దైవాధీనం జగత్సర్వం
daivadhinam jagatsarvam
The whole world is under the control of God.
This expression signifies that the entire universe and all events within it are governed by divine will. It is commonly used to express fatalism, humility, or the idea that despite human effort, the ultimate outcome of any endeavor rests in the hands of a higher power.
Related Phrases
సర్వం కర్మాధీనం
sarvam karmadhinam
Everything is dependent on one's actions (Karma).
This expression is used to signify that the results in life are governed by the actions a person performs. It is often used to emphasize accountability or to provide consolation that destiny is a result of previous deeds.
జన్మ దుఃఖం, జరా దుఃఖం, వ్యాధి దుఃఖం, సర్వం దుఃఖం
janma duhkham, jara duhkham, vyadhi duhkham, sarvam duhkham
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, disease is suffering, everything is suffering.
Derived from Buddhist philosophy, this expression highlights the fundamental truth of human existence: that life is inherently filled with various forms of pain and hardship. It is used to describe the cycle of life and the inevitability of suffering across different stages—from birth to old age and illness.
జయాపజయాలు దైవాధీనాలు.
jayapajayalu daivadhinalu.
Victory and defeat are in the hands of God.
This expression is used to convey that while humans can put in the effort, the ultimate outcome (success or failure) is determined by fate or divine will. It is often used to encourage someone to stay humble in victory or resilient in defeat, acknowledging that not everything is under human control.
ముగ్గురిని కూల్చెరా ముండదైవం
muggurini kulchera mundadaivam
The heartless fate has destroyed three people.
This expression is used to lament a tragic situation where multiple lives or livelihoods are ruined simultaneously by an act of fate or bad luck. The term 'Munda Daivam' refers to a cruel or widow-like deity/fate that lacks mercy.
అర్థం ప్రాణం ఆచార్యాధీనం, తాళం దేహం నా అధీనం
artham pranam acharyadhinam, talam deham na adhinam
Money and life are under the teacher's control, but the lock and the body are under my control.
This is a humorous and sarcastic proverb describing a person who pretends to surrender everything to a teacher or guru but remains secretly greedy and selfish. It highlights hypocrisy where one claims to give up 'abstract' things like the soul, while keeping physical control over 'tangible' assets like money (the lock to the chest) and physical comforts.
అర్థమూ ప్రాణమూ ఆచార్యాధీనము, తాళమూ దేహమూ నా ఆధీనము.
arthamu pranamu acharyadhinamu, talamu dehamu na adhinamu.
The money [in the box] and the soul [within the body] are made over to the spiritual guide, but the key and the body are retained by me. Applied to giving a person only the form of authority, but no real power.
This proverb is a humorous take on hypocritical devotion or selective surrender. It describes a person who claims to surrender everything valuable (like life and wealth) to a mentor or God for the sake of appearance, but in reality, keeps the physical control (the key to the chest) and their own comfort firmly in their own hands. It is used to mock people who act as if they are selfless but remain deeply possessive and untrusting.
రాత్రి జాగారం పగటి పని చెరిచిందట
ratri jagaram pagati pani cherichindata
Staying awake at night spoiled the day's work.
This expression is used to highlight how a lack of rest or improper timing can ruin productivity. Specifically, it points out that when someone stays up all night (often for unnecessary reasons), they end up being too exhausted or inefficient to perform their duties during the day.
తాను చావడం జగం క్రుంగడమనుకొన్నదట ఒక నక్క
tanu chavadam jagam krungadamanukonnadata oka nakka
A fox thought that its own death meant the collapse of the entire world.
This proverb is used to describe an extremely egoistic or narcissistic person who believes the world revolves around them and that everything will cease to exist or function without them. It highlights the foolishness of overestimating one's own importance.
పతికి మించిన దైవం లేదు
patiki minchina daivam ledu
There is no god greater than the husband.
A traditional Telugu proverb emphasizing the sanctity of marriage in ancient Indian culture. It suggests that for a devoted wife, her husband is the supreme deity. It is used to describe total devotion, loyalty, and respect within a marriage, though in modern contexts, it is often cited when discussing traditional values or historical social norms.
సర్వం జగన్నాధం
sarvam jagannadham
Everything is Jagannatha (Lord of the Universe)
This expression is used to describe a state of complete disorder, chaos, or a situation where things are messy and unregulated. It can also refer to a scenario where distinctions (like caste or status) are ignored, similar to the egalitarian traditions at the Puri Jagannath temple, but in common parlance, it most often describes a 'free-for-all' or a total mess.