బోడిలో చల్లేదానికంటే దిబ్బలో చల్లేది మేలు
bodilo challedanikante dibbalo challedi melu
It is better to scatter on a dung heap than to scatter on a bald head.
This proverb is used to describe a futile effort or helping someone who is ungrateful or incapable of improvement. Just as seeds sown on a bald head are wasted and won't grow, whereas even on a rubbish heap (dibba) they might at least serve as fertilizer or sprout, it suggests that your resources or efforts are better spent anywhere else rather than on a completely useless or unappreciative person.
Related Phrases
ఉత్తరలో చల్లితే ఊల తగులును
uttaralo challite ula tagulunu
If sown during the Uttara Nakshatra, it will be affected by smut/pests.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansion (Nakshatra) calendar. It warns farmers that sowing seeds during the Uttara period often leads to crop diseases like grain smut (Ula), suggesting that the timing is unfavorable for a healthy harvest.
మఘలో చల్లిన విత్తనాల మచ్చలు కనబడతాయి.
maghalo challina vittanala machchalu kanabadatayi.
Seeds sown during the Magha season will show their spots.
This agricultural proverb signifies that seeds sown during the Magha rain cycle (Karthi) do not yield a proper harvest; rather, they fail or remain as mere spots in the soil. It is used to emphasize the importance of timing and that efforts made at the wrong time lead to wasted labor and failure.
కడుపులో చల్ల కదల కుండా
kadupulo challa kadala kunda
Without the buttermilk in the stomach even moving
This expression is used to describe a state of absolute comfort, ease, or luxury where a person doesn't have to perform any physical labor or face any hardships. It literally suggests a life so stable and smooth that even the liquid in one's stomach remains undisturbed.
ఉత్తరలో చల్లిన పైరు, కత్తెరలో నరికిన కొయ్య.
uttaralo challina pairu, katteralo narikina koyya.
A crop sown during the Uttara Nakshatra is like wood cut with scissors.
This is an agricultural proverb implying that crops sown during the Uttara rain (Karti) grow very strong, sturdy, and yield high results, comparing their strength to hard timber. It highlights the importance of seasonal timing in farming.
హస్తలో అడ్జెడు చల్లేకంటే, చిత్తలో చిట్టెడు చల్లేది మేలు.
hastalo adjedu challekante, chittalo chittedu challedi melu.
Sowing a small measure in the Chitta season is better than sowing a large measure in the Hasta season.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It emphasizes the importance of timing over quantity. In the context of farming, the weather conditions during 'Chitta' are considered much more favorable for crops than 'Hasta'. Therefore, even a small effort at the right time yields better results than a massive effort at the wrong time.
అదును చూచి పొదలో చల్లినా పండుతుంది
adunu chuchi podalo challina pandutundi
If sown at the right time, even seeds cast in a bush will yield a harvest.
This proverb emphasizes the critical importance of timing and opportunity. It suggests that when the conditions are perfect or the timing is right, success can be achieved even with minimal effort or in less-than-ideal circumstances. It is used to advise someone to wait for the opportune moment before taking action.
చిత్తలో చల్లితే చిట్టెడు కావు
chittalo challite chittedu kavu
If sown during the Chitta rain star period, you won't even get a handful of yield.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb referring to the Chitta Karthe (an astrological period). It suggests that crops sown during this specific time will not yield good results due to unfavorable weather conditions, emphasizing the importance of timing in farming.
మఖలో పుట్టెడు చల్లేకంటే, ఆశ్లేషలో అడ్జెడు చల్లేది మేలు
makhalo puttedu challekante, ashleshalo adjedu challedi melu
It is better to sow a handful of seeds during the Ashlesha period than a basketful during the Makha period.
This is an agricultural proverb related to the Telugu lunar calendar (Karthe). It emphasizes the importance of timing over quantity. Ashlesha and Makha are specific periods (Kartelu) in the monsoon season. The saying suggests that seeds sown at the right time (Ashlesha), even in small amounts, will yield better results than sowing large quantities at an unfavorable time (Makha) when the rains might be too heavy or inappropriate for germination.
భరణికార్తిలో చల్లిన కాయకు చిప్పెడు మంట
bharanikartilo challina kayaku chippedu manta
A seed sown during the Bharani Karthi (astrological period) results in a shell-full of heat.
This proverb refers to the intense heat experienced during the Bharani Karthi season. It suggests that crops or plants sown during this specific time are subjected to such extreme heat that they become scorched or 'burning' like a shell full of fire. It is used to describe the peak of the summer season in traditional agricultural wisdom.
ఇంట్లో ఈగల మోత, బయట పల్లకీల మోత
intlo igala mota, bayata pallakila mota
The sound of flies inside the house, and the sound of palanquins outside.
This proverb is used to describe someone who maintains a grand, wealthy, or prestigious image in public but lives in poverty or miserable conditions privately. It highlights the contrast between external appearance and internal reality.