ఆరుగురు బిడ్డల తల్లికి ముగ్గురు బిడ్డల తల్లి ముక్కు నేర్పిందట

aruguru biddala talliki mugguru biddala talli mukku nerpindata

Translation

The mother of three children supposedly taught how to blow her nose to the mother of six children.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an inexperienced person tries to give advice or instructions to someone who is much more experienced and knowledgeable in that specific field. It highlights the irony of a novice teaching a veteran.

Related Phrases

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.

If one gives birth to three daughters, even a rich old man will be reduced to nothing.

This traditional proverb reflects the historical socioeconomic burden of the dowry system and wedding expenses in India. It suggests that the financial strain of marrying off three daughters can lead to total poverty, regardless of one's initial wealth or status.

One who doesn't feed his own mother is said to buy a saree for his maternal aunt.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who neglects their fundamental duties or those closest to them, yet tries to gain a good reputation by performing grand gestures for others or distant relatives. It highlights the irony of showing off generosity to the world while failing to meet basic responsibilities at home.

A wife who is of no use should be abandoned, even if she is the mother of six children.

This proverb emphasizes that someone who does not help or stand by you in times of need is a burden, regardless of their status or the history shared with them. It is used to suggest that reliability and support are more valuable than mere titles or past contributions in a relationship or partnership.

A stone design and a monkey's design

This expression refers to something that is messy, disorganized, or poorly executed. It compares a drawing or task to a pattern made by a monkey or on rough stone, implying it lacks clarity, beauty, or skill. It is often used to describe bad handwriting or a chaotic situation.

If one gives birth to three daughters, even an old man becomes useless.

This traditional Telugu proverb reflects the historical socioeconomic burden of marrying off three daughters. It suggests that the expenses and responsibilities associated with the weddings and dowries of three girls would drain a family's wealth so entirely that even a wealthy or stable man (metaphorically the 'old man') would be rendered penniless or ruined.

While his wife and children were wandering with begging bowls, he went to Rameshwaram praying for a concubine to have children.

This proverb describes a person who ignores their immediate and primary responsibilities (like taking care of their own family) to focus on unnecessary, inappropriate, or secondary matters. It is used to mock someone's misplaced priorities and hypocrisy.

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.

When the biological mother's stomach was burning (with hunger), the stepmother's butt was burning.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is truly suffering or in need is ignored, while someone else makes a frivolous or exaggerated complaint to gain attention or compete. It highlights the contrast between genuine distress and fake or disproportionate grievances.

While the seal is still intact, she became a mother of three children.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone claims to have done something impossible or where results have appeared suspiciously fast without the necessary process. It refers to maintaining a facade of innocence or purity (the seal) while the reality (three children) suggests otherwise. It is often used to highlight hypocrisy or blatant lies regarding one's conduct.