ఇంట్లో లింగాకారం, దోవలో చక్రాకారం, ఇక్కడ జడలాకారం, ఎక్కడా అన్నాకారం లేదు అన్నాడట.
intlo lingakaram, dovalo chakrakaram, ikkada jadalakaram, ekkada annakaram ledu annadata.
At home the form of the Lingam, in the road the form of the Chakra, here the form of matted hair, but no where is there the form of rice. Said by a disappointed man. At home he was too poor to eat any thing but Sankati ( No. 2512 ) which being coarse food stands up in the dish like a Lingam. When travelling to visit a relative he could only get in the road common round cakes ( Dōse ) in shape like the Chakra (Vishnu's discus ) and when he arrived at his kinsman's house instead of being treated with good fare he was only given Zantikalu ( country Vermicelli ).
This proverb describes a state of utter poverty or the frustration of a person who encounters various shapes and symbols in rituals or nature, but fails to find actual food to eat. It is used to mock situations where there is plenty of symbolic or decorative display, but a lack of basic necessities or substance.
Related Phrases
ఇంట లింగాకారం, బయట చక్రాకారం, ఇక్కడికి వచ్చావా జడలుదాల్చి
inta lingakaram, bayata chakrakaram, ikkadiki vachchava jadaludalchi
Inside a Lingam shape, outside a wheel shape, have you come here with matted hair?
This is a traditional Telugu riddle (podupu katha) describing a tamarind fruit. The 'wheel shape' refers to the curved pod, the 'Lingam shape' refers to the seeds inside, and 'matted hair' refers to the fibrous veins surrounding the pulp.
ఉపకారానికి పోతే అపకారం వెంటవచ్చినట్లు
upakaraniki pote apakaram ventavachchinatlu
Like harm following a gesture of help
This proverb is used when a person's attempt to do a good deed or help someone results in unexpected negative consequences or trouble for themselves. It describes situations where kindness is met with ingratitude or accidental misfortune.
ఆకారం ఉంటే శ్రీకారం ఉండదు.
akaram unte shrikaram undadu.
If there is a shape, there is no beginning (sacred start).
This proverb is used to comment on someone who has physical beauty or a grand appearance but lacks knowledge, basic skills, or a good beginning in education/character. 'Shreekaram' signifies the start of learning or auspiciousness, while 'Aakaram' refers to outward appearance.
మేత కరణం, కూత కరణం, వ్రాత కరణం
meta karanam, kuta karanam, vrata karanam
Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum
This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.
ఉపకారానికి పోతే అపకారం ఎదురైనట్లు
upakaraniki pote apakaram edurainatlu
Immediately after doing good, I received an ill return. Base ingratitude.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to help or do a good deed backfires, resulting in trouble or an ungrateful response from the recipient. It is similar to the English saying 'No good deed goes unpunished.'
నక్క ఎక్కడ, దేవలోకం ఎక్కడ?
nakka ekkada, devalokam ekkada?
Where is the jackal ? where is heaven ? What prospect has the jackal of entering heaven ? A hopeless idea.
This expression is used to highlight a vast disparity or extreme difference between two things or people. It suggests that comparing them is absurd because one is lowly or insignificant (the fox) while the other is grand or celestial (heaven).
ఉపకారానికి పోతే అపకారం వచ్చినట్లు
upakaraniki pote apakaram vachchinatlu
Like receiving harm when going to do a favor.
This expression is used when a person's good intentions or helpful actions result in an unexpected negative outcome or trouble for themselves. It describes a situation where someone tries to help others but ends up being blamed, criticized, or harmed in return.
బతికితే అతిసారం, చస్తే కలరా
batikite atisaram, chaste kalara
If one survives, it is diarrhea; if one dies, it is cholera.
This expression is used to describe a 'no-win' or 'lose-lose' situation where both possible outcomes are negative or undesirable. It highlights a predicament where the choice is between a minor ailment and a fatal one, implying that there is no truly good option available.
సుతారం, సూదిలోని దారం.
sutaram, sudiloni daram.
Delicacy, like a thread in a needle.
This expression is used to describe something extremely delicate, fine, or sensitive. It can refer to a person's gentle temperament, a precise piece of work, or a situation that requires very careful handling, much like the precision needed to pass a fine thread through the eye of a needle.
లోన వికారం, బయట శృంగారం
lona vikaram, bayata shringaram
Ugliness inside, beauty outside
This expression is used to describe a person who is deceptive or hypocritical. It refers to someone who maintains a polished, attractive, or virtuous appearance to the world while harboring wicked intentions, bad character, or inner turmoil. It is similar to the English phrase 'All that glitters is not gold' or 'A fair face and a foul heart'.