దానకర్ణుడు

This expression refers to a futile effort or an attempt to teach something to someone who is fundamentally opposed to it or unwilling to listen. Ghantakarna was a mythological character who wore bells on his ears to avoid hearing the name of Vishnu. Trying to teach him a Vishnu-related mantra (Ashtakshari) is a metaphor for a wasted effort or a mismatch of audience and message.

Ashṭākshari is a sacred formula used in the worship of Viṣṇu, composed, as the word denotes, of eight syllables ( ఓం నమోనారాయణాయ. ) చ.

This expression is used to describe a situation where the resources provided are grossly insufficient for the massive scale of the requirement. Just as a tiny amount of buttermilk cannot satisfy the giant Kumbhakarna (from Ramayana), it refers to a drop in the ocean or a trivial effort for a gigantic task.

This expression is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks its most essential element. Just as dry ginger is the core medicinal ingredient in an Ayurvedic decoction, and Karna is a pivotal, indispensable character in the Mahabharata, a project or situation lacks its true essence or effectiveness without a key component or person.

This expression refers to a futile effort or wasted advice given to someone who is fundamentally opposed to listening or changing. Ghantakarna was a legendary character who wore bells on his ears to avoid hearing the name of Vishnu. It is used when one attempts to teach something good to a person who is intentionally deaf to it or has a completely opposite mindset.

This expression is used to describe a situation where one tries to give advice or teach something to a person who is fundamentally opposed or completely indifferent to it. Ghantakarna was a character who wore bells on his ears to avoid hearing the name of Vishnu; hence, teaching him a Vishnu mantra (Ashtakshari) is a futile effort.

Refers to a state of deep, long, or heavy sleep from which a person is very difficult to wake up. It originates from the Ramayana character Kumbhakarna, who was known for sleeping for six months at a time. It is used to describe someone who sleeps excessively or is extremely lazy.

This expression is used to describe someone who, after gaining wealth or power, forgets their humble beginnings and acts overly generous or boastful to improve their social status. It highlights the contrast between a person's lowly past and their current pretentious behavior.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a failure or a complex event cannot be blamed on a single factor, but is rather the result of many contributing causes. In the Mahabharata, Karna's downfall was caused by multiple curses, promises, and circumstances happening at once.

This expression is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks its most essential and defining element. Just as Karna is a pivotal, soul-stirring character in the epic Mahabharata, and dry ginger (shonthi) is the indispensable core ingredient of a traditional herbal tonic (kashayam), a project or a gathering feels hollow without its key participant or component.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who possesses the actual substance or the best parts of something is superior to someone who only has the large, hollow, or useless parts. It emphasizes quality and substance over sheer size or volume.