అలవాటుపడిన ముండ అట్లే తిరిగితే ఆపేదెవరు?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where people directly involved in a matter are well-off or secure, but an innocent bystander or a third party with no connection suffers the consequences or bears the brunt of the situation. It highlights unfair outcomes where the wrong person is affected by a circumstance.

The cloth spoken of is the కాటేరికోక worn by pregnant women to pro- pitiate the goddess కాటేరి (Kāṭēri ). If a pregnant woman who has neg- lected the worship of this goddess, sees one of these garments, she takes fright.

This proverb highlights that if a family member (especially a protector) treats their own kin with disrespect or demeans them in public, outsiders will feel emboldened to do the same. It is used to advise that one must maintain dignity and respect within the family to ensure the world respects them as well.

This proverb highlights the difference in productivity between crops. It means that tall growth in sorghum (jowar) doesn't necessarily mean high yield as it mostly results in fodder (stalk), whereas vigorous growth in paddy leads to a plentiful grain harvest at the bank. It is used metaphorically to say that appearances of growth or activity are only valuable if they result in actual substance or wealth.

This expression is used to describe a classic chicken-and-egg dilemma or a circular argument where it is impossible to determine which of two related things happened or existed first. It is often applied to situations involving infinite regress or complex causal loops.

This is a rhetorical expression or a riddle-like saying often used to discuss the cyclical nature of things or to question priorities. 'Eruvaka' refers to the traditional festival marking the beginning of the plowing season. It highlights the deep connection between the arrival of rains (rivers) and the start of agricultural activity.

This proverb is often used in a reverse or comparative sense to highlight the permanence of certain damages. While modern variations sometimes swap the subjects, the traditional wisdom suggests that physical objects like a shattered clay pot are beyond repair, whereas human relationships and hearts (emotions) can potentially be healed through effort and time. It is used to emphasize caution in one's actions and words to avoid irreparable damage.

This proverb describes a situation where an experienced person says something casually or out of habit, but an inexperienced or fearful person takes it too seriously and reacts with unnecessary panic. It highlights how fear and lack of experience can lead one to misinterpret a trivial situation as a major crisis.

This proverb emphasizes the fragility of human relationships and emotions. While physical objects like iron can be repaired or welded back together after breaking, the trust and affection in a relationship, once shattered, can never truly be restored to its original state. It serves as a warning to be careful with one's words and actions to avoid hurting others deeply.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already overburdened with existing responsibilities or relationships is approached by someone else for help, only for that third person to suffer from neglect. It highlights the futility of seeking support from someone whose resources or attention are already fully committed elsewhere.

This proverb describes a person's tendency to return to old habits, familiar places, or routine ways of thinking, even when they are no longer beneficial or necessary. It emphasizes the power of long-standing habits and the difficulty of breaking free from one's past patterns.