మెడలో రుద్రాక్షలు, మదిలో మదిరాక్షులు

medalo rudrakshalu, madilo madirakshulu

Translation

Rudraksha beads around the neck, but wine-eyed women in the mind.

Meaning

This proverb describes hypocrisy or a lack of genuine devotion. It refers to a person who puts on an outward display of piety or asceticism (wearing sacred beads) while their mind is actually occupied with worldly pleasures or lustful thoughts. It is used to call out those who pretend to be spiritual or virtuous but are deceptive in their intentions.

Related Phrases

If someone is beaten in a crowded market, who will be the witness?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an action is performed amidst so much chaos, noise, or a large crowd that it becomes impossible to identify the culprit or find a specific witness. It highlights how anonymity or confusion in a crowd can be used to escape accountability.

For the illiterate Virupaksha Deekshita, are twenty-one sweets a challenge?

This expression is used to describe someone who lacks knowledge or skill in a particular area but excels in consumption or simple physical tasks. It highlights a contrast between a lack of intellectual depth ('illiterate') and a huge appetite or capacity for material indulgence. It is often used sarcastically to refer to someone who is more interested in eating than learning.

A forehead full of vermilion is worth ten lakhs.

This traditional expression highlights the auspiciousness and cultural significance of wearing a 'bottu' (bindi/vermilion) on the forehead. It suggests that a person (traditionally a woman) who wears it looks dignified, prosperous, and culturally complete, as if they possess great wealth or value.

Water in a field that is naturally seeping or springing.

This expression refers to a situation or resource that is constant and self-replenishing. Just as a field with a natural spring (oota) never runs dry, it describes someone with inexhaustible talent, wealth, or a continuous flow of ideas.

A demon who chants the name of Rama.

This expression describes a hypocrite who pretends to be pious, virtuous, or godly by outward appearances or speech, but possesses a wicked and cruel nature internally. It is used to warn others about individuals who use religion or a 'good person' persona as a facade to hide their malicious intentions.

The protection of the great Râma.

This expression is used to signify divine protection or a strong safeguard. It is commonly used as a blessing for someone's safety, or to describe something that is perfectly secure and beyond harm. It can also be used as a closing statement to wish for ultimate well-being.

Said in cases of absolute want, &c.

For a person with an empty/illiterate stomach like Virupaksha Dikshita, is eating twenty-one sweets even a challenge?

This proverb is used to describe a person who is uneducated or lacks intellectual depth (nirakshara kukshi) but has an insatiable appetite or a singular focus on material consumption. It suggests that for someone who doesn't spend time on learning or refinement, performing a task of indulgence—like eating a large number of sweets—is effortless and of no consequence.

Rudraksha beads around the neck, but wine-eyed women in the mind.

This expression describes a hypocrite who puts on a show of holiness or spirituality (represented by the sacred Rudraksha beads) while harboring worldly, lustful, or sinful thoughts (represented by 'madirakshulu' or beautiful women). It is used to call out someone whose external appearance and internal character are at odds.

Like tying Rudrakshas around the neck of a Vaishnavite.

This expression describes a situation where something completely inappropriate, contradictory, or incompatible is forced upon a person or a situation. Since Rudraksha beads are symbols of Shaivism and are generally avoided by devout Vaishnavites, it represents a profound mismatch of traditions or values.

If the amulets are gone, will the scars disappear?

This proverb suggests that external remedies or temporary protections might hide a problem, but they cannot erase the permanent consequences or history of an event. It is used to emphasize that even if a conflict is resolved or a protector is gone, the deep-seated wounds or bad reputation (scars) remain.