మహావృక్షం కింద మొక్కలు మొలవవు

mahavriksham kinda mokkalu molavavu

Translation

Plants do not grow under a giant tree

Meaning

This expression is used to describe how a very dominant or famous personality can overshadow others around them, preventing them from developing their own identity or achieving success. Just as a large tree blocks sunlight and nutrients from smaller plants, a great person's influence might inadvertently stifle the growth of those in their immediate shadow.

Related Phrases

Like having a thorny bush under the Kalpavriksha (divine wish-granting tree).

This expression is used to describe a situation where something ugly, harmful, or inferior exists right next to something divine, magnificent, or superior. It highlights the stark contrast between greatness and misery, or the presence of a nuisance in a place of great benefit.

Like the Gachcha bush growing round the Kalpa tree. The Gachcha is a thorny bush, (Guilandina Bonducella); the Kalpa is the celestial tree of desire. Applied to a benevolent man surrounded by evil persons, who do not suffer others to approach him.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something excellent, noble, or divine is ruined by the presence of something unpleasant, harmful, or inferior nearby. It highlights the contrast between greatness and a nuisance.

The midwife is under the bed, while the woman pretending to be pregnant is on the bed.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is trying to deceive others with a lie, but they are doing so in the presence of someone who knows the absolute truth. It highlights the futility of trying to trick an expert or an eyewitness who is already aware of the reality.

Like having a thorny bush under the celestial wish-granting tree.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something excellent, noble, or divine is marred by the presence of something low, prickly, or unpleasant right beside it. It refers to the irony of having a great blessing accompanied by a nuisance.

Like going to the Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) and asking for raw fruits.

This expression describes a situation where someone has access to an immense, limitless source of wealth or wisdom but asks for something trivial, small, or insignificant. It is used to point out a lack of vision or the inability to recognize and utilize a great opportunity to its full potential.

Plants do not grow under a banyan tree; no one progresses under a dominant person.

This proverb highlights that just as the dense canopy of a banyan tree prevents sunlight from reaching smaller plants, an overly dominant or controlling person (often a patriarch or powerful leader) can stifle the growth, independence, and recognition of those beneath them. It is used to describe situations where someone's overwhelming influence prevents others from developing their own identity or success.

In a place where there are no trees, even a castor oil plant is a great tree.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person with very little knowledge or skill is considered an expert simply because everyone else around them is completely ignorant or incompetent. It is similar to the English expression 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'

A thorny bush under the celestial wish-fulfilling tree; a cobra around the fragrant sandalwood tree.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something divine, beautiful, or beneficial is marred by the presence of something harmful or unpleasant. It highlights the irony of finding bad company or obstacles in the presence of greatness or virtue.

A salaried worker under an impatient man.

This expression is used to describe a stressful situation where a person works for a boss who is extremely restless, impatient, or hurried. It implies that the worker is constantly hounded or pressured because the person in charge lacks patience and expects everything to be done instantly.

In a place where there are no trees, even a Wild Indigo bush is a great tree

This proverb describes a situation where an ordinary or mediocre person is considered great simply because there are no better alternatives available. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.'