హనుమంతుడి భక్తిబలం సీత కోసమా? రాముడి కోసమా?
hanumantudi bhaktibalam sita kosama? ramudi kosama?
Is Hanuman's strength of devotion for Sita or for Rama?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a task or shows dedication for one person, but the ultimate benefit or underlying cause is for another. It highlights the interconnectedness of goals or loyalties, often used when questioning the primary motivation behind an action.
Related Phrases
కూటి కొసం కోటి విద్యలు.
kuti kosam koti vidyalu.
Ten million skills are all for earning one’s livelihood.
The purpose, by and large, of acquisition of diverse special skills is only to make a living.
హనుమంతుడి భక్తి గొప్పా? రాముడి రూపం గొప్పా?
hanumantudi bhakti goppa? ramudi rupam goppa?
Is Hanuman's devotion greater, or Rama's form?
This expression is used to highlight a philosophical debate where the depth of devotion (Bhakti) is compared against the divinity of the Godhead (Roopam). It is often used to suggest that the power of a true devotee can sometimes overshadow the fame of the deity they serve, or to point out a situation where choosing between two equally great qualities is impossible.
పాలకోసం పొదుగుకోసినట్లు
palakosam podugukosinatlu
Like cutting the udder for milk
This expression describes the actions of someone who, out of greed or impatience for an immediate small gain, destroys the very source of their long-term benefit. It is used when a person's short-sightedness leads to a permanent loss.
వినాయకుడి మీద భక్తా? ఉండ్రాళ్ల మీద భక్తా?
vinayakudi mida bhakta? undralla mida bhakta?
Is it devotedness to Vinâyaka or to the cakes ? Vinâyaka is one of the names of Gaṇeśa ( No. 1974. ) Cupboard love.
This expression is used to question someone's true motives. It suggests that a person might be performing a task or participating in an activity not out of genuine interest or devotion, but for the secondary benefits or rewards (like food or money) associated with it.
కన్నె సిగ్గు కనడం కోసం
kanne siggu kanadam kosam
The maiden's shyness is for the purpose of giving birth
This expression suggests that a young woman's natural modesty or hesitation is a precursor to marriage and motherhood. It is often used to imply that shyness is a temporary stage or a virtue that eventually leads to the fulfillment of life's biological and social duties.
లంక కాల్చినవాడు హనుమంతుడు.
lanka kalchinavadu hanumantudu.
The man who burnt Lankâ is Hanumân.
This phrase is used to give credit to the person who actually performed a task or took a significant action, often used when clarifying roles in a major event or recognizing true bravery and capability.
సంకటి కోసం రాగులు గంజికోసం చోళ్ళు
sankati kosam ragulu ganjikosam chollu
Finger millets for the porridge, and Ragi for the gruel.
In Telugu, 'Ragulu' and 'Chollu' are synonyms for the same grain (Finger Millet). This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being redundant, making unnecessary distinctions between identical things, or pretending to offer different choices that are actually the same.
ఉడతా భక్తి
udata bhakti
Squirrel's devotion
This expression is used to describe a small but sincere contribution to a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used when someone wants to humbly acknowledge that while their help might be minimal in the grand scheme of things, it is offered with great sincerity.
సూది కోసం చూస్తే ఏడు తరాల రంకు బయటపడిందట
sudi kosam chuste edu tarala ranku bayatapadindata
When looking for a lost needle, the adultery of seven generations was revealed.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small, trivial investigation or pursuit leads to the accidental discovery of a massive, long-hidden scandal or a series of dark secrets. It warns that digging too deep into minor issues might uncover more than one bargained for.
సుఖాలు కష్టాల కోసమే
sukhalu kashtala kosame
Happiness is for the sake of hardships (or hardships follow happiness)
This expression is used to remind someone that life is a cycle of ups and downs. It suggests that comfort and joy are often temporary and serve as a preparation or a precursor to challenging times, encouraging emotional resilience and a balanced perspective on life's fluctuations.