అందరూ శ్రీవైష్ణవులే, బుట్టెడు రొయ్యలు ఏమైనట్టు?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is entrusted with something they cannot resist consuming or misusing. Just as a cat will immediately eat the prawns tied to its neck, a person placed in a position of temptation will inevitably succumb to it. It signifies a lack of trust or a foolish decision in delegating responsibility.

This expression is used to describe money as the root of all evil or something that breeds greed, corruption, and unethical behavior. It is often said when observing how money can destroy relationships or lead people to commit wrongdoings.

This proverb is used to point out hypocrisy or inconsistency between a person's outward claims and their secret actions. Sri Vaishnavas are traditionally strict vegetarians, so if a group of them claims to be pious while a basket of prawns goes missing, it implies that someone among them is secretly violating their principles. It is used when everyone in a group pretends to be innocent or righteous, yet a misdeed has clearly been committed.

This expression refers to a group of four evil or malicious individuals who collaborate to cause harm. Historically, it originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Duryodhana, Dushasana, Karna, and Shakuni. In modern usage, it is often used in political or social contexts to criticize a group of four people working together with bad intentions.

This expression is used to describe a person or object that is completely out of place, unwelcome, or contradictory to the surroundings. Sri Vaishnavites are traditionally strict vegetarians, and placing a basket of prawns (non-vegetarian) among them represents a stark, awkward, and inappropriate contrast.

This proverb is used to describe hypocrisy or a situation where people pretend to be pious, righteous, or honest, yet engage in dishonest acts behind the scenes. It implies that while everyone claims to be a vegetarian/saintly, the non-vegetarian food (prawns) has been stolen, suggesting that one of the 'pious' people is the culprit.

This expression is a play on words using 'Mushti' (which can mean both 'a fist' and 'begging/alms'). It highlights the ironic situation where someone who is already poor or a beggar themselves tries to help another beggar. It is used to describe an act of charity performed by those who have very little to give, emphasizing that even the smallest act of kindness from the poor is significant.

This expression is used to describe a situation involving significant trouble, loss, and suffering. It is often used when someone explains the various difficulties or 'trials and tribulations' they have endured to achieve something or during a bad phase in life.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is receiving something for free or through charity, yet complains about the quality or quantity of what they received. It highlights the irony of a person in a dependent position showing ungratefulness or having unrealistic expectations.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where people who pretend to be highly righteous or pious (represented here by Vaishnavas) are actually involved in secretive, improper, or hypocritical acts (represented by the missing liquor pot). It highlights the gap between public appearance and private reality.