గాడితప్పిన బండివలె

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone who deviates from the right path or a disciplined routine eventually falls into serious trouble or a situation that is difficult to escape. It highlights how one mistake or lack of focus leads to a greater disaster.

This proverb lists three ominous signs of impending disaster or chaos in traditional society. First, if clouds thunder during the Uttara Nakshatra but don't rain, it predicts drought. Second, if a ruler deviates from righteousness (Dharma), the society suffers. Third, when termites grow wings (becoming swarming alates), it is often seen as a sign of their impending death or a seasonal shift that brings destruction. It is used to describe situations where natural or social orders are disrupted, leading to hardship.

This expression is used to describe someone who prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearances over the actual substance or truth of a matter. It often refers to people who focus more on making their speech sound catchy or poetic rather than ensuring it is accurate or meaningful.

This proverb is used to describe things that are uncontrollable or dangerous because they no longer follow their intended purpose or social boundaries. Just as an arrow that misses its target can hit anything unpredictably, a person who has cast aside their dignity or social restraints becomes reckless and difficult to manage.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of integrity and keeping promises. It suggests that if a person goes back on their word or fails to fulfill a commitment, they will ultimately suffer a loss of reputation and be remembered poorly. It is used to advise someone to be truthful and reliable.

This proverb highlights the importance of integrity and discipline. It suggests that just as ignoring medical dietary restrictions leads to physical suffering, abandoning truth and honesty leads to moral and social consequences. In both cases, the person must face the resulting hardships.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and preparedness in agriculture. If the tools aren't sharp or if the farmer misses the specific sowing window (season), the crop will fail, making the payment of land taxes a total loss. It is used more broadly to signify that performing a task without proper preparation or at the wrong time leads to wasted effort and resources.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone prioritizes style, rhythm, or external appearance over the actual content or truth. In a literal sense, it refers to poetry where maintaining the rhyme (prasa) is seen as more important than the choice of words. In a general context, it refers to people who focus on sticking to a pattern or keeping up appearances even when the substance is lost.

This proverb is primarily used in the context of agriculture but applies to any time-sensitive task. It means that if your tools aren't sharp (readiness) or if you miss the specific window of opportunity (timing), all the effort and money (taxes/investment) put into the endeavor will be a total loss. It emphasizes that both preparation and timing are crucial for success.

This expression is used to describe someone who is deeply wallowing in a bad situation, laziness, or a messy environment with no intention of improving or leaving. It signifies being comfortably stuck in filth or a degraded state.