అరవై వరహాలు ఇచ్చినా అత్తవంటి బానిస దొరకదు
aravai varahalu ichchina attavanti banisa dorakadu
Although you pay sixty Pagodas, you cannot obtain as good a handmaid as your mother-in-law. Said jokingly of a mother-in-law not allowed to have the manage- ment of the house, but kept in subjection to her daughter-in-law.
This proverb is a sarcastic or satirical take on the traditional household dynamics. It suggests that a mother-in-law works tirelessly for the family's welfare, often doing more labor than a paid servant or slave ever would. It is used to highlight the selfless (or sometimes overbearing) dedication of a mother-in-law to her household.
Related Phrases
కాళ్ళ దగ్గరకు వచ్చిన బేరం, కాశీకి వెళ్ళినా దొరకదు
kalla daggaraku vachchina beram, kashiki vellina dorakadu
An opportunity that comes to your feet will not be found even if you go to Kashi.
This expression means that when a good opportunity or a profitable deal comes to you effortlessly, you should grab it immediately. If you neglect or reject it, you might not find such a great opportunity again, even if you travel far and wide or put in immense effort (symbolized by going to the holy city of Kashi).
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరకకపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakakapote dora
If caught, he is a thief; if not caught, he is a lord.
This proverb highlights the irony of social status based on being caught. It is used to describe a situation where someone's reputation depends entirely on whether their dishonest actions are discovered. As long as their crimes are hidden, they are respected as a gentleman or 'Dora' (lord), but the moment they are caught, they are labeled a thief.
దొరికితే దొంగ, దొరక్కపోతే దొర
dorikite donga, dorakkapote dora
If caught, a thief; if not caught, a lord.
This proverb is used to describe hypocritical people who maintain a respectable image in society as long as their misdeeds remain hidden. It implies that many people are only considered 'honorable' or 'gentlemen' because they haven't been caught yet, highlighting that status often depends on the public eye rather than true character.
దొరలు ఇచ్చిన పాలుకన్నా ధరణి ఇచ్చిన పాలు మేలు.
doralu ichchina palukanna dharani ichchina palu melu.
The share given by the earth is better than that given by the government. Free lands are better when fertile, than shares of grain allotted by government.
This proverb emphasizes self-reliance and the bounty of nature over patronage from the powerful. It suggests that what one earns through honest labor on their own land is superior and more sustainable than gifts or favors received from those in power, which often come with conditions or strings attached.
అరవై వరహాలు ఇచ్చినా అత్తవంటి బానిస దొరకదు
aravai varahalu ichchina attavanti banisa dorakadu
Even if you give sixty gold coins, you won't find a slave like a mother-in-law.
This proverb is often used ironically or sarcastically to highlight the tireless, unpaid labor a mother-in-law performs for her family. It suggests that her dedication and the variety of roles she fulfills (managing the household, caring for grandchildren, etc.) are so extensive that even a high-paid servant or slave could not match her contribution.
ఎవరు ఇచ్చినది ఈ మాన్యము అంటే, నేనే ఇచ్చుకున్నాను అన్నాడట.
evaru ichchinadi i manyamu ante, nene ichchukunnanu annadata.
When asked " Who gave you the freehold?" he said " I gave it to myself." Said of one who helps himself without regard to the law of meum and tuum.
This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks legitimate authority or external validation and instead relies on self-proclamations or self-awarded honors. It mocks those who boast about achievements or titles they have unilaterally claimed without any basis in truth or merit.
చాకలివాని భార్యకు మంగలివాడు విడాకులు ఇచ్చినట్లు
chakalivani bharyaku mangalivadu vidakulu ichchinatlu
Like the barber's giving a written divorcement to the washerwoman's wife.
This expression is used to describe an absurd or illogical situation where a person interferes in a matter that they have absolutely no authority or legal standing over. It refers to someone trying to settle or decide an issue that does not involve them at all.
కొంగు తాకితే కోటి వరహాలు
kongu takite koti varahalu
A touch of the sari's edge is worth ten million gold coins.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stingy or protective of their wealth. It implies that the person is so miserly that even a slight accidental contact with them or their clothing is treated as a major loss or a demand for a fortune. It can also sarcastically describe someone who thinks too highly of their own value or status.
వచ్చీరాని మాట వరహాల మూట.
vachchirani mata varahala muta.
Words that are barely formed are like a bundle of gold coins.
This expression is used to describe the broken or half-formed speech of young children. Just as a bundle of gold (varahalu) is precious, the innocent and stuttering attempts of a child trying to talk are considered delightful, sweet, and invaluable to hear.
వీసము ఇచ్చి వాసానికి వచ్చేవాడు
visamu ichchi vasaniki vachchevadu
One who gives a Visam and expects a Vâsam.
This proverb describes a person who provides a very small or insignificant amount of help (a 'veesamu' was a tiny unit of currency) and expects an exorbitantly large return or attempts to take over a significant asset (the house beam). It is used to caution against opportunistic people who leverage minor favors to gain major control.
— Vâsam is a rafter ; ( the original word has been retained to preserve the jingle . )