కూపస్థమండూకం

Refers to a situation or a grasp from which escape is impossible. In the Ramayana, Kabandha was a demon with long arms that could reach out and trap anything; hence, the term is used to describe a death-grip, a stranglehold, or being trapped in a complex, inescapable predicament.

This proverb describes people who have no understanding of their own traditions, lineage, or deeper identity, and instead identify themselves solely by their mundane job or their employer. It is used to mock those who prioritize temporary, material roles over their fundamental cultural or spiritual roots.

This proverb advises that being overly hesitant or shy in two specific areas—eating and business dealings—is detrimental. In the context of food, if you are shy, you might remain hungry; in business or practical affairs, shyness can lead to losses or being cheated. It encourages being assertive and clear about one's needs.

This proverb is similar to 'Barking dogs seldom bite.' It describes people who talk excessively or boast constantly about their intentions but fail to take actual action or achieve results. It implies that those who are busy making noise are usually not focused on the work at hand.

This expression highlights the importance of honor, integrity, and keeping one's word over material wealth. It is used to convey that a person of character values their reputation and promises more than money or possessions.

This expression is used to describe a person who is already difficult to work with or has a certain quirk, and then adds even more annoying habits or irrational behavior on top of it. It highlights a situation where someone's existing limitations are compounded by their own stubbornness or unreasonable nature.

This expression describes a situation where someone intentionally makes excuses or feigns inability to avoid doing a task or following a suggestion. It highlights a spirit of non-cooperation or finding faults to escape responsibility.

This humorous proverb is used to describe people who lack knowledge of their own traditions, roots, or identity. Apasthamba and Ashwalayana refer to Vedic schools (Sutras), but the characters in the saying confuse these scholarly lineages with their manual labor job under a local employer. It is used to mock ignorance or the loss of cultural identity in favor of mundane or materialistic pursuits.

This expression is used to highlight the contrast between a life of asceticism or discipline (Yoga) and a life of indulgence or pleasure (Bhoga). It suggests that the comforts and pleasures found in a luxurious lifestyle are not present in a disciplined, spiritual path, or vice versa, emphasizing that one must choose their path based on their priorities.

This expression describes the inherent nature of certain things or people to be constantly active or moving. A Brahmin's hand is traditionally busy with rituals, counting beads, or receiving alms, while an elephant's trunk is always swaying or searching. It is used to remark on someone who is restlessly busy or a situation where constant activity is inevitable.