బూడిదలో పోసిన పన్నిరు.
budidalo posina panniru.
Perfume thrown into ash.
A fruitless effort is one that does not achieve what one sets out for.
Related Phrases
నారు పోసినవాడు నీరు పోయక మానడు
naru posinavadu niru poyaka manadu
The one who planted the seedling will not stop pouring water.
This proverb is an expression of faith and optimism. It suggests that the Creator who gave us life will surely provide the means for our survival. It is used to comfort someone facing hardships, implying that their basic needs will be met by a higher power or that the person responsible for a situation will eventually take care of its consequences.
బూడిదలో చేసిన హోమము
budidalo chesina homamu
Like pouring out an offering on ashes.
This expression refers to a futile effort or a wasted act. In Vedic rituals, a 'Homam' (fire sacrifice) must be performed in a consecrated fire for it to be effective; performing it in cold ashes yields no result. It is used to describe tasks where the outcome is zero despite the effort put in.
A useless or unprofitable work.
ఓటికుండలో నీరు పోసినట్లు
otikundalo niru posinatlu
Like pouring water into a leaky pot.
This expression is used to describe a situation where effort, resources, or advice are wasted on someone or something that cannot retain them. It signifies a futile or useless action where despite the input, there is no result because the vessel (recipient) is fundamentally flawed.
ఓటి కుండలో నీళ్ళు పోసినట్టు
oti kundalo nillu posinattu
Like pouring water into a leaky pot
This expression is used to describe a situation where effort or resources are being completely wasted on something that cannot be salvaged or retained. It refers to a futile action where despite continuous input, there is no result or progress because the foundation is fundamentally flawed or broken.
నిప్పులో నెయ్యి పోసినట్లు
nippulo neyyi posinatlu
Like pouring ghee into the fire
This expression is used to describe an action that worsens an already volatile or tense situation. Just as ghee makes a fire blaze more intensely, this phrase refers to 'adding fuel to the fire'—making someone angrier or making a conflict more severe.
కన్నీరు కిందికి కారుతుంది, పన్నీరు పైకి చిమ్ముతుంది
kanniru kindiki karutundi, panniru paiki chimmutundi
Tears flow downwards, while rose water is sprinkled upwards.
This expression is used to describe the irony of social status and emotions. It signifies that while sorrow and suffering (tears) are common, private, and flow naturally, luxury and celebration (rose water) are often displayed ostentatiously. It can also refer to the flow of resources or sympathy in society.
గాడిద పుండుకు బూడిద మందు
gadida punduku budida mandu
Ash is the medicine for a donkey's wound
This expression is used to describe a simple, crude, or inexpensive solution for an unworthy or trivial problem. It implies that a high-quality or expensive remedy is not needed for something of low value or for someone who doesn't appreciate it.
నారు పోసినవాడు నీరు పోయడా?
naru posinavadu niru poyada?
Will the one who planted the seedling not pour water?
This is a popular Telugu proverb expressing faith in divine providence or nature. It suggests that the creator who gave life will also provide the means for survival. It is used to offer comfort or express optimism during difficult times, implying that one's basic needs will be taken care of by the same power that brought them into existence.
గాడిదకు భోగి నీళ్లు పోస్తే, బూడిదలో పొర్లాడిందట
gadidaku bhogi nillu poste, budidalo porladindata
When a donkey was bathed with sacred Bhogi water, it went and rolled in the ashes.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is given a great opportunity, luxury, or reform, but they return to their old, crude, or bad habits. It highlights that inherent nature (Pravrutti) is difficult to change regardless of the honors bestowed upon them.
పందికి యేలరా పన్నీరు గిండి?
pandiki yelara panniru gindi?
What can a pig do with a rose water bottle ?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something valuable, refined, or sophisticated is given to someone who is incapable of appreciating its worth or lacks the taste to use it properly. It is similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'
Gindi is a narrow mouthed vessel used for rose water.