ఆలులేనివానికి హనుమంతరాయని గుడి, బిడియమిడిచినవాడికి వీరప్పగుడి శరణ్యం
alulenivaniki hanumantarayani gudi, bidiyamidichinavadiki virappagudi sharanyam
For a man without a wife, Hanuman temple is the refuge; for a man who has lost all shame, Veerappa temple is the refuge.
This proverb highlights social realities of the past. It suggests that a single man (bachelor or widower) often spends his time at the local Hanuman temple for companionship or food, while a person who has discarded social inhibitions or decorum ends up at shrines of fierce or peripheral deities (Veerappa), implying they have no place in polite society.
Related Phrases
కలుపు తీయని మడి, దేవుడు లేని గుడి.
kalupu tiyani madi, devudu leni gudi.
A field without weeding is like a temple without a deity.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of maintenance and care. Just as a temple is purposeless and empty without a god, a crop field is useless if it is not weeded. It is used to highlight that without proper effort, supervision, or the core essential element, any endeavor or establishment becomes worthless.
తోక లేదు గాని హనుమంతునంత బంటు
toka ledu gani hanumantunanta bantu
He has no tail, but he is as great a servant (or warrior) as Hanuman.
This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally capable, hardworking, or loyal, comparing them to the legendary Hanuman despite lacking the physical attribute (the tail). It is often used to praise someone's strength and dedication.
యముడికీ శివుడికీ వెరువనివాడు
yamudiki shivudiki veruvanivadu
One who fears neither Yama nor Shiva.
This expression describes an exceptionally bold, fearless, or reckless individual. Yama is the god of death and Shiva is the god of destruction; by saying someone doesn't fear either, it implies they are not afraid of death, divine consequences, or any supreme power. It is often used to describe someone who takes extreme risks or acts with total defiance.
హక్కు హనుమంతరాయనిది, అనుభవం చెన్నారాయనిది.
hakku hanumantarayanidi, anubhavam chennarayanidi.
The right belongs to Hanumantharayudu, but the enjoyment belongs to Chennarayudu.
This proverb describes a situation where one person holds the legal right or title to something, while another person actually enjoys the benefits or fruits of it. It is used to point out discrepancies between ownership and actual possession or usage.
చచ్చినవాడికి పిండివంటలు, బతికినవాడికి బండెడు అప్పులు.
chachchinavadiki pindivantalu, batikinavadiki bandedu appulu.
Delicacies for the dead, a cartload of debts for the living.
This proverb highlights the irony of human traditions where people spend extravagantly on funeral rituals and feasts for the deceased, often by borrowing money, which leaves the surviving family members in deep financial distress. It is used to criticize performative social customs that prioritize ritualistic honor over the practical welfare of the living.
లంక కాల్చినవాడు హనుమంతుడు.
lanka kalchinavadu hanumantudu.
The man who burnt Lankâ is Hanumân.
This phrase is used to give credit to the person who actually performed a task or took a significant action, often used when clarifying roles in a major event or recognizing true bravery and capability.
గుడిని మింగేవాడికి గుడిలో లింగం ఒక లెక్కా?
gudini mingevadiki gudilo lingam oka lekka?
For one who can swallow the entire temple, is the Shiva Lingam inside it even a consideration?
This proverb is used to describe a person who is involved in massive corruption or a huge crime; for such a person, stealing a small thing or committing a minor offense is trivial. It highlights that someone who has already committed a grave misdeed will not hesitate to commit smaller ones to further their goal.
ఆలులేనివానికి ఆత్మకూరు
alulenivaniki atmakuru
For a man without a wife, Atmakuru is the place.
This proverb is a play on words using the name of the town 'Atmakuru' (which literally translates to 'Soul-settling' or 'Settling for oneself'). It implies that a bachelor or a widower has no domestic ties or responsibilities, allowing him to live wherever he pleases or focus solely on himself. It is often used to describe the freedom, or sometimes the loneliness and lack of direction, of a man with no family life.
అసలు దేవుడు మూలబడితే, హనుమంతరాయనికి తెప్పతిరునాళ్ళట
asalu devudu mulabadite, hanumantarayaniki teppatirunallata
While the main deity is relegated to a corner, the secondary deity (Hanuman) gets a grand boat festival.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the primary person or the most important matter is neglected or ignored, while undue importance or celebration is given to someone or something of lesser significance.
తెగించినవాడికి తెడ్డేలింగం, విడిచినదానికి వీరేశలింగం
teginchinavadiki teddelingam, vidichinadaniki vireshalingam
For the one who has dared, a ladle is the Lingam; for the one who has cast aside shame, Veereshalingam.
This proverb describes people who have lost all sense of shame, fear, or social decorum. It suggests that once a person decides to be reckless or shameless, they no longer respect sacred symbols or social boundaries, treating even a common kitchen ladle (teddu) as a deity (Lingam) out of mockery or indifference. It is used to describe someone who acts without restraint or accountability.