అంకెలేని కోతి లంకంతా చెరిచిందట
ankeleni koti lankanta cherichindata
An unrestrained monkey destroyed all of Lanka.
This expression is used to describe how a person without discipline or control can cause widespread damage or chaos to an entire organization or community. It draws from the Ramayana, referring to the potential havoc an unchecked force can wreak.
Related Phrases
తా చెడ్డ కోతి వనమెల్ల చెరచిందట
ta chedda koti vanamella cherachindata
A spoilt monkey spoiling the whole garden.
This refers to one already spoilt spoiling all the others around. Generally, when one is in bad shape – especially, morally – one would spread one’s vice to others also. Such people should be avoided by all means.
ముద్దుచేసిన కుక్క మూతి కరిచిందట.
mudduchesina kukka muti karichindata.
The dog that was pampered bit the snout (face).
This proverb describes a situation where someone who was treated with excessive affection or leniency turns around and causes harm or shows disrespect to their benefactor. It is used to warn against the dangers of over-pampering or being too indulgent with people who lack character or discipline, as they may eventually take advantage of that kindness.
ఓర్చలేని రెడ్డి వుండీ చెరిచెను, చచ్చీ చెరిచెను.
orchaleni reddi vundi cherichenu, chachchi cherichenu.
The envious Reddi ruined the village while living, and was a curse to it when dead. A Reddi who had oppressed the people of his village all his life, requested them, when dying, to burn his body in a certain spot. This they willingly acceded to, and took the Reddi's corpse there for that pur- pose, when they were attacked by the inhabitants of the neighbouring village, within the limit of which the Reddi had desired to be burned, and this became an everlasting cause of contention. ( See Tâtchâri's Tales Page 5. )
This proverb is used to describe a person with an intensely jealous or malicious nature who causes trouble for others throughout their life and whose legacy or final actions continue to cause problems even after they are gone. It refers to people who are so spiteful that their negative influence persists beyond their presence.
ఒరగబెట్టి తాగేది చెరిచెరా కంచరవాడు
oragabetti tagedi cherichera kancharavadu
The brazier has spoilt the dish which before I ate out of slantingly ( on account of the hole in it ).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone introduces an unnecessary or troublesome innovation to a simple, existing habit, ultimately making it more complicated or ruining it. It refers to a story where people used to drink comfortably, but a metalsmith (brazier) made a vessel that required tilting in an awkward way, spoiling the ease of the act.
* Unns vir nullus vir. † Xelw kexira vniptis, dákntulós te dákntulon. ‡ Candae pilos, equino paulatim oportet evallere.
డబ్బుకు ప్రాణానికి లంకె.
dabbuku prananiki lanke.
A link between money and life.
This expression highlights that money and life are deeply interconnected. It is used to describe situations where financial stability is essential for survival, or conversely, when one risks their life for financial gain. It implies that people value their wealth as much as their life, or that wealth is the 'lifeblood' of one's existence.
అంకెలలోని కోతి లంకంతా చెరిచిందట
ankelaloni koti lankanta cherichindata
The monkey in the lap ruined the whole of Lanka.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a single person, often someone who was initially trusted or sheltered, ends up causing widespread destruction or chaos to an entire group or organization. It is derived from the Ramayana, referring to Hanuman (the monkey) who, after being captured, set the entire city of Lanka on fire.
లంకంత కొంపలో చెట్టంత చీపురు.
lankanta kompalo chettanta chipuru.
A broom as big as a tree in a house as big as Lanka.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is extreme scarcity or disproportionate lack of resources in an otherwise large or grand setting. It refers to a huge house or family that lacks even basic necessities, or when something very small and insignificant is the only notable thing in a massive space.
రాత్రి జాగారం పగటి పని చెరిచిందట
ratri jagaram pagati pani cherichindata
Staying awake at night spoiled the day's work.
This expression is used to highlight how a lack of rest or improper timing can ruin productivity. Specifically, it points out that when someone stays up all night (often for unnecessary reasons), they end up being too exhausted or inefficient to perform their duties during the day.
లంకంత కొంప
lankanta kompa
A house as big as Lanka
This expression is used to describe a very large, spacious, or sprawling house. It draws a comparison to the mythical city of Lanka from the Ramayana, which was known for its immense size and grandeur. It is often used to emphasize that a house is disproportionately large for the number of people living in it or simply to remark on its vastness.
ఆశకూ దరిద్రానికీ లంకె.
ashaku daridraniki lanke.
Greed and poverty are linked.
This proverb suggests that no matter how much wealth one possesses, if they have insatiable greed, they are effectively 'poor' because they are never satisfied. It is used to describe people who are never content with what they have and always crave more.