గంధపు పొడిలో బూరగ పట్టినట్లు

This proverb is used to describe a person who works hard at a task without understanding its true value or essence. Just as a donkey carries precious sandalwood but only feels the weight rather than the fragrance, a person might possess or handle something valuable without gaining any wisdom or benefit from it.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the refinement or knowledge to appreciate the value or quality of something superior. It is similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'

This expression is used to describe someone who goes to extremes or becomes obsessively persistent in whatever task they undertake. It can also refer to someone who consistently encounters bad luck or complications in every endeavor they start, as if it were cursed or jinxed.

This expression is used to mock something that is non-existent, absurd, or completely worthless. Since donkeys do not lay eggs, it refers to a 'wild goose chase' or a deceptive promise of something that doesn't exist. It is often used to dismiss a person's tall claims or to describe a situation where one gets nothing out of a lot of effort.

This expression describes something that is incredibly rare or practically impossible to find. Just as one wouldn't expect to find a fish (booraga) in dry sandalwood powder, it is used to mock an absurd situation or to describe a search that is futile because the object doesn't belong in that environment.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks the refinement, knowledge, or aesthetic sense to appreciate the value or quality of something superior. It is similar to the English expression 'casting pearls before swine.'

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone or something worthless or annoying intrudes upon something very precious or sacred. Sandalwood powder is highly valued and fragrant, while a bug (booraga) is undesirable and ruins its purity. It highlights the contrast between the sublime and the ridiculous, or the high-quality and the low-quality.

This expression is used to highlight a stark contrast between two people or things, usually siblings or items from the same source. It compares one that is virtuous, high-quality, or beautiful (sandalwood) to another that is useless, inferior, or unpleasant (castor oil residue).

This expression refers to someone who works hard on something valuable or possesses great knowledge but does not understand its worth or benefit from it personally. Just as a donkey carries fragrant sandalwood but only feels the heavy weight and not the aroma, it describes a person with superficial involvement in something profound.

This proverb is used to describe a person who cannot change their inherent nature or lack of refinement, regardless of how much wealth, education, or luxury is bestowed upon them. It suggests that external appearances or decorations cannot hide one's true character or stupidity.