చింతలేని అంబలి చారెడే చాలు

chintaleni ambali charede chalu

Translation

A handful of porridge without worries is enough.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that peace of mind is far more valuable than wealth or luxury. It suggests that a simple meal (ambali) eaten in tranquility is better than a feast consumed in stress or anxiety. It is used to express contentment with a modest but peaceful life.

Related Phrases

There is no yawn without a wonder. Pratáparudru king of Ōrugallu, (Wurrangal) had a very sagacious minister, by name Yugandharuḍu, who was summoned by the Sultan to be employed in his court. The king refusing to send him, was taken prisoner and confined in the capital. His faithful minister having declared that he would rescue him and bring him back openly, went disguised to the capital and there feigning madness, ran daily through the streets calling out " Ho! I am going to take away Ōruganti Pratáparudruḍu." The Sultan, suspecting that his madness was assumed, caused him to be watched. The spies dis- covered that he cooked under a tree at midnight, and a man was concealed in the tree to watch him when he thought himself alone. According to his custom the minister came at midnight to cook his food, and while doing so, yawned. He immediately thought to himself that there must be some cause for this, and glancing furtively up the tree perceived the spy. He then said in a loud voice 'There is no yawn without a wonder,' and commenced breaking his pots and acting the mad man. The minister was then reported as really mad and his ravings were unheeded. Shortly afterwards a ship laden with valuables, was sent by the minister's con- trivance to the port. The Sultan hearing this, was anxious to inspect the cargo, and being informed that the imprisoned king was a connoisseur in gems ordered him to be brought with him on board the vessel. The minister also managed to get on board and while the Sultan was engaged in examining the precious stones, caused the anchor to be weighed. The Sultan then learnt the trick that had been played upon him and commending the sagacity of the minister, pardoned both him and the king, who returned rejoicing to Ōrugallu.

This expression suggests that nothing happens without an underlying cause or motivation. It is often used to imply that if someone is acting unusually or if a rumor is spreading, there must be some truth or specific reason behind it.

* A somewhat different version of the story is given in the Madras Church Missionary Record for October 1865 by the Rev. F. W. N. Alxander : "I could get very little information from my informant about this ancient king, one thing only is certain that in his days the Mohammedans invaded this part of India and besieged Wurrangal, but the Fort was not taken in his days. The story told to me by several people is very contradictory and unlikely in itself. The most credible version seems to be, that Wurrangal was besieged by the Padasha of Delhi in person, and for 7 years the assailants were beaten by the threat of being thrown into the sea from the large space enclosed by the walls. Falling in this way, they at last took the king by stratagem. The Mohammedans feigned a desire for peace and decoyed Pra- táparudru outside the gates on pretence of making peace, and then seized him in a chariot and carried him off to Delhi and kept him there many days. Meanwhile things went on badly in Wurrangal. In the absence of their king the people refused to obey the minister, and anarchy reigned in the city. The minister resolved to deliver his lord from confinement, and restore him to his subjects. He went to Delhi and began to tell in the most public manner that he was come to release Pratáparudru, the imprisoned king. For this he was imprisoned and beaten again and again, till at last he was regarded as a mad man and no heed was taken of his sayings or doings. Roaming through the city, he at last found out where his lord was, and brought to him two legs of the carved ebony cot on which the king used to sleep in Wurrangal, and offered them for sale. They were recognized at once; and the pretended seller was asked where he got them and where the remaining pair was to be found. The king was told that the missing pair would be found on board a ship in the river, and he was asked to come and see them. To this the king assented, and somehow brought with him the Padasha of Delhi. They both went on board the ship indicated, and at the helm was seen the pre- tended mad man who was in truth the minister of the king. In an instant the ship was loose, and the sails spread, keeping in mid-stream they escaped down the river before they could be apprehended, and entering the Godaveri the king and the Padasha made their way to Wurrangal. The latter is said was subsequently released by ransom, and Pratáparudru died peaceably in his own city."

A cupful of rice water without debt is enough.

This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that a humble or meager meal earned honestly and without borrowing is far better than a feast bought with borrowed money. It is used to advise people to live within their means and prioritize financial independence over luxury.

Out of debt, out of danger. Happy is he who owes nothing. (Greek.) !

If the ground is lucky, a foot of it is enough. Luck is all.

This proverb highlights that quality and luck are more important than quantity. If a place, business, or venture is lucky (auspicious) for someone, even a very small amount of it will bring great prosperity, whereas a vast amount of unlucky resources might lead to failure. It is used to emphasize that one should value favorable outcomes and good fortune over mere size or scale.

They say the eyes of the dead man were as wide as palms.

This proverb is used to describe the human tendency to exaggerate or romanticize the qualities of a person or thing only after they are gone. It highlights how people attribute greatness or beauty to something once it is no longer available to be verified or challenged.

The tamarind may be dried, but it loses not its acidity. Retaining vigour of mind though weakened in body.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has lost their wealth, status, or power but still retains their old ego, arrogance, or habits. Just as the acidic quality remains in tamarind even after it dries up, some people refuse to change their stubborn nature despite a change in their circumstances.

A crop without water, and a person without morning porridge.

This proverb highlights the essential requirements for survival and productivity. Just as a crop cannot grow or yield without a supply of water, a manual laborer or farmer cannot function or stay healthy without their basic morning sustenance (ambali). It emphasizes that ignoring basic needs leads to inevitable failure.

Like making porridge of dust. Labour wasted in a hopeless scheme.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in a lot of effort or goes through a process, but the final result is completely ruined or made useless by a foolish mistake or poor quality ingredients. It signifies wasted effort resulting in something unpalatable or unsuccessful.

The eyes of one dead, are large (attractive).

The good deeds of the dead are normally praised beyond what they deserve. It is possible that in such remembrances of things past there is likely to be considerable exaggeration – even, falsehood.

A small bowl of gruel without debt is enough.

This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble or simple life within one's means is far superior to living luxuriously on borrowed money. It is used to advise someone to prioritize financial independence and contentment over superficial status.

Even if the mother dies, it is enough if the maternal uncle is there.

In Telugu culture, the maternal uncle (menamama) holds a position of great responsibility and affection, often seen as a protective surrogate for the mother. This proverb emphasizes that even in the absence of a mother, a maternal uncle can provide the necessary support, guidance, and security to a child.