మకరాంకు కేళికోరిన ముకురానన మల్లయుద్ధమునకెట్లు ఓపు?
makaranku kelikorina mukuranana mallayuddhamunaketlu opu?
How can a mirror-faced woman, desired by the God of Love for play, endure a wrestling match?
This is a classical poetic expression (often attributed to the Kanyasulkam era or prabandha style) used to describe a delicate, beautiful woman. It highlights the contrast between her grace and the harshness of physical struggle. It is used to question how someone so refined, soft, or beautiful could possibly handle a situation involving brute force or crude conflict.
Related Phrases
మేత కరణం, కూత కరణం, వ్రాత కరణం
meta karanam, kuta karanam, vrata karanam
Grazing Karanum, shouting Karanum, writing Karanum
This expression describes someone who claims to be an expert in everything but lacks true focus or mastery in a specific trade. It refers to a person who tries to perform multiple roles (like a village head or accountant—Karanum) such as supervising livestock, managing communications, and bookkeeping, often used to mock someone who meddles in every task without doing any properly.
పాము కాళ్ళు పామునకెరుక.
pamu kallu pamunakeruka.
The snake only knows where it's feet are.
This proverb is used to convey that a person's secrets, hidden traits, or internal struggles are best known only to themselves or to those within their own group. Since snakes do not have visible legs, it suggests that things hidden from the world are still known to the one who possesses them or to those of the same kind.
The Hindus believe that a snake has feet, though they are invisible. A man knows his own business best.
తన కొంగున కట్టిన రూక, తన కడుపున పుట్టిన బిడ్డ.
tana konguna kattina ruka, tana kadupuna puttina bidda.
The money tied in one's own garment and the child born from one's own womb.
This expression highlights things that one can truly rely on and call their own. Just as a child is one's own blood, money kept securely with oneself is the only wealth that is guaranteed to be available in times of need. It emphasizes self-reliance and the importance of having personal resources rather than depending on others.
షండునకేలరా సతీ భోగం?
shandunakelara sati bhogam?
Why does a eunuch need the pleasure of a wife?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is given something they are incapable of using or enjoying. It highlights the futility of providing resources or opportunities to someone who lacks the fundamental capacity or skill to make use of them.
వంట చేయకెట్లు వంటకమమరురా
vanta cheyaketlu vantakamamarura
How can a dish be prepared without cooking?
This expression is a metaphor used to explain that success or results cannot be achieved without effort. Just as a meal doesn't manifest without the act of cooking, one cannot expect progress or rewards without putting in the necessary work.
మేతకరణమేగాని కూతకరణం గాదు.
metakaranamegani kutakaranam gadu.
It is for grazing (eating), not for lowing (shouting).
This proverb is used to describe a person who is very active when it comes to consuming or taking benefits but remains silent or inactive when it is time to work, speak up, or contribute. It highlights a selfish or lazy nature where one is present only for the 'eating' part and absent for the 'effort' part.
అరణంకంటే మరణమే మగవానికి శరణం
aranankante maraname magavaniki sharanam
Death is a better refuge for a man than living on a dowry.
This proverb emphasizes the social stigma and loss of self-respect associated with a man living off his wife's wealth or dowry (Aranam). It suggests that for a man with dignity, death is preferable to the humiliation of being dependent on his in-laws' property or a dowry-based lifestyle.
తినమరిగిన ప్రాణం అల్లాడి చచ్చింది
tinamarigina pranam alladi chachchindi
The body accustomed to sumptuous living was distressed for want of food. Applied to a man whose malpractices have been put a stop to, but who is eagerly seeking an opportunity of renewing them.
This expression describes a situation where someone who is used to a life of luxury, comfort, or indulgence suffers immensely when those comforts are taken away. It is used to highlight the struggle of overcoming a habit or a standard of living that one has become overly dependent upon.
ఓర్చిన పసరానికి తేట నీరు.
orchina pasaraniki teta niru.
The animal that waits patiently gets clear water.
This proverb emphasizes the virtue of patience. It draws an analogy to cattle at a pond: those that rush in first stir up the mud, while the one that waits patiently for the water to settle gets to drink clear, clean water. It is used to suggest that calm and patient people eventually receive the best results.
వ్రాత కరణమా? మేత కరణమా?
vrata karanama? meta karanama?
A scribe for writing? Or a scribe for grazing?
This proverb is used to criticize someone who is incompetent at their designated professional task but very efficient at consuming resources or taking benefits. It highlights the irony of a person who holds a position (like a village clerk/Karanam) but excels only at eating (meta) rather than the actual work of writing (vrata).