అసలు దేవుడు మూలబడితే, హనుమంతరాయనికి తెప్పతిరునాళ్ళట
asalu devudu mulabadite, hanumantarayaniki teppatirunallata
While the main deity is relegated to a corner, the secondary deity (Hanuman) gets a grand boat festival.
This expression is used to describe a situation where the primary person or the most important matter is neglected or ignored, while undue importance or celebration is given to someone or something of lesser significance.
Related Phrases
ఆలులేనివానికి హనుమంతరాయని గుడి, బిడియమిడిచినవాడికి వీరప్పగుడి శరణ్యం
alulenivaniki hanumantarayani gudi, bidiyamidichinavadiki virappagudi sharanyam
For a man without a wife, Hanuman temple is the refuge; for a man who has lost all shame, Veerappa temple is the refuge.
This proverb highlights social realities of the past. It suggests that a single man (bachelor or widower) often spends his time at the local Hanuman temple for companionship or food, while a person who has discarded social inhibitions or decorum ends up at shrines of fierce or peripheral deities (Veerappa), implying they have no place in polite society.
అగస్త్య భ్రాత ఎవడంటే, హనుమాయమ్మ మొగుడన్నాడట
agastya bhrata evadante, hanumayamma mogudannadata
When asked who Agastya's brother was, he replied 'Hanumayamma's husband'.
This proverb is used to describe someone who gives a completely irrelevant, absurd, or ignorant answer to a question. It highlights the vast disconnect between a person's lack of knowledge and the topic being discussed, as Agastya is a mythological sage and Hanumayamma is a common local name.
తోక లేదు గాని హనుమంతునంత బంటు
toka ledu gani hanumantunanta bantu
He has no tail, but he is as great a servant (or warrior) as Hanuman.
This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally capable, hardworking, or loyal, comparing them to the legendary Hanuman despite lacking the physical attribute (the tail). It is often used to praise someone's strength and dedication.
హక్కు హనుమంతరాయనిది, అనుభవం చెన్నారాయనిది.
hakku hanumantarayanidi, anubhavam chennarayanidi.
The right belongs to Hanumantharayudu, but the enjoyment belongs to Chennarayudu.
This proverb describes a situation where one person holds the legal right or title to something, while another person actually enjoys the benefits or fruits of it. It is used to point out discrepancies between ownership and actual possession or usage.
మూలవిరాట్టు తిరిపమెత్తుకొంటుంటే ఉత్సవ విగ్రహాలకు తెప్ప తిరునాళ్ళట
mulavirattu tiripamettukontunte utsava vigrahalaku teppa tirunallata
While the main deity is begging for alms, the processional idols are demanding a boat festival.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the main authority or the person responsible for everyone's welfare is struggling for basic survival, yet their subordinates or dependents are demanding luxuries and celebrations. It highlights the irony of people being oblivious to a crisis and making unreasonable demands.
ఏరు దాటిన తర్వాత తెప్ప తగలబెట్టినట్లు
eru datina tarvata teppa tagalabettinatlu
Like burning the raft after crossing the river
This expression describes a person who displays extreme ingratitude or selfishness. It refers to someone who uses others' help or resources to overcome a difficult situation and then immediately discards or destroys those resources (or cuts ties with the helper) once their purpose is served, showing no regard for future needs or the kindness received.
రాముని వంటి రాజుంటే, హనుమంతుని వంటి బంటు ఉంటాడు
ramuni vanti rajunte, hanumantuni vanti bantu untadu
If there is a king like Rama, there will be a servant like Hanuman.
This expression highlights the reciprocal relationship between a leader and a follower. It suggests that a noble, just, and great leader (like Lord Rama) will naturally inspire and command the absolute loyalty, dedication, and strength of an extraordinary subordinate (like Hanuman). It is used to imply that the quality of a team or worker often reflects the quality of their leadership.
దిగులు పడితే, వెతలు తీరునా?
digulu padite, vetalu tiruna?
If you fear, will the pain be less?
This expression is used to advise someone that worrying or being anxious about a problem does not solve it. It emphasizes that constant worrying is futile and only action or time can heal difficulties. It is similar to the English sentiment 'Worrying doesn't take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace.'
మల నల్లబడితే వాన, చన్ను నల్లబడితే బిడ్డ
mala nallabadite vana, channu nallabadite bidda
If the mountain turns black, it rains; if the nipple turns black, a child is coming.
This is a traditional folk saying (Sameta) used to describe natural signs of inevitable events. It compares the darkening of clouds over mountains (signaling rain) to the physiological changes in a woman's breast during pregnancy (signaling a baby). It highlights the predictability of nature and life through observation.
తిక్కలవాడు తిరునాళ్ళకు పోతే, ఎక్కాదిగా ఏడునాళ్ళు పట్టిందట.
tikkalavadu tirunallaku pote, ekkadiga edunallu pattindata.
When a foolish man went to a fair, it took him seven days just to climb up.
This proverb is used to describe an eccentric or foolish person who gets distracted or stuck on a simple, initial task, taking an excessive amount of time to accomplish something that should be quick. It mocks those who lack focus or common sense in practical situations.