చిత్తం చెప్పుల మీద, ధ్యానం దేవుని మీద
chittam cheppula mida, dhyanam devuni mida
The mind is on the sandals, while the meditation is on God.
This proverb describes a person who lacks focus or sincerity. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be deeply involved in a spiritual or serious task while their thoughts are actually preoccupied with trivial, worldly, or selfish concerns. It refers to the habit of people worrying about their footwear being stolen outside a temple while they are supposed to be praying inside.
Related Phrases
ఆశ ఆలి మీద, ఆధారం చాప మీద.
asha ali mida, adharam chapa mida.
His desire is on his wife and his support on his mat. Nothing for it but resignation.
This proverb describes a person who has grand desires or high aspirations but lacks the basic resources or means to fulfill them. It specifically refers to someone who wants to lead a family life or have comforts while living in extreme poverty, where they don't even have a proper bed, only a simple mat.
చిత్తం శివుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
chittam shivuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida
The mind is on Lord Shiva, but the devotion is on the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be focused on a spiritual or serious task while their actual interest or worry lies elsewhere (usually on materialistic or trivial things). It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration.
క్షణం చిత్తం క్షణం మాయ
kshanam chittam kshanam maya
A moment of mind, a moment of illusion
This expression describes a person who is fickle-minded or highly unpredictable. It refers to someone whose thoughts, decisions, or moods change instantly, making it impossible to rely on their word or state of mind for more than a moment.
పాటిమీద దేవరకు కూటిమీదనే ఆలాపన
patimida devaraku kutimidane alapana
The deity on the mound always chants for food.
This proverb describes someone who is more interested in the perks or rewards of a job rather than the duty itself. It is used to mock people who pretend to be pious or professional but are actually focused solely on their personal gain or their next meal.
చిత్తము శివునిమీద, భక్తి చెప్పులమీద.
chittamu shivunimida, bhakti cheppulamida.
He has a mind to worship Siva, but his thoughts are on his shoes ( left outside the temple ).
This proverb is used to describe a person who appears to be focused on a spiritual or serious task but is actually distracted by trivial or worldly concerns. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration, similar to someone praying in a temple while worrying about their footwear being stolen outside.
పత్రి దేవుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
patri devuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida
The leaves (offerings) are on the God, but the devotion is on the sandals.
This expression is used to describe a person who is physically performing a task or ritual but is mentally distracted by something else, often material or worldly concerns. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of focus, similar to the English idea of 'going through the motions' while your mind is elsewhere.
చిత్తం శివుడి మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
chittam shivudi mida, bhakti cheppula mida
Mind on Lord Shiva, but devotion on the sandals.
This proverb describes a person who pretends to be focused on something noble or spiritual while their mind is actually preoccupied with worldly or trivial distractions. It is used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration during a task or prayer.
అత్త మీద కోపం దుత్త మీద చూపించినట్టు
atta mida kopam dutta mida chupinchinattu
Like showing anger toward the mother-in-law on the earthen pot.
This expression describes a situation where someone takes out their frustration or anger on an innocent third party or an inanimate object because they cannot confront the person who actually caused the provocation. It is similar to the concept of 'displaced aggression'.
ఏటిమీద దేవరకు కూటిమీదే చింత
etimida devaraku kutimide chinta
The deity on the riverbank is only worried about the food offerings.
This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having important responsibilities or a high status, is solely focused on their personal gain or basic needs (like food or money). It highlights a lack of dedication to one's duty in favor of selfish interests.
గజం మిథ్య పలాయనం మిథ్య
gajam mithya palayanam mithya
The elephant is an illusion, the escape is an illusion.
This expression is used to describe a situation where both the problem and the frantic reaction to it are ultimately non-existent or unnecessary. It originates from an Advaita philosophy story where a teacher tells a student that the world is an illusion; when an elephant charges and the teacher runs away, he explains that if the elephant was an illusion, his running was also part of that same illusion. It is often used to point out contradictions in logic or to dismiss a false alarm.