చీకటిలోనే తాంబూలం

This expression describes a person who is extremely selfish and dismissive of others' priorities. It refers to someone who ignores the importance of another person's significant event (like their own wedding) while demanding they attend and participate in his own affairs.

This proverb describes people who have no understanding of their own traditions, lineage, or deeper identity, and instead identify themselves solely by their mundane job or their employer. It is used to mock those who prioritize temporary, material roles over their fundamental cultural or spiritual roots.

This proverb is used to describe a person's foolish or illogical timing. It mocks someone who lacks the courage or sense to act when it is appropriate or visible, but attempts a subtle or secret gesture when it cannot even be seen or appreciated. It highlights the absurdity of doing something at a time or place where it has no impact or makes no sense.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a project, idea, or initiative fails or encounters a major obstacle at its very inception or earliest stage. It highlights something being ruined before it even had a chance to start or grow.

This humorous proverb is used to describe people who lack knowledge of their own traditions, roots, or identity. Apasthamba and Ashwalayana refer to Vedic schools (Sutras), but the characters in the saying confuse these scholarly lineages with their manual labor job under a local employer. It is used to mock ignorance or the loss of cultural identity in favor of mundane or materialistic pursuits.

This proverb describes a situation where someone fails to accomplish a task or utilize resources effectively despite having the means. It refers to a person who is too busy socializing or distracted by a crowd to take action, while their money or tools remain untouched. It is used to mock someone's laziness, procrastination, or lack of initiative.

This classical expression or proverb is used to suggest that individuals who lack character or those who treat relationships purely as transactions do not respect or recognize moral boundaries or family ties. It is often used to criticize someone's lack of integrity or their disregard for social and moral decorum.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the sophistication or refinement to appreciate a delicate or valuable gift. It highlights how someone ignorant of a thing's true value or purpose might mistake it for something common or misappropriate its use.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks even the most fundamental skills or knowledge but demands the highest recognition or priority. In traditional gatherings, the 'Agrataamboolam' (first offering of betel leaves) is reserved for the most learned or respected individual; the irony here highlights the person's arrogance or unrealistic expectations despite their incompetence.

This expression refers to someone who lives in a very limited or confined environment but still manages to survive. It is often used to describe people who are content with their narrow surroundings or those who manage to find sustenance and life in the most unlikely and difficult circumstances without external help.