కొండంత మదపుటేనుగు తొండము లేకుంటే జంత్రము కీలూడినట్లు.
kondanta madaputenugu tondamu lekunte jantramu kiludinatlu.
If a mountain-sized elephant loses its trunk, it is like a machine that has lost its key/main joint.
This proverb describes a situation where an extremely powerful or large entity becomes completely helpless and useless due to the loss of a single, vital component. Just as an elephant relies entirely on its trunk to function despite its size, or a machine fails without its central mechanism, even the greatest person can be rendered ineffective if their core strength or support is taken away.
Related Phrases
కొండంత దూదికి కొండంత నిప్పు యేల?
kondanta dudiki kondanta nippu yela?
Why a mountain of fire to [burn down] a mountain of cotton? A little fire burns up a great deal of corn.
This proverb implies that a small spark is enough to destroy a massive problem if applied correctly. It is used to suggest that one does not need excessive force or resources to tackle a task that has an inherent vulnerability.
గోరంత ఉంటే కొండంత చేస్తాడు
goranta unte kondanta chestadu
When it is as small as a finger nail, he makes a mountain of it. To make a mountain of a mole-hill.
This expression is used to describe someone who has a habit of exaggerating small, insignificant matters or trivial issues into major problems or grand stories. It is equivalent to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.
కీలూడిన యంత్రము - తొండము లేని ఏనుగు
kiludina yantramu - tondamu leni enugu
A machine with a broken joint - An elephant without a trunk.
This expression is used to describe something or someone that has lost its essential power, functionality, or core capability. Just as a machine cannot work without its joints and an elephant is helpless without its trunk, a person or organization becomes useless or ineffective when stripped of their vital strengths or resources.
కొండంత దేవుడికి కొండంత పత్రి పెట్టగలమా?
kondanta devudiki kondanta patri pettagalama?
Can we offer mountain-sized leaves to a mountain-sized God?
This expression is used to acknowledge that one's offerings or gratitude can never truly match the magnitude of the help or blessings received. It is often said humbly when offering a small gift or gesture to someone of great stature or to a deity, implying that while the offering is small, the devotion is large.
ఒంటి కంటే జంట మేలు
onti kante janta melu
A pair is better than being alone
This proverb emphasizes the value of companionship and cooperation. It suggests that two people working together or supporting each other is always better and more effective than a person acting alone. It is often used to encourage marriage, partnership, or teamwork.
బ్రాహ్మణుని చెయ్యీ యేనుగ తొండమూ వూరకుండవు.
brahmanuni cheyyi yenuga tondamu vurakundavu.
A Brahman's hand and an elephant's trunk are never quiet.
This proverb is used to describe people who are always restless or constantly engaged in some activity. Just as an elephant's trunk is always moving or exploring and a priest's hand is constantly involved in rituals, prayers, or receiving offerings, some individuals have a habit of staying busy or meddling in something at all times.
కొండంత దేవుణ్ని కొండంత పత్రితో పూజ చేస్తారా?
kondanta devunni kondanta patrito puja chestara?
Do they offer to a god as great as a mountain, leaves and flowers as much as a mountain? A worshipper is accepted according to his faith, not according to greatness of his offering.
This expression highlights that some things are practically impossible or unnecessary even if they seem logically proportional. It is used to explain that one's devotion or service should be sincere and appropriate to their capacity, rather than trying to match the immense scale of the person or deity being honored with literal material equality.
గోరంత ఉంటే కొండంత చేస్తాడు
goranta unte kondanta chestadu
If it is as small as a fingernail, he makes it as big as a mountain.
This expression is used to describe a person who has a habit of exaggerating things or blowing small issues out of proportion. It is similar to the English idiom 'to make a mountain out of a molehill'.
ఎంత తొండమున్నా దోమ ఏనుగు కాదు
enta tondamunna doma enugu kadu
No matter how long its trunk is, a mosquito cannot become an elephant.
This expression is used to remind that imitation or having a single similar trait does not equate to having the actual stature, strength, or essence of another. It highlights that inherent nature and capability cannot be changed by superficial similarities or mere pretension.
విప్రహస్తం, ఏనుగు తొండం ఊరుకోవు.
viprahastam, enugu tondam urukovu.
A Brahmin's hand and an elephant's trunk never stay still.
This proverb highlights the restless nature of certain entities. Historically, a Brahmin (priest) is always busy performing rituals, chanting, or counting beads with his hand, while an elephant constantly moves its trunk in search of food or to explore its surroundings. It is used to describe people who are always busy or cannot sit idle without doing something.