అశ్వమేధయాగం చేయవచ్చుగాని, ఆడపిల్ల పెళ్లి చేయలేము.
ashvamedhayagam cheyavachchugani, adapilla pelli cheyalemu.
One can perform the Ashwamedha sacrifice, but one cannot conduct a daughter's wedding.
This proverb highlights the immense financial burden, complexity, and social responsibility involved in performing a daughter's wedding in traditional society. It suggests that even the most difficult or grand Vedic rituals (like the Ashwamedha Yaga) are easier to manage than the endless arrangements and lifelong obligations associated with marrying off a daughter.
Related Phrases
సముద్రమైనా ఈతవచ్చుగాని, సంసారమీదలేము
samudramaina itavachchugani, samsaramidalemu
One can swim across even an ocean, but one cannot swim across the ocean of worldly/family life.
This proverb highlights the immense difficulties and endless responsibilities involved in managing a family and worldly affairs (Samsara). It suggests that physical challenges, like swimming across a vast sea, might be achievable with effort, but the complex emotional and financial struggles of life are far more daunting and difficult to overcome.
చేయలేనమ్మకు చేతినిండా పని.
cheyalenammaku chetininda pani.
For the woman who doesn't want to work, her hands are always full of work.
This proverb is used to describe people who are lazy or unwilling to work, but constantly complain about having too much to do as an excuse to avoid their responsibilities. It highlights how someone can make themselves appear busy just to escape actual productivity.
కండ్లు మూయించవచ్చునుగాని, కలలు గనేటట్లు చేయగలమా?
kandlu muyinchavachchunugani, kalalu ganetatlu cheyagalama?
You can make someone close their eyes, but can you make them dream?
This expression highlights the limits of control and coercion. While you can force someone to perform an external action or follow a rule, you cannot control their internal thoughts, imagination, or true desires. It is often used to emphasize that genuine inspiration or vision cannot be forced.
ఎల్లిని మల్లిచేయు మల్లిని ఎల్లిచేయు
ellini mallicheyu mallini ellicheyu
Turning Elli into Malli and Malli into Elli
This expression describes the act of causing total confusion or manipulating facts to make things unrecognizable. It is used when someone twists the truth, swaps identities, or complicates a simple situation to the point where the original context is lost. Often used to describe cunning or deceptive behavior.
బతికి చెడిన వారితో బంధుత్వం చేయవచ్చును గాని చెడి బ్రతికిన వారితో చేయరాదు
batiki chedina varito bandhutvam cheyavachchunu gani chedi bratikina varito cheyaradu
One can have a relationship with those who were once wealthy and became poor, but one should not with those who were poor and became wealthy.
This proverb suggests that people who have fallen from a high status usually retain their values, culture, and humility. In contrast, those who suddenly gain wealth after being poor might become arrogant, boastful, or lack the character to handle their new status appropriately. It is a cautionary advice on choosing associations based on character and background rather than current financial standing.
తన గుణము మంచిదయితే, సానివాడలో గూడ కాపురం చేయవచ్చును.
tana gunamu manchidayite, sanivadalo guda kapuram cheyavachchunu.
If one's own character is good, one can live even in a neighborhood of ill-repute.
This proverb emphasizes that personal integrity and character are internal traits that do not depend on one's surroundings. If a person is truly virtuous, they will remain untainted and honorable regardless of the environment or the company they are forced to keep. It is used to suggest that strong moral fiber protects an individual from external negative influences.
చిన్న ఇల్లు కట్టుకొని, పెద్ద కాపురం చేయవలె
chinna illu kattukoni, pedda kapuram cheyavale
Build a small house, but lead a large family life.
This proverb advises financial prudence and modesty. It suggests that one should build a small, affordable house within their means, but focus on building a large, happy, and prosperous family or household within it. It emphasizes prioritizing people and relationships over grand material possessions.
రూకలేని వాడు పోక చేయలేడు.
rukaleni vadu poka cheyaledu.
A person without a coin cannot even buy a betel nut.
This proverb highlights the importance of money for even the smallest tasks or necessities. It suggests that without financial resources, one's ability to act or progress in the world is severely limited, emphasizing that money is a fundamental requirement for basic transactions.
ఆడపిల్ల పెళ్ళి అడుగుదొరకని బావి, అంతం చూసేవే.
adapilla pelli adugudorakani bavi, antam chuseve.
A girl's wedding is like a well with no bottom; you can only see it through to the end.
This proverb highlights the immense and seemingly never-ending expenses, responsibilities, and emotional complexities involved in performing a daughter's wedding in traditional society. It suggests that once the process begins, it drains resources like a bottomless pit until the very final ritual is completed.
ఉల్లి చేసిన మేలు తల్లి కూడా చేయదు
ulli chesina melu talli kuda cheyadu
The good that an onion does, even a mother cannot do.
This is a popular Telugu proverb highlighting the immense medicinal and health benefits of onions. It suggests that while a mother is the most selfless caretaker, the therapeutic properties of onions are so unique and powerful for the human body that they provide benefits even a mother's care cannot replicate.