జడరాశిలో దాగని ముండమోపి
jadarashilo dagani mundamopi
A widow cannot hide in a crowd of braided women.
This proverb is used to describe an obvious or glaring truth that cannot be concealed no matter how much one tries to hide it among others. Historically, it refers to how a widow (who traditionally had a shaven head or specific appearance) would stand out even in a large gathering of women with long braided hair. It signifies that a distinct defect or a unique identity will eventually be exposed.
Related Phrases
బొట్టు కట్టితేగాని ముండమొయ్యదు
bottu kattitegani mundamoyyadu
She cannot become a widow unless she is first married (by tying the Bottu).
This proverb is used to describe a situation where certain necessary conditions must be met before an outcome—often a negative or inevitable one—can occur. It highlights the logical sequence of events, implying that one cannot experience the consequences of a state (like widowhood) without first entering that state (marriage).
గూట్లో దీపం, కుక్షిలో అన్నం
gutlo dipam, kukshilo annam
[ As soon as ] the light [is] in the niche, [he puts his] food into his belly. To save the oil.
This expression describes a state of basic contentment, security, and stability. Just as a lamp protected in a wall niche stays lit and food in the belly provides immediate satisfaction, it refers to having one's essential needs met—shelter and sustenance. It is often used to describe a simple, worry-free life or a situation where everything is in its proper, safe place.
ఏటు ముందా ఏకాదశి ముందా?
etu munda ekadashi munda?
Which comes first, the blow or the Ekadashi fast?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is already suffering from one problem and is suddenly hit with another. It specifically refers to being caught between a physical hardship (the blow) and a religious or self-imposed hardship (the fast). It is used when someone is overwhelmed by consecutive or simultaneous troubles.
వరి మొలకా, మగమొలకా ఒకటి.
vari molaka, magamolaka okati.
A paddy sprout and a male sprout (child) are one and the same.
This proverb highlights that both a paddy sprout and a male child require constant care, protection, and nurturing in their early stages to ensure a productive future. Just as a young plant is vulnerable to pests and weather, a young boy needs proper guidance and safeguarding to grow into a responsible man.
చిగురించే కోరిక చేతిలో దాగదు
chigurinche korika chetilo dagadu
A budding desire cannot be hidden in the hand
This expression suggests that a new or growing desire, passion, or intention is impossible to conceal for long. Just as a growing sprout cannot be contained within a closed fist, one's true feelings or ambitions will eventually manifest and become visible to others.
ఏరు ముందా, ఏరువాక ముందా, ఏకాదశి ముందా, పున్నమి ముందా?
eru munda, eruvaka munda, ekadashi munda, punnami munda?
Is the river first, the start of plowing first, the Ekadashi festival first, or the full moon first?
This is a traditional Telugu riddle or rhetorical question used to highlight the confusion or overlapping priorities of agricultural and spiritual life. It refers to 'Eruvaka Punnam', a festival marking the start of the monsoon and the first plowing. It is often used to describe a state of confusion when multiple important events happen simultaneously, or to test one's knowledge of seasonal cycles and traditions.
ఇంట్లో పస్తు, వీధిలో దస్తు
intlo pastu, vidhilo dastu
Fasting at home, but dressing up in the street.
This proverb describes a person who pretends to be wealthy and prosperous in public (by wearing expensive clothes or 'dastu') while suffering from poverty and hunger (fasting or 'pastu') in private. It is used to mock vanity, false pride, or the act of maintaining appearances despite financial hardship.
కాశీలో కొబ్బరికాయ కానీ అన్నట్టు
kashilo kobbarikaya kani annattu
Like saying a coconut in Kashi costs only a 'kaani' (a small unit of currency).
This expression refers to someone making tall, unverifiable claims about things happening in a far-off place. Since Kashi is distant, the listener cannot easily verify the price of the coconut, making it a metaphor for boasting or lying about something that cannot be proven immediately.
మంత్రసాని ముందర మర్మము దాచినట్టు
mantrasani mundara marmamu dachinattu
Like covering the body before the midwife. Hide nothing from thy minister, physician, and lawyer.
This expression is used to describe a futile attempt to hide something from an expert or someone who already knows the truth. Just as it is impossible or unnecessary to hide one's body or the process of childbirth from a midwife, it is foolish to try and conceal facts from those who are intimately involved or experienced in a matter.
లగ్గం ముందా పల్లకి ముందా అన్నాట్ట
laggam munda pallaki munda annatta
Did the auspicious wedding time come first, or did the palanquin arrive first?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is caught up in trivial or logistical details (like the arrival of a transport palanquin) while overlooking the primary, essential event (the wedding timing itself). It refers to poor prioritization or unnecessary confusion regarding the order of events.