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.
Related Phrases
ఏనుగు చచ్చినా బ్రతికినా వెయ్యివరహాలే
enugu chachchina bratikina veyyivarahale
An elephant is worth a thousand gold coins whether it is dead or alive.
This proverb is used to describe someone or something that possesses great value, prestige, or dignity regardless of their current circumstances or status. Just as an elephant's tusks and hide are valuable even after death, a great person's reputation or a valuable asset remains significant even when it is no longer functional or active.
ఇల్లు ఇచ్చినవానికి మజ్జిగ పోసినవానికి మంచిలేదు
illu ichchinavaniki majjiga posinavaniki manchiledu
There is no gratitude for the one who gave a house or for the one who served buttermilk.
This proverb highlights the irony of human ingratitude. It suggests that people often fail to show appreciation or give credit even to those who have provided significant help (like a home) or basic hospitality (like buttermilk). It is used when someone's kindness is met with indifference or negativity.
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.
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).
కాళ్ళ దగ్గరకు వచ్చిన బేరం కాశికి వెళ్ళినా దొరకదు.
kalla daggaraku vachchina beram kashiki vellina dorakadu.
A deal that comes to your feet cannot be found even if you go to Kashi.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of seizing an opportunity when it is right in front of you. If you neglect or reject a fortune or a good deal that comes to you easily, you may not find it again even if you travel long distances or make extreme efforts (symbolized by a pilgrimage to Kashi) to search for it.
ఇచ్చింది ఇచ్చి పుచ్చుకున్నట్లు
ichchindi ichchi puchchukunnatlu
Giving what was given and taking back what was taken
This expression is used to describe a situation where an exchange or transaction results in no net gain or change, essentially returning to the original state. It is often used to describe futile efforts or circular logic where one ends up exactly where they started.
వెయ్యిళ్ల పూజారి వెతికినా దొరకడు
veyyilla pujari vetikina dorakadu
A priest serving a thousand houses cannot be found even if you search.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely busy or in high demand because they serve too many people or handle too many responsibilities. It highlights that someone with too many commitments becomes unavailable or hard to reach when specifically needed.
పాగావంటి బంధువుడూ లేడు, అంగరకావంటి హరాంభోరూ లేడు.
pagavanti bandhuvudu ledu, angarakavanti harambhoru ledu.
There is no relation like your turband, there is no scamp equal to your jacket. A turband can be tied so as to hide all holes, which is not the case with the jacket; the turband is therefore likened to a trustworthy friend, and the jacket to an unfaithful fellow.
This is a traditional proverb reflecting on social status and the burden of maintenance. A turban (paga) represents one's honor and dignity, staying close like a loyal relative. In contrast, an 'Angaraka' (a traditional long coat) requires constant care and cleaning, much like a person who consumes resources without giving back (harambhoru/freeloader).
పాత దొంగ దొరకకపోడు
pata donga dorakakapodu
An old thief cannot avoid being caught forever.
This proverb suggests that no matter how experienced or clever a person is at committing wrongful acts, they will eventually be caught or their secrets will be exposed. It is used to imply that one's past misdeeds or habitual dishonesty will inevitably catch up with them.
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.