జన్మ దుఃఖం, జరా దుఃఖం, వ్యాధి దుఃఖం, సర్వం దుఃఖం
janma duhkham, jara duhkham, vyadhi duhkham, sarvam duhkham
Birth is suffering, old age is suffering, disease is suffering, everything is suffering.
Derived from Buddhist philosophy, this expression highlights the fundamental truth of human existence: that life is inherently filled with various forms of pain and hardship. It is used to describe the cycle of life and the inevitability of suffering across different stages—from birth to old age and illness.
Related Phrases
కాని కాలం కోటి దుఃఖం
kani kalam koti duhkham
One sixty-fourth part of folly will bring ten millions of sorrows. A little neglect may breed great mischief.
This expression is used to describe a period of misfortune where everything seems to go wrong. It implies that when luck is not on your side (bad timing/adversity), one problem leads to another, resulting in immense suffering.
సుఖం స్వర్గం, దుఃఖం నరకం
sukham svargam, duhkham narakam
Happiness is heaven, suffering is hell.
This expression simplifies the philosophical concept that heaven and hell are not physical places one goes to after death, but are states of mind experienced in the present life based on one's circumstances and mental outlook. It is used to emphasize that living happily is equivalent to being in paradise.
దూడ అంత దుఃఖము, పాడి అంత సుఖము లేదు.
duda anta duhkhamu, padi anta sukhamu ledu.
There is no sorrow like losing a calf, and no happiness like the yield of milk.
This proverb is used to describe the highs and lows of a livelihood or profession. Just as a farmer feels deep grief when a calf dies (a loss of future potential) but feels immense satisfaction when the cow gives milk (immediate reward), it signifies that every gain comes with its own set of risks and emotional burdens.
అతిశయ దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపుదుఃఖం కలకాలం
atishaya duhkham arunelalu, kadupuduhkham kalakalam
Excessive grief lasts six months, but the grief of losing a child lasts forever.
This proverb contrasts different types of sorrows. While general intense grief or social mourning might fade over a period (metaphorically six months), the pain a parent feels over the loss of their own child (kadupu duhkham) is permanent and remains for a lifetime.
చావు తప్పి కన్ను లొట్టబోయింది
chavu tappi kannu lottaboyindi
Death was avoided, but the eye was hollowed out.
This expression is used to describe a situation where one narrowly escapes a major disaster or death, but still suffers a significant, though non-fatal, loss or damage. It is similar to the English saying 'to have a close shave' or 'escaping by the skin of one's teeth' but with an emphasis on the minor damage incurred during the escape.
చాలని బట్టకొంటే చినిగేవరకు దుఃఖము, చాలనిమగని చేసుకుంటే చచ్చేవరకు దుఃఖము
chalani battakonte chinigevaraku duhkhamu, chalanimagani chesukunte chachchevaraku duhkhamu
Buying insufficient cloth brings grief until it tears; marrying an incompatible husband brings grief until death.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of making wise, long-term decisions. Just as buying cloth that is too small or of poor quality causes constant annoyance until it is worn out, choosing an unsuitable life partner leads to a lifetime of regret and sorrow. It serves as a warning to be careful in choices that have lasting consequences.
చచ్చిననాటి దుఃఖం మరునాడు ఉంటుందా
chachchinanati duhkham marunadu untunda
Does the grief of the day of death stay the same the next day?
This proverb highlights the transient nature of human emotions, particularly sorrow. It suggests that time heals all wounds and that the intensity of grief or anger naturally diminishes as time passes. It is used to console someone or to point out that life goes on despite great losses.
అర్తి దుఃఖం ఆరునెలలు, కడుపు దుఃఖం కలకాలం
arti duhkham arunelalu, kadupu duhkham kalakalam
The grief of the neck [lasts] six months; the grief of the womb, for ever. The " grief of the neck " signifies widowhood, when the marriage cord is broken. The " grief of the womb" signifies the loss of a child.
This proverb highlights the depth of emotional loss. It suggests that while the sorrow of losing a partner (arti) might fade or heal with time, the pain of losing one's own child (kadupu) is an eternal wound that never truly heals. It is used to describe the incomparable bond between a parent and child.
* Can ch'abbala non morde.
దూడలేని పాడి దుఃఖపు పొడి
dudaleni padi duhkhapu podi
Dairy without a calf is like a pinch of grief.
This proverb highlights that milking a cow without its calf is difficult and joyless. Metaphorically, it describes any endeavor or situation that lacks its essential core or foundation, leading only to sorrow and dissatisfaction instead of prosperity.
ఆర్తి దుఃఖం ఆరు నెలలు, కడుపు దుఃఖం కలకాలం.
arti duhkham aru nelalu, kadupu duhkham kalakalam.
The grief of a spouse lasts six months, but the grief of a child lasts a lifetime.
This proverb contrasts different depths of loss. It suggests that while the pain of losing a spouse or partner (arthi) might fade over time as life moves on, the 'pain of the womb' (kadupu dukham)—referring to the loss of one's child—is a permanent sorrow that never truly heals and stays with the parent forever.