చిత్తం శివుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద

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.

This expression is used to question someone's true motives. It suggests that a person might be performing a task or participating in an activity not out of genuine interest or devotion, but for the secondary benefits or rewards (like food or money) associated with it.

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.

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.

This proverb refers to a situation where someone has a high reputation or social status (palanquin), but their actual living conditions or current situation remain humble or poor (foot on the ground). It is used to describe people who possess a famous name but lack the wealth or facilities to match that status.

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.

This proverb describes where certain entities show off their power or influence. Just as rain is most noticeable on barren alkaline soil and a laborer takes pride in their specific dwelling area, a person often displays their dominance or arrogance where they have easy authority, such as a husband over his wife in a traditional domestic context. It is used to mock those who show strength only over the vulnerable or in limited domains.

This expression is used to describe a person who has high desires or grand ambitions but lacks the basic resources or means to fulfill them. It highlights the gap between one's wants and their actual capabilities or reality.

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.

This proverb describes a person who lacks focus or sincerity, acting with a divided mind. It is used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of concentration where someone pretends to do one thing while their heart and thoughts are actually somewhere else entirely.