మనసుకు నచ్చినవాడు మగడుకానీ మంగళసూత్రం కట్టగానే మగడు కాడు

manasuku nachchinavadu magadukani mangalasutram kattagane magadu kadu

Translation

The one who is liked by the heart is the husband, not just the one who ties the mangalsutra.

Meaning

This expression emphasizes that true companionship and a husband's status are earned through love, mutual understanding, and emotional connection rather than through the mere ritual of marriage or tying a sacred thread. It is used to highlight that legal or ritualistic bonding is secondary to emotional compatibility.

Related Phrases

The hardship is for the husband, while the joy is for the village.

This proverb describes a situation where one person does all the hard work or bears the suffering, while the benefits or celebrations are enjoyed by others who didn't contribute. It is used to highlight unfair distribution of labor and rewards.

A goiter is not a pillow, and a dream is not the truth.

This proverb is used to warn against relying on false hopes or deceptive appearances. Just as a swelling (goiter) on the neck cannot serve as a comfortable pillow despite its shape, a dream cannot be treated as reality. It emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between painful burdens and actual comforts, as well as between fantasy and facts.

No matter how many fine ornaments one has, can any of them become the Mangalasutra?

This proverb emphasizes that every object or person has a specific, unique role and value that cannot be replaced by others, regardless of how expensive or superior the alternatives might be. In a traditional context, it highlights that regular jewelry (wealth) cannot replace the sacred significance of the wedding thread (Mangalasutra).

For the tiger-man, the tickler-man is the husband.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a strong, fierce, or arrogant person is eventually defeated or outsmarted by someone even more capable or clever. It conveys the idea that no matter how powerful someone is, there is always someone superior who can keep them in check.

Only the man who has deep affection/infatuation is a true husband.

This proverb emphasizes that a man's worth as a husband is defined by the love, care, and attraction he shows toward his wife, rather than just his title or authority. It is used to suggest that emotional devotion is the hallmark of a good spouse.

A new beggar doesn't know the time of day.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is new to a job or position and works with excessive, often misplaced, zeal or without understanding the practical constraints. Just as a new beggar might keep asking for alms at odd hours without realizing when people are likely to give, a novice often overdoes things or lacks the experience to judge the right timing and boundaries.

The one who gives is liked, the one who dies is free of debt.

This proverb reflects a pragmatic and somewhat cynical view of human nature. It suggests that people only like those who provide them with something or give them money. The second part implies that a person's debts are effectively canceled or their accounts are settled only when they pass away, often used to comment on the difficulty of recovering debts or the fleeting nature of social approval based on transactions.

Like the servant who acts like the master

This expression is used to describe a situation where an employee or subordinate behaves with more authority or arrogance than the actual owner or employer. It highlights the irony of someone in a service position overstepping their boundaries and acting overly superior.

A husband for appearances only, not for providing happiness.

This proverb is used to describe a situation or person that looks competent or sufficient on the outside but fails to fulfill their primary responsibilities or provide the expected benefits. In a literal sense, it refers to a spouse who maintains the social status of marriage but fails to provide emotional, physical, or financial support. Metaphorically, it is used for any object or person that is decorative but useless in practice.

The man one keeps is not a husband, the child one raises is not a son.

This proverb reflects traditional social views on legitimacy and formal bonds. It suggests that informal relationships or foster care do not equate to the legal and social status of a marriage or biological lineage. It is often used to emphasize that titles or roles earned through convenience or temporary arrangements lack the permanence and sanctity of formal, recognized institutions.