ఆయుష్యం ఆరుపాళ్ళు, యాతన ఏడుపాళ్ళు.

ayushyam arupallu, yatana edupallu.

Translation

Life is six parts, while suffering is seven parts.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a life where the hardships and suffering outweigh the actual lifespan or the moments of peace. It conveys the sentiment that existence is filled with more misery than joy, often used when someone feels overwhelmed by continuous troubles.

Related Phrases

If one has a strong lifespan, they will survive even if fed only ground starch (ganji).

This proverb conveys that if it is someone's destiny to live, they will survive even the most dire circumstances or extreme poverty. It is often used to express faith in fate or resilience during life-threatening situations where medical or material resources are scarce.

Feet when time is unfavorable, stones when time is favorable.

This proverb describes opportunistic behavior or hypocrisy. It refers to a person who acts humble and bows to others' feet when they are in trouble or need help, but turns arrogant and throws stones (attacks or insults) once they are in a powerful position or the situation favors them.

A mouth full of teeth, a town full of debts.

This proverb is used to describe someone who smiles or talks excessively to hide their financial troubles, or someone who maintains an outward appearance of cheerfulness despite being heavily indebted to many people in the community.

Like blessing oneself with long life and the other with good health.

This proverb describes a situation where a person creates a deal or an arrangement that appears mutual but is primarily self-serving. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be fair while ensuring they get the better or more fundamental part of the bargain.

The principal is three parts, but the interest is six parts.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where the secondary costs or side effects of a situation far exceed the primary cost or the original intent. It is often applied when the maintenance of an item costs more than the item itself, or when the complications of a task outweigh the task's actual value.

Seven times thinner than a hair, seven times thicker than a pestle.

This expression is used to describe something that is highly unpredictable, inconsistent, or extremely versatile in nature. It refers to situations or entities that can fluctuate between extremes—being incredibly delicate or subtle at one moment and heavy or blunt the next. It is often used to describe the complexities of human nature or the unpredictable twists of fate.

A potful of milk in a donkey's udder

This expression is used to describe something that is inherently useless or impossible to benefit from, despite its apparent abundance or value. Even if a donkey produces a large quantity of milk, it is culturally considered unusable or impure in this context. It signifies wasting effort on something that yields no practical result.

Six parts for Hasta, three parts for Chitta.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansions (Nakshatras) and rainfall. It suggests that during the 'Hasta' rain season, there will be six parts of rain (heavy rainfall), whereas during the 'Chitta' season, there will be only three parts (moderate rainfall). It is used by farmers to predict water availability for their crops.

If power is six parts, the hair (insult/nothingness) is three parts.

This proverb is used to mock someone who boasts about having great authority but possesses very little actual substance or wealth. It implies that despite the high position or show of power, the actual benefits or personal worth are meager and disproportionate.

Let me have long life! let me have health!

This is a traditional benediction or self-blessing often recited during rituals or as a daily prayer. 'Ayushyam' refers to longevity, and 'Arogyam' refers to health. It is used to invoke divine blessings for a long, disease-free life.

A selfish man blessing himself. Priests bless themselves first. (German.)* * Pfaffen segnen sich zuerst.