Mother

This popular proverb highlights the immense medicinal and nutritional value of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the ultimate caregiver, the health benefits of eating onions are so unique and vital that they are incomparable. It is used to encourage the inclusion of onions in one's diet for better health.

This proverb describes a situation where someone pretends to be innocent or needy while already possessing or hiding the very thing they are asking for. It is used to mock hypocritical behavior or someone who is being cunning by feigning ignorance to gain more.

This expression describes a situation where a person, influenced by their spouse, begins to view their own mother's advice or presence as toxic or bitter, while finding everything the spouse says to be sweet and desirable. It is used to criticize someone who neglects their parents after marriage.

This expression describes a dog-in-the-manger situation where someone neither helps you themselves nor allows you to seek help or opportunities from other sources. It is used to criticize people who obstruct others' progress while providing no support of their own.

This expression emphasizes that a person's maternal home or birthplace is the most sacred and comforting place for them, comparable to the heavenly abode of Lord Shiva. It is used to describe the deep emotional attachment and sense of security one feels at their parents' house.

This proverb highlights the inherent bias or favoritism found even in the most fundamental figures of care. It is used to express that preference exists everywhere, suggesting that a mother might favor one child over another, just as the Earth might yield more fruitfully in one spot than another. It is often cited when someone feels treated unfairly or observes natural inequalities.

This proverb emphasizes the unwavering reliability and nurturing nature of one's mother and the land (earth). It suggests that respecting and depending on these two fundamental sources of life ensures a person's well-being and success, as they never betray those who believe in them.

This proverb highlights that no one can have more patience, love, or concern for someone than their own mother (or the person most naturally responsible for them). It is used to suggest that if the person most invested in a situation cannot tolerate something, it is unrealistic to expect a secondary or hired person to do so.

This proverb describes the traditional roles of parents in a family. When a mother passes away, the emotional connection and bonds between siblings and extended family (the generation) often weaken or dissolve. When a father passes away, the family's financial obligations, inheritances, and responsibilities (the debt/burden) transition to the next generation or are settled.

This collection of expressions describes situations of discomfort and lack of peace. It highlights that even a small space feels like a lot of work for a mother with a child, while unwelcome companionship or an uninviting environment leads to restless nights and a lack of fulfillment.

This expression describes a situation where a mother is extremely soft-hearted, tender, and easily moved (like wax that melts), while her child is stubborn, unyielding, or emotionally hard (like a stone). It is used to highlight the stark contrast in temperaments between a sensitive parent and an insensitive or difficult child.

This proverb is used to illustrate that certain outcomes or actions can only be triggered by a specific, natural catalyst. It often implies that one must offer a small incentive or initiate a process to get the desired result, or that a mother's affection/cooperation is invoked by the presence or needs of her child.

This expression highlights the significance of primary relationships in a person's life. It suggests that if one loses the love and support of both their mother (representing one's origin) and their spouse (representing one's life partner/future), their existence becomes meaningless or devoid of purpose.

This proverb advises that one can judge the character, health, and future potential of something by looking at its origins or physical indicators. Just as a mother's traits often reflect in her child, or a cow's teeth indicate its age and health, we should evaluate the background and fundamental health of an entity before making a commitment.

This proverb is used to describe the instinctual bond between a mother and her child. It implies that even if a mother cannot see her child's suffering or needs with her eyes, she can feel them intuitively in her gut or heart. It is often used to emphasize maternal intuition and the deep, invisible connection of parenthood.

This proverb highlights two fundamental realities: Truth is as powerful and piercing as fire, capable of exposing anything and burning through lies. Water is compared to a mother because it is essential for life, nurturing, and possesses a calming, life-giving nature. It is used to emphasize the importance of honesty and the sustaining power of nature.

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 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.

This expression is used to indicate that a woman is in the advanced stages of pregnancy, literally meaning that several months of the pregnancy have passed and she is nearing full term.

This traditional proverb highlights the cultural observation that daughters often provide better care, comfort, and emotional support to their parents in old age compared to sons. While sons were traditionally preferred for lineage, the saying suggests that daughters ensure their mother sits comfortably (chairs), whereas sons might leave her with no place but the outside of the house (eaves).