కర్ణుడు లేని భారతం, శొంఠి లేని కషాయం.

karnudu leni bharatam, shonthi leni kashayam.

Translation

A Mahabharata without Karna is like a medicinal decoction without dry ginger.

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

Mahabharata without a leader (Karta).

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.

A decoction without dry ginger is like Ramayana without Rama.

This expression is used to describe something that lacks its most essential or core element. Just as dry ginger is the vital ingredient in a medicinal decoction and Lord Rama is the central figure of the epic Ramayana, a project or situation feels incomplete or pointless without its fundamental component or key leader.

A Mahabharata without Karna is like an herbal decoction without dry ginger.

This expression is used to describe something that is incomplete or lacks its most essential element. Just as dry ginger is the core medicinal ingredient in an Ayurvedic decoction, and Karna is a pivotal, indispensable character in the Mahabharata, a project or situation lacks its true essence or effectiveness without a key component or person.

There are a thousand reasons for Karna's death.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a failure or a complex event cannot be blamed on a single factor, but is rather the result of many contributing causes. In the Mahabharata, Karna's downfall was caused by multiple curses, promises, and circumstances happening at once.

Like swallowing crowbars and then drinking ginger decoction.

This expression is used to describe someone who commits a massive blunder or a serious crime and then tries to fix it or hide it with a trivial, ineffective remedy. It highlights the absurdity of thinking a small act can offset a major wrongdoing or a huge physical impossibility.

No decoction without ginger.

This proverb is used to describe a person or thing that is omnipresent and essential in every situation or task. Just as dry ginger is a mandatory ingredient in traditional Ayurvedic medicine (Kashayam), it refers to someone who is involved in every matter or a solution that is applicable everywhere.

An indispensable accompaniment. No flying without wings. ష.

Karna the giver

This expression is used to describe a person who is exceptionally charitable or generous. It refers to the legendary character Karna from the Mahabharata, who was known for his 'unwavering philanthropy' and for never refusing a request for help, even at the cost of his own life.

A life without a partner is like a spinning top without a string.

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.

A senseless speech, a tuneless song.

This proverb is used to describe speech that lacks intelligence or logic. Just as a song without proper scale or rhythm (shruti) is unpleasant to hear, talk that lacks sense or wisdom is useless and annoying to the listener.

Swallowing crowbars and taking ginger draughts. An insufficient remedy.

This proverb describes someone who commits a major crime or performs an incredibly difficult/sinful act and then performs a minor, trivial ritual to 'purify' themselves or aid digestion. It highlights the absurdity of trying to fix a massive, self-inflicted problem with a tiny, ineffective remedy.