దంభోళహతికి తరువొకయెదురా?

dambholahatiki taruvokayedura?

Translation

Is a tree an obstacle to the strike of a thunderbolt?

Meaning

This expression is used to indicate that when a powerful force or an unstoppable entity strikes, weak or minor obstacles cannot stand in its way. It highlights the vast difference in strength between two entities, suggesting that it is futile for something small to oppose something immensely powerful.

Related Phrases

Pine away day by day, Nâgambhoṭlu. Said to a hypocritical Brahman, who was neglected when his tricks became known.

This proverb is used to describe a situation, performance, or condition that is deteriorating over time instead of improving. It originated from a story where a person named Nagambhotlu performed progressively worse in his duties each day.

The one who took (loan/money) is fine, the one who gave is fine, but the one who comes across them gets the bad luck.

This proverb describes a situation where two parties involved in a transaction or dispute are unaffected, while an innocent bystander or a third party who happens to pass by suffers the consequences. It is used to highlight the irony of collateral damage or getting blamed for something one has nothing to do with.

Marriage at one place, heart at another place.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's formal commitments or physical presence are in one place, while their desires or thoughts are focused somewhere else. It is often used to refer to people who are physically present but mentally or emotionally preoccupied with something or someone else.

A tree knows no drought, and a merchant knows no burden.

This proverb highlights the inherent resilience or nature of certain entities. A tree provides shade and fruit regardless of external conditions, and a savvy merchant (traditionally referred to as Komati) always finds a way to manage their trade or load without feeling the 'weight' or loss. It is used to describe situations where people are naturally equipped to handle specific hardships or roles.

Where does wealth go, and where does one go?

This expression emphasizes the impermanence of material wealth and life itself. It is used to suggest that neither riches nor the person who earns them are eternal, often encouraging a sense of humility, detachment, or philanthropy over greed.

As long as there were harvests, the monkey survived; life after that is the real struggle.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone enjoys a comfortable life due to favorable external circumstances or resources. When those resources are exhausted, they face the harsh reality of survival. It serves as a reminder that true resilience is tested only when easy times end.

They say Annambhatlu climbed onto the loft after turning sixty years old.

This proverb is used to describe someone who attempts to start a new venture, learn a new skill, or take up a major responsibility at a very late stage in life when they are no longer physically or mentally fit for it. It highlights the irony of delayed action or performing a task when its relevance or the person's capability has passed.

If the quality decreases, the shine decreases.

This expression means that a person's reputation or outward respect depends entirely on their character or the quality of their work. If one's inner worth or standard of work (vasi) declines, their fame and public standing (vanne) will automatically diminish.

If one pulls towards the river, another pulls towards the cremation ground.

This proverb describes a situation where there is a total lack of coordination or cooperation between people. It is used when individuals work at cross-purposes or pull in opposite directions, making it impossible to achieve a common goal.

When someone said 'Shambho Shambho', another person remarked that their mouth became crooked.

This proverb is used to describe a person who finds faults or makes cynical remarks about others' sincere or spiritual actions. It highlights the tendency of narrow-minded people to mock or criticize something good instead of appreciating the intent.