బాగైన సొమ్ములెన్ని ఉన్నా మంగళసూత్రమగునా?

bagaina sommulenni unna mangalasutramaguna?

Translation

No matter how many fine ornaments one has, can any of them become the Mangalasutra?

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that every object or person has a specific, unique role and value that cannot be replaced by others, regardless of how expensive or superior the alternatives might be. In a traditional context, it highlights that regular jewelry (wealth) cannot replace the sacred significance of the wedding thread (Mangalasutra).

Related Phrases

Thieves' wealth ends up in the hands of rulers.

This proverb suggests that ill-gotten gains or stolen wealth never stay with the person who took it; instead, it eventually gets confiscated by authorities or lost to those in power. It is used to imply that money earned through dishonest means will ultimately be wasted or taken away.

They forgot the Mangala Sutra in the noise of the wedding music.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone gets so caught up in trivial or peripheral activities and celebrations that they forget the most essential or core task at hand. It highlights poor prioritization or losing focus due to distractions.

One's own money on Monday, others' money on Tuesday

This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (Monday), but becomes incredibly reckless and extravagant when spending money belonging to others or the public (Tuesday). It is used to criticize those who do not value others' wealth as much as their own.

One's own money is ginger, others' money is jaggery

This proverb describes a selfish or miserly person who finds it painful to spend their own money (comparing it to the pungent, sharp taste of ginger) but finds great sweetness and pleasure in spending or using others' resources (comparing it to the sweetness of jaggery).

One should save their own money on Friday and others' money on Tuesday.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocritical or selfish behavior. It describes a person who is very careful with their own wealth but is quick to hide or appropriate wealth belonging to others. It mocks the tendency of people to be stingy with their own assets while being greedy or dishonest regarding common or someone else's resources.

The property of others is Pêlapindi, his own property is the property of God. It is kept as sacred as that which has been offered to the deity.— Pêlapindi is flour made of fried grain.

This proverb describes a hypocritical and selfish attitude where a person treats others' belongings as cheap or easily disposable while considering their own possessions as sacred and untouchable. It is used to criticize people who are extravagant with others' money but extremely stingy with their own.

Wealth gained from gambling and illicit means will not last.

This proverb is used to warn that money earned through gambling (Rangamu) or deceptive, easy, or unethical ways (Tinku) is never permanent. It suggests that only hard-earned money stays with a person, while ill-gotten gains disappear as quickly as they were acquired.

One's own money is Monday, others' money is Tuesday.

This proverb describes a hypocritical or selfish attitude towards money and resources. It refers to a person who is very stingy and careful when spending their own money (saving it for later), but very reckless or eager when spending money belonging to others. It is used to criticize someone who takes advantage of others' generosity while being miserly themselves.

Others' wealth is sinful wealth

This proverb warns that taking or coveting wealth that belongs to others brings bad luck or misfortune. It emphasizes that ill-gotten gains or money belonging to others will never bring true happiness or prosperity to the one who takes it, often used to teach integrity and honesty.

The one who is liked by the heart is the husband, not just the one who ties the mangalsutra.

This expression emphasizes that true companionship and a husband's status are earned through love, mutual understanding, and emotional connection rather than through the mere ritual of marriage or tying a sacred thread. It is used to highlight that legal or ritualistic bonding is secondary to emotional compatibility.