అర్జీలకు పనులు కావు, ఆశీర్వచనాలకు బిడ్డలు పుట్టరు.
arjilaku panulu kavu, ashirvachanalaku biddalu puttaru.
Petitions do not get work done, and blessings do not produce children.
This proverb emphasizes that mere requests or passive well-wishes are insufficient for success. It highlights the necessity of practical action and effort (and in certain contexts, bribery or influence in bureaucracy) over formal paperwork or spiritual gestures to achieve tangible results.
Related Phrases
కొడుకు బిడ్డకు, కూతురు బిడ్డకు తాత ఒకడే
koduku biddaku, kuturu biddaku tata okade
For the son's child and the daughter's child, the grandfather is the same.
This proverb is used to emphasize impartiality and equality in family relationships. It points out that a grandfather shares the same biological bond with all his grandchildren, regardless of whether they are born to his son or his daughter, suggesting that one should not show favoritism based on lineage.
పుట్టని బిడ్డకు పూసలు కట్టినట్టు
puttani biddaku pusalu kattinattu
Tying beads round an unborn child.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes elaborate plans or preparations for something that has not yet happened or may never happen. It is similar to the English expression 'Counting your chickens before they hatch.'
Don't reckon your eggs before they are laid. ( Latin. )*
పుట్టని బిడ్డకు పేరు పెట్టడం
puttani biddaku peru pettadam
He gives a name to an unborn child.
This expression is used to describe someone who makes elaborate plans or celebrates a result before it has actually happened. It refers to premature planning or counting your chickens before they hatch.
To celebrate the triumph before the victory. ( Latin. )† * Far conta dell' uovo non ancor nato, † Ante victoriam canere triumphum. 33
అర్జీల వల్ల పనులూ కావు, ఆశీర్వాదాల వల్ల బిడ్డలూ పుట్టరు.
arjila valla panulu kavu, ashirvadala valla biddalu puttaru.
Work does not get done through petitions alone, and children are not born through blessings alone.
This proverb emphasizes the necessity of practical action and effort over mere formality or faith. It is used to point out that success requires hard work and physical initiative, rather than just submitting requests or waiting for divine intervention/luck.
మేకకు మెడచన్నులు, తాళ్లకు తలచన్నులు
mekaku medachannulu, tallaku talachannulu
Neck-teats for a goat, head-teats for a palm tree.
This expression refers to things that are useless or serve no practical purpose, despite being part of the structure. Just as the fleshy appendages on a goat's neck or the growths on top of a palm tree produce no milk, this phrase is used to describe redundant features, useless efforts, or people in positions of authority who have no actual power or utility.
చేసిన పాపాలకు పెట్టిన దీపాలకు సరి
chesina papalaku pettina dipalaku sari
The sins committed and the lamps lit are equal.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the bad deeds or mistakes someone has committed are roughly offset or balanced out by their attempts at atonement or good deeds. It is often used sarcastically to imply that someone's superficial rituals or minor good acts are just barely covering up their significant wrongdoings, or that the accounts of good and bad have been settled.
అడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలు కానీ గడ్డాలనాడు బిడ్డలా?
addalanadu biddalu kani gaddalanadu biddala?
Children when held in the arms (infancy) are children, but are they still (obedient) children when they grow beards?
This proverb highlights the changing nature of children as they grow up. It suggests that while children are easy to manage and dependent when they are infants (held in a cloth cradle or 'addalu'), they become independent, headstrong, or even ungrateful once they reach adulthood (represented by 'gaddalu' or beards). It is used to express a parent's frustration when adult children no longer listen or follow their guidance.
పుట్టని బిడ్డకు పేరు వెతకడం
puttani biddaku peru vetakadam
Searching for a name for a baby who is not yet born.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes plans or arrangements for something that hasn't happened yet or is far from certain. It refers to being overly optimistic or premature in one's actions before the foundation is even laid.
వానలకు మఖ, కుక్కలకు చిత్త.
vanalaku makha, kukkalaku chitta.
For rains Makha, for dogs Chitta.
This proverb refers to the Indian astrological lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It suggests that the Makha Nakshatra period is known for heavy rainfall, while the Chitta Nakshatra period is associated with the breeding season or increased activity of dogs. It is used to describe the characteristic traits or expected behaviors of specific seasonal periods.
పుట్టని బిడ్డకు పూసలు గట్టినట్లు
puttani biddaku pusalu gattinatlu
Like tying beads for a child who is not yet born
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone makes elaborate preparations or celebrations for something that has not happened yet or whose outcome is uncertain. It is similar to the English proverb 'Don't count your chickens before they hatch'.