బలుసులేని తద్దినమున్నూ బలుసులేని యజ్ఞమున్ను లేవు

This expression emphasizes that any prayer, ritual, or work performed without sincerity or a focused mind is useless. It is used to point out that devotion or effort is meaningless if it lacks genuine intent or concentration.

This expression refers to something that lacks its core essence or purpose. Just as a bell is useless if it cannot ring and a crop is worthless if it doesn't yield grain, any object or person that does not fulfill their fundamental function is considered ineffective or hollow. It is used to describe wasted effort or decorative things that have no practical value.

This expression is used to describe hypocritical behavior where a person ignores their own massive flaws or mistakes while criticizing others for very minor or insignificant faults. It is the Telugu equivalent of the 'mote and the beam' parable.

This is an agricultural proverb used to describe a bountiful harvest. It suggests that when the wild Balusu plant thrives and ripens well, it serves as a natural indicator that the grain crops (like millet or paddy) will also be extremely productive, with ears of grain hanging thick and long like heavy chains.

This proverb is used ironically or sarcastically to describe a situation that is incomplete or lacks its fundamental purpose. Just as a woman cannot be a mother without children, a grand event like a wedding is rarely free of some level of worry or responsibility. It implies that certain roles or events naturally come with inherent burdens or characteristics, and without them, the situation is paradoxical or meaningless.

This proverb highlights the feeling of isolation and lack of support. Just as a farm without a tree offers no shade or respite for a farmer, a village where one has no relatives or friends offers no emotional support or belonging. It is used to describe situations where one feels lonely or lacks a support system in a particular place.

This proverb describes a person with insatiable greed. Historically, oil-millers (Gandla caste) were associated with collecting small amounts from many people, and the saying implies that even a massive sack is insufficient to hold the extent of their desire or expectations. It is used to criticize someone whose greed has no bounds.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is deeply affected, controlled, or punished by words, social pressure, or psychological influence rather than physical force. It is often used to refer to a verbal reprimand or a situation where a person is bound by their own sense of duty or obligation without any physical constraints.

A sudden and unaccountable calamity.

This proverb is used to indicate that certain things are universal and inescapable. Just as you will find crows in every village, you will find noise, problems, or specific types of people everywhere you go. It suggests that one cannot find a 'perfect' place free from common disturbances.

This proverb highlights the futility or lack of purpose in certain situations. Just as a spinning wheel (raatamu) is useless without cotton slivers (eekulu) to spin, a domestic conflict or struggle (poratamu) in a household lacks traditional resolution or foundation in the absence of the husband (the head of the household in the historical context of the saying). It is used to describe a situation that is incomplete, ineffective, or leading nowhere.