కడి గండం కాచును, వత్తి మిత్తి కాచును.

kadi gandam kachunu, vatti mitti kachunu.

Translation

The silver ring protects from danger; the wick protects from death.

Meaning

This is an old Telugu saying related to superstitious beliefs and traditional medicine. It suggests that wearing a silver ring (kadi) can ward off accidents or evil eyes, while a medicinal wick or oil lamp (vatti) can prevent death or severe illness. It is used to highlight how small traditional remedies or protective charms are believed to save one from great calamities.

Related Phrases

A mother looks at the stomach; a wife looks at the back.

This proverb contrasts the nature of love and expectations. A mother's concern is primarily for her child's well-being and whether they have eaten (the stomach), reflecting selfless care. In contrast, a wife is traditionally depicted as looking at the 'back' to see what her husband has brought home (burdens or earnings), symbolizing the practical expectations and responsibilities within a marriage.

The mother will look at his belly the wife at his back. The mother will look to see how her son fares, the wife to see what her husband has brought home for her. Come but come stooping.

This proverb contrasts the different perspectives of love and dependency. A mother's love is selfless, worrying if her child has eaten enough (stomach), whereas a wife's perspective (historically in this context) might be focused on the provisions or earnings the husband brings home (the load on the back). It highlights the transition from being cared for to having responsibilities.

* 'Ακέφαλος μυθος. † II domandar costa poco.

A lump of food [given in charity] will save you from trouble. He who lends to the poor, gets his interest from God. (German.)

This proverb highlights the importance of timely help or minimal sustenance. It implies that even a very small amount of food or a minor timely intervention can save a person from a life-threatening situation or a major calamity.

The harvest depends on how the flowers bloom.

This proverb is used to say that the initial signs or the beginning of a process often indicate the final outcome. Just as a good flowering season suggests a bountiful fruit harvest, the quality of preparation or early progress determines the ultimate success of an endeavor.

A tree full of fruit fears the gale, but does a heavy log fear it?

This proverb highlights that those who have something to lose (like a tree with fruit or a person with status/responsibilities) are vulnerable and cautious, whereas those who have nothing to lose or are insensitive (like a dead log) remain indifferent to threats. It is used to describe how people with responsibilities must be careful, while the idle or thick-skinned are unbothered.

Patience will save you and your neighbour.

This expression highlights the virtue of patience (Tahlimi). It suggests that by remaining patient, a person can avoid self-destruction or making impulsive mistakes while also preventing conflict and harm to those around them. It is used to advise someone to stay calm in provocative situations.

A snake bites; a scream (or commotion) spoils.

This proverb suggests that while a snake's bite is a direct physical harm, the panic or loud screaming that follows can cause even more damage or ruin the situation. It is used to advise someone to stay calm during a crisis, as overreacting or creating a commotion can be more counterproductive than the problem itself.

Virtue protects the head. The reward of virtue in this life is protection from evil.

This proverb means that one's righteous deeds and moral conduct will act as a shield and save them from danger or misfortune in critical times. It is used to encourage ethical behavior, suggesting that being good eventually leads to being protected by one's own karma.

When a grain of rice fell on his foot, he started with conceit. It is only when a man has plenty to eat that he lets a grain fall.

This expression is used to describe someone who overreacts or creates a huge fuss over a very trivial, insignificant issue. It highlights the behavior of being overly sensitive or dramatic about minor inconveniences.

Washing protects against calamity.

This proverb highlights the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. It suggests that the simple act of washing (hands, feet, or body) can ward off diseases or 'gandamu' (critical dangers/accidents), implying that being clean prevents many avoidable troubles.