అర్థమూ, ప్రాణమూ ఆచార్యాధీనము; తాళమూ, దేహమూ నా ఆధీనము.

This proverb highlights the vital importance of certain elements to an entity's existence. Just as an elephant depends entirely on its trunk for survival and strength, a household's prosperity (Sri) is believed to reside in and depend upon the character, conduct, and well-being of the woman of the house.

This proverb suggests that having financial debt is as painful and dangerous as having a physical wound. Both need to be treated or cleared as quickly as possible, otherwise they will fester and cause greater trouble over time. It is used to emphasize the importance of being debt-free.

This is a humorous and sarcastic proverb describing a person who pretends to surrender everything to a teacher or guru but remains secretly greedy and selfish. It highlights hypocrisy where one claims to give up 'abstract' things like the soul, while keeping physical control over 'tangible' assets like money (the lock to the chest) and physical comforts.

This expression is used to describe someone who makes excuses to avoid leaving or starting a task until they have eaten. It highlights people who prioritize food over their responsibilities or scheduled departures, often lingering for a meal while claiming they are about to leave.

This proverb is a humorous take on hypocritical devotion or selective surrender. It describes a person who claims to surrender everything valuable (like life and wealth) to a mentor or God for the sake of appearance, but in reality, keeps the physical control (the key to the chest) and their own comfort firmly in their own hands. It is used to mock people who act as if they are selfless but remain deeply possessive and untrusting.

This proverb is used to criticize or mock ineffective or disorganized leadership. It suggests that just as a temple priest (Tambali) is not traditionally seen as a ruling authority, certain types of management might be weak, fussy, or lack real power, leading to chaos or poor results.

This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.

This proverb is used to describe a person who prioritizes his wife and finds her sweet (like jaggery) while neglecting his mother or viewing her as a burden/troublemaker (like a ghost). It is typically used as a criticism of someone who forgets their filial duties after marriage.

This expression lists four distinct, often incompatible or extreme characteristics. It is used to describe a volatile mix of traits or a situation involving dangerous elements (the cobra/anger) and weak or stubborn elements (the coward/the bull). In literature, it is sometimes part of a verse describing unpredictable or untrustworthy entities.

This proverb highlights the destructive nature of financial debt, comparing it to a battlefield. Just as war brings anxiety, struggle, and potential ruin, being in debt creates constant stress and can destroy one's peace of mind and livelihood.