ఆవుల మళ్లించినవాడు అర్జునుడు

This expression originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Arjuna's feat of retrieving stolen cattle during the Virata Parva. It is used to describe a person who proves their true competence or heroism by successfully completing a difficult task or solving a crisis, rather than just talking about it.

This proverb highlights that a person suffering from a disease and a person forced into unpaid manual labor (vetti) share a similar plight—both lose their freedom of will and are under a constant state of suffering or compulsion. It is used to describe situations where a person has no choice but to endure hardship.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's small mistake or vulnerability is immediately taken advantage of by another person, or when someone is interrupted at a very awkward moment. It refers to the act of hitting or shutting someone's mouth right when they have it wide open to yawn.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where great or powerful entities have fallen or perished, while small, insignificant, or weak entities are thriving or taking over. It highlights the irony of time or circumstances where the mighty fail and the lowly flourish.

This proverb originates from the Mahabharata, referring to Arjuna's victory in retrieving the stolen cattle during the Virata Parva. It is used to emphasize that the person who successfully completes a difficult task or delivers results in a crisis is the one who truly deserves the credit and title of a hero, regardless of past reputation or talk.

This proverb emphasizes that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not have the power to change one's destiny or physical life. It is used to suggest that one shouldn't take verbal abuse too deeply to heart, nor should one rely solely on praise or blessings without personal effort.

This proverb is used to suggest that words alone—whether insults or blessings—do not determine a person's fate or lifespan. It emphasizes that one should not take curses to heart or rely solely on blessings, but rather focus on reality and one's own actions.

* Van dreigen sterft man neit.

This expression refers to a traditional belief that reciting the many names of the warrior Arjuna (like Phalguna) protects one from lightning. In a broader sense, it is used to describe someone who tries to use charms, prayers, or shortcuts at the last minute to escape an inevitable danger or a situation they are afraid of.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.