గజం మిథ్య పలాయనం మిథ్య
gajam mithya palayanam mithya
The elephant is an illusion, the escape is an illusion.
This expression is used to describe a situation where both the problem and the frantic reaction to it are ultimately non-existent or unnecessary. It originates from an Advaita philosophy story where a teacher tells a student that the world is an illusion; when an elephant charges and the teacher runs away, he explains that if the elephant was an illusion, his running was also part of that same illusion. It is often used to point out contradictions in logic or to dismiss a false alarm.
Related Phrases
అద్దం మీద పెసరగింజ పడ్డట్లు
addam mida pesaraginja paddatlu
Like a green gram falling on a mirror.
This expression is used to describe something that slides off or fails to stick, just as a smooth seed would bounce or slip off a glass surface. It is often used to characterize a person who is unaffected by advice, warnings, or criticism, or to describe a situation where efforts have no lasting impact.
చదువూలేదు, సంధ్యాలేదు, సంతానం మాత్రం మెండు.
chaduvuledu, sandhyaledu, santanam matram mendu.
No education, no prayers, but offspring in abundance.
This proverb is used to mock someone who lacks knowledge, discipline, or productive skills but is highly successful at reproducing or multiplying problems. It highlights a lack of responsibility or intellectual pursuit while focusing only on basic biological or unproductive aspects of life.
చదువూ లేదు, సంధ్యా లేదు, సంతానం మెండు.
chaduvu ledu, sandhya ledu, santanam mendu.
[He has] no learning and [says] no prayers but [has] nuiserous issue. Said of an ignorant, irreligious, sensual man.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks education, culture, or professional discipline, yet excels in producing children or multiplying problems without the means to support them. It highlights a lack of responsibility or foresight in one's lifestyle.
చుట్టం మీద తీపా? బియ్యం మీద తీపా?
chuttam mida tipa? biyyam mida tipa?
Is the love for the relative greater, or the love for the rice?
This proverb is used to describe a stingy person who prioritizes their food or resources over hospitality. It highlights the conflict between the desire to be a good host and the reluctance to spend money or share provisions.
బ్రాహ్మణుని మీది సంధ్యా కోమటి మీది అప్పు నిలవదు.
brahmanuni midi sandhya komati midi appu nilavadu.
The prayers due by a Brahman will not remain [ unsaid ], and the debt due by a Kômaṭi will not remain [ unpaid ].
This proverb highlights the punctuality and inevitability of certain actions. Just as a devout Brahmin will never miss his evening prayers (Sandhyavandanam), a shrewd merchant (Komati) will never let a debt go uncollected or unpaid for long. It is used to describe things that are certain to happen or must be settled promptly.
ప్రాణం మీద తీపా, బెల్లం మీద ప్రీతా?
pranam mida tipa, bellam mida prita?
Is it a love for life or a fondness for jaggery?
This expression is used to mock someone who is being overly stingy or greedy even when faced with a life-threatening or serious situation. It highlights the absurdity of prioritizing small material gains or savings over one's own well-being or safety.
రామాయపట్నం మధ్యస్థం
ramayapatnam madhyastham
Ramayapatnam is the midpoint
This expression is used to describe a situation or location that is centrally located or acts as a neutral middle ground. Historically, Ramayapatnam was considered a halfway point or a convenient meeting spot. In common usage, it refers to a compromise or a balanced position between two extremes.
రాటం మీద రాగం ఘోటంమీద దరువు
ratam mida ragam ghotammida daruvu
Melody on the spinning wheel and rhythm on the horse.
This expression is used to describe a situation where there is a complete lack of coordination or harmony. It refers to a disorganized state where different people are doing different things without any synchronization or common goal.
ఉరుము ఉరిమి మంగళం మీద పడ్డట్టు
urumu urimi mangalam mida paddattu
Like a thunder that roared and fell upon the sacrificial fire-pan
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one person's anger or a problem originating elsewhere is unfairly diverted toward an innocent person or an unrelated object. It signifies misplaced venting of frustration or a situation where the consequences of one event unexpectedly affect something completely different.
చిత్తం చెప్పుల మీద, ధ్యానం దేవుని మీద
chittam cheppula mida, dhyanam devuni mida
The mind is on the sandals, while the meditation is on God.
This proverb describes a person who lacks focus or sincerity. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be deeply involved in a spiritual or serious task while their thoughts are actually preoccupied with trivial, worldly, or selfish concerns. It refers to the habit of people worrying about their footwear being stolen outside a temple while they are supposed to be praying inside.