ఢిల్లీకి రాజైనా తల్లికి కొడుకే.

dhilliki rajaina talliki koduke.

Translation

Even if he is the King of Delhi, he is still a son to his mother.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that no matter how powerful, wealthy, or successful a person becomes in the world, their status remains the same within the family, especially towards their mother. It is used to teach humility and to remind people that their roots and primary relationships remain unchanged by worldly achievements.

Related Phrases

If not to your mother, they said to pray to the Tulasi plant

This proverb emphasizes the importance of gratitude and reverence. It suggests that if one cannot show respect or devotion to their own mother (the primary giver of life), they should at least show it to the sacred Tulasi plant, which is considered a universal mother figure in culture. It is used to remind someone to maintain a sense of spirituality or basic respect even if they fail in their primary duties.

One missed being born to the maternal aunt, the other missed being born to the mother.

This expression is used to describe two people who are equally wicked, cunning, or troublesome. It implies that there is no difference in their bad character; if one is bad, the other is slightly worse or just as bad. It is similar to saying 'two of a kind' or 'chips off the same block' in a negative context.

Throw scarlet water over your mother.

This expression is used to advise someone against trying to trick or outsmart the very person who taught them everything. It emphasizes that one should not use their cleverness or pranks on their elders or mentors, particularly their own mother, who knows them best.

Tears for the birth mother, envy for the stepmother.

This proverb contrasts true empathy with jealousy. It implies that while a birth mother (or a true well-wisher) feels genuine sorrow for one's struggles, a stepmother (or a rival) feels envious of one's success or status. It is used to describe situations where some people are saddened by your pain while others are spiteful of your happiness.

A widow's son is a son, a king's son is a son. A king's son and a widow's son are both greatly indulged.

This proverb highlights that fate or luck favors two extremes: either those who have nothing to lose and must work extremely hard (the widow's son) or those who are born with immense privilege (the king's son). It is used to describe how people at the very bottom of the social ladder and the very top often end up being the most successful or influential, albeit for different reasons.

One who doesn't feed his own mother is said to buy a saree for his maternal aunt.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrisy or misplaced priorities. It refers to someone who neglects their fundamental duties or those closest to them, yet tries to gain a good reputation by performing grand gestures for others or distant relatives. It highlights the irony of showing off generosity to the world while failing to meet basic responsibilities at home.

Like going all the way to Delhi just to bring back an onion.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone puts in an enormous amount of effort, time, or resources, only to achieve a very trivial or insignificant result. It highlights the disproportion between the struggle and the outcome.

When the biological mother's stomach was burning (with hunger), the stepmother's butt was burning.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who is truly suffering or in need is ignored, while someone else makes a frivolous or exaggerated complaint to gain attention or compete. It highlights the contrast between genuine distress and fake or disproportionate grievances.

Delhi to Delhi, village to village. Great people with great, little with little.

This expression emphasizes that every place or person has their own distinct importance, status, and rules. It is used to suggest that one should not compare things that are fundamentally different in scale or nature, or to imply that everyone is a 'king' in their own territory.

Will a nanny have the affection that even a mother does not possess?

This proverb suggests that no one can care for or love a person more than their natural guardian or the person most closely responsible for them. It is used to express skepticism when a stranger or an outsider shows more concern or emotion than a person's own family or close relatives, often implying that such external affection might be insincere.