గురువుకు తగిన శిష్యుడు

guruvuku tagina shishyudu

Translation

A disciple worthy of the teacher

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a student or follower who is a perfect match for their teacher, often inheriting both their skills and their traits (positive or negative). It is similar to the English idiom 'Like father, like son' or 'A chip off the old block', specifically applied to a mentor-mentee relationship.

Related Phrases

If the disciple grows, he will surpass the teacher.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a student or protege excels to such an extent that they become more skilled, famous, or capable than their own mentor. It signifies the success of the teacher's guidance while acknowledging the exceptional talent of the pupil.

Your Guru learnt from my pupils. Said in a disputation between two rival Pandits.

This expression is used to challenge someone's superiority or arrogance. It implies that the lineage of knowledge or skill of the speaker is much older and superior to that of the listener, suggesting that the listener's masters are merely novices compared to the speaker's tradition.

A disciple asked, 'How much is jaggery for one? How much is salt for one?'

This expression is used to mock someone who lacks common sense or basic understanding of units and quantities. Jaggery and salt are measured by weight or volume, not by 'one' (a single unit). It highlights foolishness or the habit of asking nonsensical questions without thinking about the context or measurement.

A disciple greater than his Guru.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a protege, student, or apprentice becomes more skilled, knowledgeable, or successful than their mentor. It is often used as a compliment to both the student's talent and the teacher's effective guidance.

Said of an insolent fellow.

A guru who wears a sacred thread and a disciple who is a Satani (a specific Vaishnavite sub-sect).

This proverb is used to describe a situation where two people are completely incompatible or mismatched in their roles, backgrounds, or ideologies, yet are forced to work together. It highlights a comical or ironic pairing where the traditional hierarchy or customs are inconsistent.

A disciple worthy of his Guru. Both blockheads.

This expression is used to describe a student who is as capable, skilled, or talented as their mentor. It can be used positively to praise excellence or sarcastically to imply that the student has inherited the same flaws or bad habits as the teacher.

The disciples of Paramanandayya

This expression is used to describe a group of people who are exceptionally foolish, naive, or prone to making silly blunders while trying to be helpful. It originates from popular Telugu folklore about a teacher named Paramanandayya and his incredibly dim-witted yet loyal students.

If the Guru drink standing, the disciple will drink running. According to Hindu practice, water should always be drunk sitting.

This proverb highlights how students or followers tend to amplify the bad habits or mistakes of their leaders or mentors. If a person in an influential position sets a poor example, those who follow them will likely exceed that bad behavior. It emphasizes the importance of setting a good example for the next generation.

If the teacher cannot even find an ear of corn, will the student find tender grain?

This proverb is used to highlight situations where a subordinate or student expects more than what their superior or mentor possesses. It implies that if the source or the master lacks basic resources or knowledge, it is unrealistic for the follower to expect a bounty or superior results.

A stubborn teacher and a stone-like (insensitive) disciple.

This proverb describes a situation where both the mentor and the student are unyielding and lack synergy or wisdom. It is used to mock a duo or partnership where one person is obstinate and the other is thick-headed or unresponsive to learning, making any progress impossible.