కాశికి పోగానే కర్రి కుక్క గంగి గోవు అవునా?
kashiki pogane karri kukka gangi govu avuna?
Will a black dog become a holy cow by merely going to Benares?
A change in location or environment does not change a person's inherent nature or character. This proverb is used to point out that visiting holy places or performing external rituals cannot wash away deep-seated flaws or transform someone who is fundamentally wicked into someone virtuous.
Formal observances cannot make a sinful man holy. He that goes a beast to Rome, a beast returns. ( Italian. )* Send a fool to the market, and a fool he'll return.
Related Phrases
కుక్క గోవు కాదు, కుందేలు పులి కాదు.
kukka govu kadu, kundelu puli kadu.
A dog is not a cow, and a rabbit is not a tiger.
This expression is used to emphasize that things or people have their own inherent nature and limitations. One cannot change their fundamental character or identity to become something superior or entirely different just by imitation or wishful thinking.
కుక్కపైన కంబళి వేయగానే గంగిరెద్దు అవుతుందా?
kukkapaina kambali veyagane gangireddu avutunda?
Does putting a blanket on a dog make it a sacred bull?
A person's character or inherent nature doesn't change simply by changing their appearance or attire. True identity is internal and cannot be masked by external decorations or pretenses. It is often used to criticize someone trying to appear more noble or capable than they actually are.
కర్రికుక్క కపిలగోవు అవునా?
karrikukka kapilagovu avuna?
Will a black bitch become a Kapila cow ? The Kapila is a tawny cow worshipped by the Hindus.
This proverb is used to emphasize that a person's inherent nature, character, or fundamental qualities cannot be changed by superficial means or simply by wishing for it. It suggests that something of low quality or ill-natured character cannot transform into something noble and sacred.
పొరుగూరు పోగానే పోవునా దుర్దశ
poruguru pogane povuna durdasha
Will bad luck vanish just by going to a neighboring village?
Changing locations or moving to a different place does not necessarily solve one's problems if they are inherent or caused by poor luck/decisions. It highlights that destiny or the consequences of one's actions follow them wherever they go, and running away is not a solution to fundamental misfortune.
కాశీకి వెళ్లి కుక్క చెప్పులు తెచ్చినట్లు
kashiki velli kukka cheppulu techchinatlu
Like going to Kashi and bringing back dog sandals
This proverb describes a situation where someone goes to a great deal of trouble, effort, or travels a long distance for a very noble or significant purpose, but ends up bringing back something trivial, useless, or base. It is used to mock people who waste major opportunities or resources on insignificant outcomes.
కాశీకి వెళ్ళగానే కర్రి కుక్క గంగ గోవు అవుతుందా?
kashiki vellagane karri kukka ganga govu avutunda?
Will a black dog turn into a holy cow just by going to Kashi?
This proverb suggests that a person's fundamental character or nature does not change simply by visiting a holy place or changing their environment. It is used to point out that superficial actions cannot hide or transform one's true qualities.
కాశీకి పోయి కుక్క బొచ్చు తెచ్చినట్టు.
kashiki poyi kukka bochchu techchinattu.
Like going to Benares, and bringing back dog's hair.
This proverb is used to describe someone who goes on a long, arduous journey or undertakes a significant task, only to return with something trivial, worthless, or useless. It highlights the irony of putting in great effort for a meaningless result.
Great labour and small results.
బ్రతికి ఉండగా పాలు లేదు గాని, చచ్చిన వెనక గంగిగోవును దానం చేస్తానన్నట్టు.
bratiki undaga palu ledu gani, chachchina venaka gangigovunu danam chestanannattu.
While he lived no milk was given to him, but he was pro- mised that a sacred cow would be presented [on his ac- count] to a Brahman, after his death.
This proverb describes a hypocritical or ironic situation where someone neglects a person's basic needs when they are alive or in need, but makes grand, expensive gestures of charity or honor once they are gone. It is used to criticize people who perform showy acts of virtue too late to be of any actual help.
కాశికి పోయినా కర్మం తప్పదు.
kashiki poyina karmam tappadu.
Even if you go to Kashi, your karma will not leave you.
This proverb emphasizes that one cannot escape their destiny or the consequences of their past actions simply by changing their location or visiting holy places. It is used to suggest that fate is inevitable regardless of external efforts to avoid it.
తిరుపతికి పోగానే తురక దాసరి అవునా?
tirupatiki pogane turaka dasari avuna?
Will a Mussulman become a Dâsari by going to Tirapati? Tirapati ( prop. Tirupati ) is a sacred hill about 80 miles from Madras.
This proverb is used to emphasize that a person's fundamental nature, identity, or habits do not change simply by visiting a place or changing their environment. It highlights that external actions do not necessarily lead to internal transformations.