ఆది లోనే హంస పాదు.

This expression is used to describe a situation where an obstacle or a mistake occurs at the very beginning of a task or journey. It is similar to the English idiom 'stumbling at the first hurdle' or 'a bad start.'

This expression describes a situation where someone is engaged in mindless or purely destructive activities that yield no positive results. It is often used to criticize actions that involve unnecessary damage or effort spent on something flimsy and short-lived, like a fire made of agricultural waste (stalks) that burns out quickly without providing real warmth or utility.

This expression means that a person's inherent nature, character, or lack of skill cannot be changed simply by external actions, rituals, or by changing their environment. It is used to suggest that superficial changes do not alter one's true identity or capabilities.

This expression describes a person who has spent a long time searching or struggling through various difficulties (wandering aimlessly like a crow) but eventually finds grace, success, or a smooth path (swimming elegantly like a swan). It highlights a transformation from a state of struggle to a state of dignity and ease.

This proverb is used to describe efforts or talents that go unnoticed or unappreciated because they occur in the wrong environment. Just as a swan's grace is ruined in mud and a mother's lullaby has no audience in a lonely forest, performing a great act for people who cannot value it is a waste of effort.

This expression is used to describe an activity or process that is purely destructive and lacks any lasting value or substance. 'Dhvamsa Parayanam' refers to a continuous act of demolition or ruin, while 'Dantu Manta' refers to a fire fueled by dry stalks (like corn or millet) which flares up intensely but burns out almost instantly without providing steady heat or utility. It characterizes a situation where a lot of energy is spent on damage or futile, short-lived efforts.

This expression is used when a mistake or an obstacle occurs right at the start of a new venture. 'Hamsapaadu' refers to a caret or a proofreading mark used to insert missed text, symbolizing an error or an interruption at the very inception of a task.

This proverb is used to convey that a person's fundamental nature, character, or inherent qualities do not change simply by changing their environment, performing religious rituals, or putting on external appearances. Just as a crow remains a crow regardless of where it bathes, a person with bad intentions or lack of merit cannot become noble just by association with something sacred.

This proverb is used to describe how someone who has experienced greatness, excellence, or high standards will never be satisfied with something mediocre or inferior. It highlights that once a person enjoys the best, they cannot settle for the mundane.

This expression is used to describe things or people that share the same origin, characteristics, or nature. It is often used to imply that a person's behavior is consistent with their family background or that a small part represents the whole quality of the source.