కీలు ఎరిగి వాత పెట్టాలి

This expression refers to an extremely embarrassing or awkward situation where one is forced to seek help from a close relative for a private or shameful problem. It highlights the discomfort and loss of dignity involved when personal matters cannot be kept secret due to necessity.

This proverb highlights the importance of proximity in different professions. It suggests that farming is best done in a fertile village (even if it's far), but medical help should be available in the village where one resides for immediate access during emergencies. It is used to discuss the strategic location of services based on necessity and convenience.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of verifying background and quality before making life-altering decisions. Just as one inspects the physical traits and health of livestock, one should understand the family values and upbringing (lineage) of a partner before marriage, as these factors significantly influence the future of a household.

In the past and also occasionally at present, there is a practice of scorching or branding literally as a therapy. One should identify the problem and take appropriate steps to solve it. In other words, you have to know the sensitive spot and work on it for your success.

This expression suggests that one should act according to the specific circumstances or the weakness of a person. In a literal sense, it refers to traditional medicine where a cauterization (branding) is done exactly at the joint to be effective; metaphorically, it means to handle a situation or a person precisely where it matters most or based on their specific temperament.

This expression is used to describe a volatile or eccentric person whose behavior is unpredictable. If they are happy or pleased, they are extremely generous and helpful (giving a boon), but if they are offended or in a bad mood, they can be extremely destructive or hurtful (giving a curse). It highlights the risk involved in dealing with such individuals.

This proverb describes an extremely embarrassing or awkward situation where a problem is sensitive/private, but the person available to help is someone with whom one must maintain dignity and distance (like a son-in-law in Indian culture). It is used to refer to dilemmas where seeking help causes more shame than the problem itself.

This proverb describes a situation of extreme embarrassment and awkwardness where one is forced to discuss or show a private, shameful problem to a relative with whom such intimacy is culturally inappropriate or taboo. It is used to highlight situations involving great hesitation and the inability to seek help due to the delicate nature of the relationship.

This expression refers to a 'win-win' situation for a professional or intermediary where they benefit regardless of the outcome. It is often used to describe situations where a person profits whether the patient recovers (earning a fee) or dies (earning a ritual fee), highlighting a scenario where the service provider has no risk of loss.

A cow is presented at funerals to a Brahman to enable the soul of the deceased to get across the burning river Vaitarani which is said to separate heaven from earth. Said by a Brahman priest and doctor.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and precision. It suggests that one should understand the root of a problem or the specific situation (the joint) before acting (cauterizing/burning), and should wait for the most opportune moment to strike or make a move.