జోడు లేని బ్రతుకు, తాడు లేని బొంగరం.

This traditional proverb reflects historical gender roles and social hierarchies. It suggests that a man's life or contribution is seen as substantial and central (a bowl full of food), while a woman's life is often perceived as supplementary or less significant (a single grain in liquid). It is used to describe the disparity in how society values the lives and roles of men and women.

This expression reflects a traditional societal sentiment that a life without children is empty, difficult, or lacks purpose. It suggests that having offspring is what gives life fulfillment and value, and without them, existence feels like a heavy or meaningless struggle (labour).

This proverb highlights the importance of companionship. Just as a top cannot spin or find direction without a string to guide it, a person's life without a life partner is seen as aimless, unstable, or lacking support and control.

This expression is used to describe someone who is exceptionally clever, cunning, or capable of achieving results without the necessary tools or through manipulation. It often refers to people who can make things happen through sheer wit or by tricking others.

This expression is used to describe someone who lacks any ties, responsibilities, or assets. It often refers to a person who is roaming aimlessly without any sense of direction or accountability, or to a situation that is completely disorganized and lacks a proper basis.

This expression is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks its most essential and defining element. Just as Karna is a pivotal, soul-stirring character in the epic Mahabharata, and dry ginger (shonthi) is the indispensable core ingredient of a traditional herbal tonic (kashayam), a project or a gathering feels hollow without its key participant or component.

This expression is used to describe a person who is irresponsible, lacks roots, or has no attachments or accountability. Just as a spinning top cannot be controlled or operated without a string, it refers to someone who is wandering aimlessly or a situation that has no proper foundation or control.

This proverb highlights the perceived vulnerability and fragility of a woman's life in traditional society. Like a banana leaf, which gets damaged whether it falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on it, a woman's reputation or life is seen as being easily affected by circumstances regardless of who is at fault.

This proverb highlights that a job or position that doesn't provide enough income for basic survival is useless and lacks dignity. In traditional context, a mustache was seen as a symbol of pride and honor for a man; similarly, a job's primary purpose is to provide livelihood, and without that, it holds no value or respect.

This expression is used to describe something that lacks structure, logic, or a clear purpose. It refers to a situation, story, or task that is disorganized, incoherent, and makes no sense from the start to the end.