జోడులేని బ్రతుకు త్రాడులేని బొంగరము.

This expression refers to a situation or a large group of people lacking leadership, direction, or a sense of responsibility. It is used to describe chaos or a project that is going nowhere because nobody is taking charge, similar to the epic Mahabharata if it had no central figure or duty-bound purpose.

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 expression suggests that eating food without enjoyment, company, or variety feels like a chore or a necessity for survival, similar to taking medicine, rather than being a pleasurable experience. It emphasizes the importance of hospitality and the social aspect of dining.

This expression is used to describe an extremely clever, manipulative, or resourceful person who can achieve results or control situations without the conventional tools or means. It can be used both as a compliment for someone's ingenuity or as a cautionary remark about a master manipulator.

This expression is used to describe a situation, event, or discussion where the most essential person or core element is missing. Just as the epic Ramayana cannot exist without its protagonist Rama, this rhetorical question highlights the absurdity of an endeavor that lacks its central figure or primary purpose.

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 the importance of companionship. Just as a top cannot be spun or controlled without a string, a person's life is seen as directionless, unstable, or incomplete without a life partner or soulmate to support and balance them.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is deeply affected, controlled, or punished by words, social pressure, or psychological influence rather than physical force. It is often used to refer to a verbal reprimand or a situation where a person is bound by their own sense of duty or obligation without any physical constraints.

A sudden and unaccountable calamity.

This proverb highlights the futility or lack of purpose in certain situations. Just as a spinning wheel (raatamu) is useless without cotton slivers (eekulu) to spin, a domestic conflict or struggle (poratamu) in a household lacks traditional resolution or foundation in the absence of the husband (the head of the household in the historical context of the saying). It is used to describe a situation that is incomplete, ineffective, or leading nowhere.