మిండల కొడుకుల సంపద దండుగలకే గాక దాన ధర్మములగునా
mindala kodukula sampada dandugalake gaka dana dharmamulaguna
Will the wealth of a paramour's sons be used for charity rather than for fines?
This proverb suggests that wealth acquired through immoral or ill-gotten means will only be wasted on useless expenses or penalties (dandugalu) rather than being spent on noble causes like charity or religious deeds. It is used to remark that money earned dishonestly never serves a good purpose.
Related Phrases
దానా దండుగే గాని, దమ్మిడీ పనికాదు.
dana danduge gani, dammidi panikadu.
A waste of fodder, but not even a dammidi's worth of work.
This proverb is used to describe someone who consumes a lot of resources (like food or money) but contributes absolutely nothing in terms of productivity. A 'dammidi' was a coin of the smallest denomination in ancient India. It is typically used to criticize laziness or inefficiency.
దండుగలో పండుగ
dandugalo panduga
A festival in the middle of a loss
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone finds a small reason to celebrate or gains a minor benefit amidst a significant loss or a wasteful expenditure. It refers to making the best of a bad situation or finding a silver lining in a calamity.
ధర్మానికి దండుగ లేదు, వెట్టికి పైసా లేదు
dharmaniki danduga ledu, vettiki paisa ledu
There is no waste in charity, and there is no pay for forced labor.
This proverb highlights two contrasting concepts: that giving to a good cause is never a loss or waste of resources, whereas forced labor (vetti) provides no financial reward or compensation to the worker. It is used to encourage voluntary service or charity while acknowledging the exploitative nature of unpaid toil.
మొగుడిని చూస్తే దండుగ, మిండని చూస్తే పండుగ
mogudini chuste danduga, mindani chuste panduga
Seeing the husband is a waste, seeing the lover is a festival.
This is a bold, satirical proverb used to describe a person who neglects their duties or legitimate relationships (like a husband) in favor of forbidden or exciting external attractions (like a lover). It is used to mock people who find no value in the things they already possess but are overjoyed by things that are fleeting or improper.
ముట్టుకుంటే మూడు దండుగలు
muttukunte mudu dandugalu
Touch it and there are three losses/penalties.
This expression is used to describe a situation or a person that is so problematic, fragile, or ill-fated that any involvement results in unnecessary waste of time, money, and effort. It warns against engaging with something that brings only liability.
వానలెక్కడ అంటే దానధర్మాలున్న ధరణిలో అన్నట్లు
vanalekkada ante danadharmalunna dharanilo annatlu
When asked 'Where does it rain?', the reply was 'In the land where charity and righteousness exist'.
This proverb suggests that natural blessings and prosperity occur where people are generous and virtuous. It is used to highlight the belief that the well-being of a society is a direct result of the collective goodness and charitable nature of its people.
తనకు మాలిన ధర్మము, మొదలు చెడ్డ బేరము
tanaku malina dharmamu, modalu chedda beramu
To give that in charity which a man himself needs to receive from others is like trading after the loss of one's principal.
This proverb warns against excessive generosity or helping others at the cost of one's own basic needs or survival. It suggests that doing charity while neglecting your own family or self is foolish and unsustainable, much like a business transaction that results in the loss of the principal investment.
ధర్మము తల కాచును
dharmamu tala kachunu
Virtue protects the head. The reward of virtue in this life is protection from evil.
This proverb means that one's righteous deeds and moral conduct will act as a shield and save them from danger or misfortune in critical times. It is used to encourage ethical behavior, suggesting that being good eventually leads to being protected by one's own karma.
నీకు ఒక దండం, నీ బువ్వకు ఒక దండం
niku oka dandam, ni buvvaku oka dandam
A bow to you, a bow to your food. Said when offered bad food.
This expression is used when someone is fed up with another person's troublesome behavior or difficult nature. It signifies a desire to cut ties or stay away from them, implying 'I don't want your company, nor do I want to share a meal with you; just leave me alone.'
పండుగ పైన దండుగ
panduga paina danduga
An extra expense on top of a festival expense
This expression is used to describe a situation where an unexpected or unnecessary additional expense occurs at a time when one is already spending heavily, typically during a celebration or crisis. It signifies the burden of 'wasteful' costs added to already high costs.