చెరువు చూచి, దున్నపోతు ఆ నీళ్ళన్నీ తానే తాగాలనుకొని గుండె పగిలి చచ్చిందట.
cheruvu chuchi, dunnapotu a nillanni tane tagalanukoni gunde pagili chachchindata.
Seeing the lake, the buffalo wanted to drink all the water itself and died of a broken heart (or burst chest).
This proverb is used to describe greed and over-ambition. It warns that trying to consume or possess more than one's capacity or trying to take everything for oneself leads to self-destruction. It is often applied to people who are overly greedy and fail to recognize their own limits.
Related Phrases
తల్లిని చూసి పిల్లను, పాలను చూచి బర్రెను కొనాలి.
tallini chusi pillanu, palanu chuchi barrenu konali.
Look at the mother before choosing the daughter; look at the milk before buying the buffalo.
This proverb emphasizes that heredity, upbringing, and proven quality are essential factors when making long-term commitments or choices. Just as a buffalo's value is determined by its milk yield, a person's character and traits are often influenced by their lineage and parental upbringing. It is commonly used as advice when considering marriage alliances.
దున్నపోతు ఈనిందంటే, దూడను కట్టేయమన్నట్టు
dunnapotu inindante, dudanu katteyamannattu
When someone says the male buffalo has given birth, asking to tie up the calf.
This proverb describes a situation where someone blindly believes or acts upon a piece of information that is logically impossible or absurd. It is used to mock people who lack common sense or those who follow instructions without questioning their validity, even when the premise (a male buffalo giving birth) is clearly false.
దున్నపోతు ఈనిందంటే, దూడను కట్టేయమన్నట్లు
dunnapotu inindante, dudanu katteyamannatlu
When one said "The male buffalo has calved" the other replied "Then tie up the calf."
This proverb describes a situation where people blindly follow or react to a piece of information that is logically impossible or blatantly false. It mocks those who act without thinking or questioning the absurdity of a statement, highlighting gullibility and the lack of common sense.
పగలు ఎండ, రేయి చీకటి, ఎప్పుడు దున్నుతావే దున్నపోతా?
pagalu enda, reyi chikati, eppudu dunnutave dunnapota?
Sun in the day, darkness at night, when will you plough, oh male buffalo?
This proverb is used to mock lazy people who find excuses for every situation. Just as the buffalo avoids work by complaining about the heat during the day and the darkness at night, it refers to individuals who always have a reason to procrastinate or avoid their responsibilities regardless of the circumstances.
కొల్లేట్లో పండే పంటేగాని, చచ్చే దున్నపోతులకు లెక్క లేదు.
kolletlo pande pantegani, chachche dunnapotulaku lekka ledu.
[They look at] the crops which grow in Kollêru, but there is no account of the buffaloes which die there. Counting profit, but not loss.
This proverb describes a situation where an outcome or profit is visible, but the immense cost, hidden sacrifices, or the loss of resources required to achieve it are ignored. It is used to highlight that success often comes at a high, unacknowledged price.
పాకాల చెరువును చూసి, ఆ నీళ్ళన్నీ తానే తాగాలని దున్నపోతు గుండె పగిలి చచ్చిందట.
pakala cheruvunu chusi, a nillanni tane tagalani dunnapotu gunde pagili chachchindata.
Looking at the Pakala lake and wanting to drink all that water by itself, the male buffalo's heart burst and it died.
This proverb describes a situation where someone's excessive greed or over-ambition leads to their own downfall. It is used to mock people who attempt tasks far beyond their capacity or who harbor unrealistic desires that eventually lead to their ruin.
దున్నపోతు ఈనిందంటే దూడను కట్టేయమన్నట్టు
dunnapotu inindante dudanu katteyamannattu
When someone says the male buffalo has given birth, asking to tie up the calf.
This proverb is used to describe a person who blindly follows or acts upon absurd, illogical, or impossible statements without using their own common sense. It mocks gullibility and the lack of critical thinking.
కొల్లేటిలో పండే పంటకు లెక్కేగాని, చచ్చే దున్నపోతులకు లెక్కలేదు
kolletilo pande pantaku lekkegani, chachche dunnapotulaku lekkaledu
The crop yield in Kolleru is counted, but the buffaloes that die in the process are not.
This proverb describes a situation where people focus only on profits or successful outcomes while ignoring the heavy losses, sacrifices, or 'human cost' incurred to achieve them. It is used to criticize management or systems that value results over the well-being of the workers or resources involved.
చక్కిలాన్ని చూచి, జంతిక నవ్విందట
chakkilanni chuchi, jantika navvindata
Seeing the Chakkilam, the Janthika laughed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone with their own flaws or faults mocks someone else for similar or even lesser flaws. Both Chakkilam and Janthika are traditional snacks that are twisted or crooked in shape; therefore, one cannot mock the other for being bent.
మాగిలి దున్నితే మరింత పంట
magili dunnite marinta panta
Ploughing the land after the first rains yields more crops.
This proverb highlights the importance of timing and preparation in agriculture. 'Magili' refers to the land moistened by the first summer rains. It suggests that if a farmer takes advantage of these initial rains to plough the field, the soil quality improves, leading to a much higher yield. Metaphorically, it means that starting a task at the right opportune moment with proper preparation ensures success.