చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టి ఉన్నదిలే, దొంగ చెట్టెక్కడు అన్నదట సోమిదేవమ్మ
chettuku madigudda katti unnadile, donga chettekkadu annadata somidevamma
The tree is wrapped in a sacred ritual cloth, so a thief won't climb it, said Somidevamma.
This proverb mocks people who have naive or blind faith in superficial rituals or symbols to prevent bad things from happening. It describes a situation where someone believes that a simple religious gesture (like tying a 'madigudda' or ritual cloth) will magically stop a criminal, ignoring the practical reality that a thief does not care about such things. It is used to highlight foolishness or misplaced confidence in symbolic protection.
Related Phrases
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే దొంగకడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane dongakaddama?
Will wrapping a ritual cloth around a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb highlights that mere formalities, rituals, or superficial measures cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from causing harm. It is used to point out that a person's character or a serious security threat won't be changed by symbolic gestures.
చెట్టెక్కి చేతులు విడిచినట్లు
chettekki chetulu vidichinatlu
Like climbing a tree and then letting go with the hands.
This expression describes a situation where someone abandons a task or withdraws support at a critical stage after taking a significant risk or putting in initial effort. It refers to someone who leaves others in a vulnerable or dangerous position without warning, or sabotages their own success at the final moment.
అగ్నిహోత్రముకు పోయిన సోమిదేవమ్మ ఆరునెలల గర్భముతో వచ్చినది
agnihotramuku poyina somidevamma arunelala garbhamuto vachchinadi
Sômidêvamma went for fire (for the sacrifice) and came back six months in pregnancy. Sômidêvamma is an honorific title given to the wife of a sacrificing priest; she is supposed to be very pious.
This proverb describes a situation where someone goes out to perform a simple, quick task but ends up staying away for a long time and getting involved in unnecessary or unintended complications. It is used to critique procrastination or when a small errand turns into a long-term distraction.
అసలే సోమిదేవమ్మ, అందులో వేవిళ్ళు
asale somidevamma, andulo vevillu
Basically she is Somidevamma, and on top of that, she has morning sickness.
This expression is used to describe a person who is naturally lazy or prone to making excuses, who then finds a genuine or additional reason to avoid work altogether. It highlights a situation where an already difficult or unproductive behavior is exacerbated by a new circumstance.
టెంకాయ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కట్టగానే అది దొంగకు అడ్డమా?
tenkaya chettuku madigudda kattagane adi dongaku addama?
Will a holy cloth tied to a coconut tree stop a thief?
This proverb is used to say that external appearances of piety or ritualistic symbols cannot prevent someone with bad intentions from doing harm. It highlights the futility of using religious or symbolic gestures to solve practical security problems or to change someone's inherent nature.
దానిమ్మ చెట్టుకు మడిగుడ్డ కాపలా!
danimma chettuku madigudda kapala!
Guarding a pomegranate tree with a ritualistically pure cloth!
This proverb is used to describe an unnecessary or excessive level of protection or caution for something that doesn't require it. It highlights the absurdity of applying strict, holy, or delicate standards (like 'Madigudda') to mundane situations where they are ineffective or irrelevant.
చోద్యాల సోమిదేవమ్మకు వాద్యార్ది మొగుడు
chodyala somidevammaku vadyardi mogudu
For Somidevamma who loves strange sights, her husband is a musician.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people with complementary or equally eccentric traits come together. 'Chodyalu' means strange occurrences or spectacles, and 'Vadyardi' refers to a musician or someone who makes noise. It implies that for a woman who loves watching dramas or spectacles, having a husband who creates them or performs is a perfect, albeit chaotic, match. It is often used humorously to comment on pairs that seem uniquely suited to each other's peculiar habits.
అసలే సోమిదేవమ్మ, అందులో వేవిళ్లు
asale somidevamma, andulo vevillu
She is not only the wife of a priest, but is also in an inter- esting condition.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is already naturally lazy or reluctant to work finds a convenient excuse to avoid their responsibilities entirely. It highlights how an existing negative trait is worsened by external circumstances.
A double excuse. Applied to idle persons. Sick of the idles. A large sheep thinks its wool heavy. ఆ.
టెంకాయ చెట్టెందుకు ఎక్కినావురా అంటే దూడగడ్డి కోసమన్నాడట, గడ్డి చెట్టుపైన ఉంటుందా అంటే లేదు కాబట్టే దిగివస్తున్నానన్నాడట కాయల దొంగ.
tenkaya chettenduku ekkinavura ante dudagaddi kosamannadata, gaddi chettupaina untunda ante ledu kabatte digivastunnanannadata kayala donga.
When a thief was asked why he climbed the coconut tree, he said it was for calf grass; when told grass doesn't grow on trees, he said that's why he was coming down.
This expression is used to describe a person who gives a foolish, illogical, or absurd excuse when caught red-handed. It highlights the tendency of people to make up desperate and silly justifications to cover up their mistakes or crimes even when the lie is obvious.
చోద్యాల సోమిదేవమ్మకు వాధ్యారి మొగుడు
chodyala somidevammaku vadhyari mogudu
The fastidious Somidevi has a Veda-teacher for a husband. A pair of hypocrites.
This proverb describes a situation where two people are perfectly matched in their eccentricities or flaws. 'Somidevamma' refers to a woman who is always curious or nosy about others' affairs, and 'Vadhyari' (teacher/pedant) refers to someone who loves to lecture or explain things unnecessarily. It is used to mock a pair that deserves each other because their habits complement one another's annoyances.