భక్తిలేని పూజ పత్రి చేటు

bhaktileni puja patri chetu

Translation

A prayer without devotion is a waste of leaves.

Meaning

This proverb suggests that performing rituals or tasks without genuine intent or sincerity is a waste of resources and effort. Just as offering leaves (patri) during worship is useless if one lacks devotion (bhakti), any action done mechanically without heart is unproductive.

Related Phrases

It is wrong to live in a village that has no protection; it is wrong [ for a woman ] to ask [ for any thing ] in the house where she was born if there is no love [ for her ].

This proverb emphasizes self-respect and practicality. It suggests that one should not reside in a place where there is no protection or community support. Similarly, it warns against asking for help or favors from relatives (specifically one's natal home) who no longer show love or willingness to give, as it only leads to humiliation.

If a cow fasts for one meal, or if a Brahmin fasts for one meal, it equals a 'manedu' (a specific measure).

This proverb highlights that certain entities suffer significant loss or cause significant loss even with a small deprivation. For a cattle (pasaram), missing one meal affects its strength and milk yield immediately; for a Brahmin (traditionally dependent on ritual meals), missing one meal is considered a great loss of merit or hospitality. It is used to describe situations where even a small lapse can result in a substantial measurable deficit.

Worship without devotion is a waste of leaves,

For a true worship of gods, it is not the external paraphernalia that is as important as devotion.

A mindless word, a tuneless song.

This expression is used to describe something that lacks sense, logic, or harmony. Just as a song without a proper scale (shruti) is unpleasant to hear, words spoken without thought or intelligence are useless and irritating. It is often used to dismiss nonsensical arguments or irrelevant chatter.

A squirrel's devotion

This expression refers to contributing one's small or humble part towards a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used to describe a modest contribution made with sincere dedication.

A squirrel performs a squirrel's service. The squirrels are said to have assisted Râma in building the bridge at Râméśvaram by dipping themselves into the water and then rolling in sand, which they brought for the mortar. Willingly doing what one can.

This expression is used to describe a small contribution or help offered towards a larger cause or project. It originates from the Ramayana, where a squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying small grains of sand. It signifies that even a tiny effort, when done with sincerity and devotion, is valuable and significant.

The leaves (offerings) are on the God, but the devotion is on the sandals.

This expression is used to describe a person who is physically performing a task or ritual but is mentally distracted by something else, often material or worldly concerns. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of focus, similar to the English idea of 'going through the motions' while your mind is elsewhere.

Squirrel's devotion

This expression is used to describe a small but sincere contribution to a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used when someone wants to humbly acknowledge that while their help might be minimal in the grand scheme of things, it is offered with great sincerity.

A helpless woman will get a foolish husband.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an already difficult or miserable circumstance is made worse by poor companionship or inadequate support. It signifies the misfortune of someone who, being in a vulnerable state, ends up with a partner or resource that is incompetent or useless.

A worship without sacred leaves, a debt without a written document.

This proverb highlights the importance of necessary prerequisites or evidence. Just as a Hindu ritual (pooja) is considered incomplete without offering sacred leaves (patri), a financial loan (appu) given without a legal document or promissory note (patram) is insecure and lacks validity. It is used to advise someone to ensure proper documentation or to follow essential procedures to ensure a task's success or security.