గోముఖ వ్యాఘ్రం

This expression highlights the inherent and unchangeable nature of beings. Just as a tiger is naturally predatory and cannot show mercy, a virtuous or divine person is naturally selfless and cannot act out of greed. It is used to describe how people act according to their fundamental character.

This proverb advises that being shy or overly polite in two specific areas—eating and financial/business dealings—can lead to personal loss or dissatisfaction. If you are too shy to ask for food, you stay hungry; if you are too shy to discuss terms or money in business, you face financial losses.

This expression is used to describe a hypocritical person who appears sweet, kind, or friendly on the outside but harbors malice or evil intentions within. It is often used as a warning to be cautious of people who use flattering words to hide their true harmful nature.

This proverb is used to point out that it is foolish to worry about a finished product or a future result when you already possess the primary source or the means to create it. Since ghee is made by clarifying butter, having butter means you essentially have ghee. It encourages recognizing the value of what one currently possesses.

This proverb is equivalent to the English saying 'Physician, heal thyself.' It implies that a person should fix their own faults or problems before attempting to advise or fix others. It is used to point out hypocrisy or the irony of someone offering help when they themselves are in need of the same assistance.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the monsoon. It means that if it rains during the Moola Nakshatram (Moola constellation period), it results in heavy flooding (drowning), whereas rains during Vishakha Nakshatram are accompanied by strong, destructive winds (blowing away/scattering).

This proverb highlights that investing effort or resources in an unproductive or unsuitable environment will yield no results. Just as farming on dry, elevated mound soil (pati) is futile because it cannot hold water, working on a flawed plan or in a hopeless situation will not even cover basic necessities.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, obstinate, and refuses to listen to reason or change their mind. It combines 'Mondi' (stubborn) with 'Shikhandi' (a character from the Mahabharata known for being unshakeable in their purpose), signifying someone who stands their ground to a fault regardless of the consequences or arguments presented.

This expression is used to describe a hypocrite or a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. It refers to a person who appears gentle, innocent, and harmless like a cow on the outside, but is actually cruel, dangerous, or predatory like a tiger on the inside.

This expression signifies that the character, values, and success of an organization are often a direct reflection of its leader's vision and personality. It is used to emphasize the profound impact an individual can have on a collective entity.