests that a child's character and upbringing are reflections of their mother, just as the quality of a fabric depends on the quality of the yarn used. It is used to describe how heredity, environment, and parental influence shape a person's nature.

This expression refers to the medicinal value of the Haritaki (Karakkaya) fruit in Ayurveda. It implies that just as a mother cares for her child's well-being and health without fail, this medicinal nut protects and heals the body from various ailments. It is used to emphasize the importance of traditional medicine and natural remedies.

This proverb highlights the depth of maternal love and care. Even if a father is as grand, wealthy, or strong as a mountain (Veligonda), a mother—even if she is poor or fragile like a small basket of cotton—is considered more valuable and beneficial to a child because of her nurturing nature and constant presence.

This proverb suggests that the character and qualities of a person are often inherited or influenced by their upbringing and ancestry. It is commonly used in the context of marriage or forming long-term alliances, implying that observing the parents (background) provides a reliable preview of the individual's nature.

This proverb highlights the reliability of two foundational elements: one's mother and the earth. It suggests that a mother's guidance and love are selfless and protective, while agriculture (or staying rooted to the land) provides a sustainable livelihood. Those who remain loyal to their roots and respect these life-givers will always prosper and never face ultimate downfall.

This expression highlights the virtue of external help or charity in times of need. It suggests that when a stranger or another person provides support or sustenance, it is as selfless and nurturing as the care provided by one's own mother, emphasizing gratitude for timely assistance.

This proverb suggests that after a mother's passing, the father's attention and affection might diminish or shift, especially if he remarries, making him distant like a secondary relative rather than a primary nurturer. It highlights the unique, irreplaceable role of a mother in a child's upbringing.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of balance and security. Just as a bowstring is secured at two ends to function properly, a mother is often considered 'complete' or secure when she has at least two children, ensuring that the lineage continues or that the children have companionship and mutual support.

This expression means that a mother's presence brings order, comfort, and resolution to chaos or problems. It is often used to signify that once the central authority or a nurturing figure intervenes, all troubles and noises naturally settle down.

This expression emphasizes the supreme importance of parents in one's life. It highlights that a mother provides spiritual and emotional guidance like a deity, while a father provides the material support and security necessary for life.

This proverb reflects the traditional agricultural wisdom regarding land management. It suggests that upland (metta) should be treated with the care and reverence given to a mother (requiring less constant attention but deep respect), while lowland (palla) should be attended to with the intimacy and constant care given to a wife (requiring frequent monitoring and labor for a good yield).

This proverb highlights the difference in perspectives of caregivers. A mother is primarily concerned with her child's well-being and whether they have eaten (the stomach), whereas a wife or the world may look at what the person has brought home or their capacity for labor (the back/burden). It is used to describe the selfless nature of maternal love compared to the practical expectations of other relationships.

This expression is used to emphasize that every child is valuable and precious in their own way. It is often used to describe a group of siblings or children who are all well-behaved, talented, or have turned out exceptionally well, suggesting they are as valuable as hidden wealth (Nikshepam).

This proverb is used to convey that one must ask or voice their needs to get what they want. In this world, even those who love you most might not realize your requirements unless you express them or struggle for them.

A satirical expression used to describe a person who feels caught between the demands or temperaments of their mother and their wife. It highlights the difficulty of managing domestic relationships when both parties are perceived as being extremely dominant or difficult.