దుఃఖము సుఖమును వెన్నుదన్నే వెన్నాడుచుండును.
duhkhamu sukhamunu vennudanne vennaduchundunu.
Sorrow follows behind happiness, supporting it.
This expression highlights the cyclical nature of life, suggesting that joy and sorrow are inseparable companions. Just as a shadow follows a person, grief inevitably follows happiness, and conversely, sorrow provides the backdrop that makes happiness meaningful. It is used to encourage equanimity during good times and hope during bad times.
Related Phrases
నీతివర్తనమును, కీర్తి దాని క్రీనీడవలె వెన్నాడుచుండును
nitivartanamunu, kirti dani krinidavale vennaduchundunu
Fame follows righteous conduct like its shadow.
This expression emphasizes that when a person lives a life of integrity and follows ethical principles (Neeti), fame and reputation (Keerthi) will naturally follow them without any extra effort, just as a shadow follows an object. It is used to teach that one should focus on their character rather than chasing popularity.
కాని కాలం కోటి దుఃఖం
kani kalam koti duhkham
One sixty-fourth part of folly will bring ten millions of sorrows. A little neglect may breed great mischief.
This expression is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when luck is not on your side (bad timing/adversity), one problem leads to another, resulting in immense suffering.
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.
రాత్రికి వెన్నెల, పైరుకు వెన్నులు పస.
ratriki vennela, pairuku vennulu pasa.
Moonlight is the beauty of the night, as ears of grain are the beauty of the crop.
This proverb highlights what constitutes the essence or peak beauty of something. Just as moonlight makes a night pleasant and beautiful, the appearance of healthy ears of grain (spikelets) signifies the success and value of a crop. It is used to describe things that are essential for fulfillment or completeness.
సుఖం స్వర్గం, దుఃఖం నరకం
sukham svargam, duhkham narakam
Happiness is heaven, suffering is hell.
This expression simplifies the philosophical concept that heaven and hell are not physical places one goes to after death, but are states of mind experienced in the present life based on one's circumstances and mental outlook. It is used to emphasize that living happily is equivalent to being in paradise.
దూడ అంత దుఃఖము, పాడి అంత సుఖము లేదు.
duda anta duhkhamu, padi anta sukhamu ledu.
There is no sorrow like losing a calf, and no happiness like the yield of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.
అతిశయ దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపుదుఃఖం కలకాలం
atishaya duhkham arunelalu, kadupuduhkham kalakalam
Excessive grief lasts six months, but the grief of losing a child lasts forever.
This proverb contrasts different types of sorrows. While general intense grief or social mourning might fade over a period (metaphorically six months), the pain a parent feels over the loss of their own child (kadupu duhkham) is permanent and remains for a lifetime.
మన్ను విడవకుండా దున్నితే, వెన్ను విడవకుండా పండును.
mannu vidavakunda dunnite, vennu vidavakunda pandunu.
If you plow without leaving any soil untouched, the crop will yield without leaving any stalk empty.
This is a popular agricultural proverb emphasizing that thorough and hard work leads to high rewards. In farming, it means if the land is tilled perfectly without gaps, the grain ears (panicles) will grow abundantly. In a broader sense, it suggests that when you put in meticulous effort into any task, the results will be consistently successful.
కుక్కను ఎక్కితే సుఖమూ లేదు, కూలబడితే దుఃఖమూ లేదు
kukkanu ekkite sukhamu ledu, kulabadite duhkhamu ledu
There is no pleasure in riding a dog, and no pain if it collapses.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a thing that is of very low value or trivial significance. It implies that being associated with such a person or thing brings no real benefit (honor), and losing it or failing in it causes no real loss or sorrow. It emphasizes the pointlessness of pursuing something inferior.
అర్తి దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపు దుఃఖం కలకాలం
arti duhkham arunelalu, kadupu duhkham kalakalam
The grief of the neck [lasts] six months; the grief of the womb, for ever. The " grief of the neck " signifies widowhood, when the marriage cord is broken. The " grief of the womb" signifies the loss of a child.
This proverb highlights the depth of emotional loss. It suggests that while the sorrow of losing a partner (arti) might fade or heal with time, the pain of losing one's own child (kadupu) is an eternal wound that never truly heals. It is used to describe the incomparable bond between a parent and child.
* Can ch'abbala non morde.