చిత్రప్రబంధము లల్లగలిగినవాడే కవి, అనిలో నరుక గలిగినవాడే అవనీశుడు.

chitraprabandhamu lallagaliginavade kavi, anilo naruka galiginavade avanishudu.

Translation

One who can weave intricate literary compositions is a poet; one who can cut down enemies in battle is a king.

Meaning

This expression defines the true essence of expertise in two distinct fields: literature and leadership. It suggests that a real poet is one who possesses the creative complexity to craft 'Chitraprabandhams' (highly technical and artistic poetry), while a true ruler or king is defined by his bravery and ability to fight and defeat enemies on the battlefield (Anilo). It is used to emphasize that mastery is proven through action and skill rather than just titles.

Related Phrases

He who can compose a Kanda (a complex poetic meter) is a poet, and he who can spear a boar is a warrior.

This proverb defines true skill and bravery by their toughest standards. In Telugu literature, the 'Kanda' meter is considered the most difficult to master; hence, only one who excels at it is a true poet. Similarly, hunting a wild boar was considered the ultimate test of a soldier's courage. It is used to suggest that expertise is proven only through the mastery of the most difficult tasks in a field.

Only a man with age (youth) is a woman's love.

This expression suggests that youth and physical vigor are primarily what attract a woman's romantic interest. It implies that a woman's affection is naturally drawn towards a youthful and energetic partner rather than an elderly person.

He that ate is he that bought. If you want any thing, you must pay for it. Nothing is had for nothing. (French.)

This expression emphasizes that the person who pays for something or takes the risk of purchasing it is the one who truly enjoys the benefits or consequences of it. In a broader sense, it suggests that ownership or direct investment leads to the right of consumption or usage.

Even if the sky breaks or an eye is lost, you will not stop doing it.

This expression is used to describe an extremely stubborn person or someone who is persistent to a fault. It suggests that regardless of major disasters or personal injury, the individual refuses to change their course of action or stop a specific behavior.

One who can suppress their joy is greater than one who can suppress their sorrow.

While most people struggle to hide their grief, it is considered a sign of true character and maturity to remain humble and composed during times of great success or happiness without boasting. It emphasizes the importance of equanimity (Sthitapragyata).

Everyone is a relative to a wealthy person.

This proverb highlights the social reality that people flock towards those who are rich or successful. It suggests that when a person has wealth, even strangers or distant acquaintances try to claim a relationship with them, whereas a poor person is often ignored by their own kin.

He that ate prospered, and he that prospered became a Ma- hârâja.

This proverb emphasizes that health is the greatest wealth. It means that a person who can eat well (is healthy and has sufficient resources) is the one who can endure or live long, and such a healthy person is as happy and powerful as a king. It is often used to highlight the importance of nutrition and physical well-being over material riches.

One who slays a wild boar is a soldier, one who writes a 'Kanda' poem is a poet.

This expression highlights that true mastery is defined by the ability to conquer difficult tasks. In warfare, killing a wild boar was considered the ultimate test of a soldier's bravery and skill. Similarly, in Telugu literature, the 'Kanda' meter is technically demanding and constrained; therefore, anyone who can compose it perfectly is recognized as a true poet. It is used to say that one's merit is proven by their performance in challenging situations.

The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

The over liberal man is ruined ; when a man dies, his debts go with him.

This proverb highlights two harsh realities of life: people only appreciate those who are generous or provide help, and once a person dies, their debts and obligations often perish with them, making it impossible to recover what was owed. It is used to describe the nature of gratitude and the finality of death regarding liabilities.