చేవ దూలంలో వెదురు మోత పుట్టునా?

This proverb is used to express that good or noble qualities cannot be expected from someone or something that is inherently inferior or bad. Just as a fragrant, divine flower like Parijata cannot grow on a toxic, milky weed like Jilledu (Calotropis), one cannot expect greatness from a base origin or nature.

Pārijāta is the Nyctanthes Arbor Tristis, a very celebrated tree said to grow in Svarga, Indra's paradise (W. Elliot). Jillēḍu is the Calotropes Gigantea.

This expression is used to describe the predictable yet harsh realities or inevitable natural occurrences associated with specific times or situations. It implies that every season or phase of life comes with its own set of inherent challenges that one must expect and endure.

This expression refers to poor planning or performing tasks at the most inconvenient and difficult times. Spinning cotton (ekulu vadakadam) is better done when there is humidity (monsoon) to prevent the fiber from breaking, while pounding rice (vadlu danchadam) requires dry weather. Doing them in reverse leads to unnecessary hardship and inefficiency.

This expression refers to internal conflicts or domestic feuds that lead to the complete destruction of one's own family or group. It originates from the Mahabharata, where a structural iron bolt (musalam) led to the infighting and eventual demise of the Yadava dynasty. It is used to describe a situation where a small internal issue escalates and ruins everyone involved from within.

This proverb highlights the importance of basic resources and prerequisites. If a village lacks essential raw materials or the base for prosperity (like oil or ghee), it is unlikely to provide a full, comfortable meal or a livelihood. It is used to describe situations where one cannot expect a significant outcome when the fundamental necessities are missing.

This expression refers to internal strife or a domestic conflict that leads to the total destruction of a group or family from within. It originates from the Mahabharata, where a mystical iron mace (musalam) was born to a Yadava prince, eventually causing the mutual destruction of the entire Yadava dynasty. It is used to describe situations where internal bickering or an unexpected internal cause leads to a downfall.

This proverb highlights the historical and cultural importance of lime (chunam) in rural India, where it was traditionally consumed with betel leaves after a meal. It implies that if a village is so impoverished or lacks basic amenities that even simple lime (for betel nut) is unavailable, it is unlikely that one can find a proper meal there. It is used to describe a place of extreme scarcity or poverty.

This proverb is used to imply that noble qualities or greatness cannot emerge from a mean or cowardly origin. It suggests that a person's inherent nature is determined by their lineage or character, and one cannot expect extraordinary results from something or someone that is fundamentally inferior.

This proverb is used to express that children inherit the traits and character of their parents. It is often used rhetorically to say that someone of a gentle or timid nature cannot produce someone who is aggressive or brave, or more commonly, that greatness or specific qualities cannot emerge from a lineage that lacks them.

This proverb is used to suggest that noble qualities or valuable results cannot be expected from someone who lacks character or from a source that is inherently mediocre. It emphasizes that greatness (pearls) comes from a specific noble source (oysters), not from common ones (snails).