అంతా శ్రీ వైష్ణవులే కానీ, బుట్టెడు రొయ్యలు ఏమైనాయో!

anta shri vaishnavule kani, buttedu royyalu emainayo!

Translation

Everyone is a Sri Vaishnava, but what happened to the basketful of prawns?

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

It is not in the external stamps, but in the source itself.

This expression highlights that true devotion or character lies in one's core values and heart rather than external symbols, rituals, or religious markings (like the Shanka and Chakra seals). It is used to suggest that inner purity is more important than outward appearance.

Like tying prawns around a cat's neck

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.

The abode of wealth or prosperity

Literally meaning the dwelling place of Lakshmi (Goddess of wealth), it is used to describe a place or person that is highly auspicious, prosperous, and abundant. It is often used as a name or to denote divine residency.

A person who converts to Vaishnavism midway through life wears excessive religious marks.

This expression is used to describe someone who has recently acquired wealth, status, or a new belief and flaunts it excessively. It suggests that those who are 'new' to a position often show off more than those who have been in that position for a long time.

Like a basket of prawns in the midst of Sri Vaishnavites

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.

Lingayya is not found among Vaishnavites, but Ramalingayya is found among Shaivites.

This saying highlights the inclusiveness or syncretism of certain traditions over others. While Shaivites (worshippers of Shiva) often incorporate names of Vishnu (like Rama in Ramalingayya), Vaishnavites (worshippers of Vishnu) traditionally strictly avoid names associated with Shiva (like Lingayya). It is used to describe a situation where one side is more accommodating or pluralistic than the other.

Everyone is a devout Vaishnavite, but the basket of prawns has disappeared.

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.

Everyone is a Srivaishnava, then what happened to the basket of prawns?

This proverb is used to point out hypocrisy or double standards. Srivaishnavas are traditionally strictly vegetarian. The saying describes a situation where everyone claims to be pious and pure, yet a basket of non-vegetarian food (prawns) has gone missing, implying that someone is lying about their true actions or character.

Like tying Rudrakshas around the neck of a Vaishnavite.

This expression describes a situation where something completely inappropriate, contradictory, or incompatible is forced upon a person or a situation. Since Rudraksha beads are symbols of Shaivism and are generally avoided by devout Vaishnavites, it represents a profound mismatch of traditions or values.

There are Sri Vaishnavas all around, but when looked for, the toddy pot is missing.

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.