ముక్కు పట్టుకుంటే ప్రాణం పోదా?
mukku pattukunte pranam poda?
If I touch your nose will you lose your life ? A Guru was endeavouring to initiate his disciple into the mysteries of Prânâyâma ( see Wilson ) and touched his nose which the unwilling disciple pretended caused him intense pain. " This ceremony is performed in the following manner: 1st he [ the Brahman ] presses in the right nostril with the fourth finger of his left hand, repeating the name of each Deity; and counting them nine times over upon the joints of the fingers of his right hand with great rapidity, half closing his eyes the while, and drawing in his breath : then gently pressing in the left nostril with the thumb, he breathes out, repeating the same name as many times over. Then releasing the right nostril, and still pressing in the left with the thumb, he terminates the Prunayama [ Prânâyâma. ]" ( The Sundâya by Mrs. S. C. Belnos. ) Said of a lazy sculk.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a small or simple action has a direct, inevitable, and significant consequence. It is often used to point out that even a minor provocation or obstruction can lead to a major failure or total stop in functionality, much like how blocking someone's breath (at the nose) leads to the end of life.
Related Phrases
కరికి ప్రాణము తొండము, సిరికి ప్రాణము మగువ.
kariki pranamu tondamu, siriki pranamu maguva.
The life of an elephant is its trunk, the life of wealth is the woman.
This proverb highlights the vital importance of certain elements to an entity's existence. Just as an elephant depends entirely on its trunk for survival and strength, a household's prosperity (Sri) is believed to reside in and depend upon the character, conduct, and well-being of the woman of the house.
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకుని వేళ్ళాడినట్లు.
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukuni velladinatlu.
Like hanging onto the eaves of the roof when someone is pulling your leg.
This proverb describes a person who is extremely stubborn or desperate to stay in a position or situation even when they are being forcefully removed. It is used to mock someone who lacks dignity and clings onto something despite being clearly unwanted or rejected.
తీగ లాగితే డొంకంతా కదిలినట్లు
tiga lagite donkanta kadilinatlu
When the creeper was pulled the whole bush shook. Injury to the head of the house reaches to all the members.
This expression is used when a small action or a single lead reveals a much larger hidden connection or a whole network of information. Similar to 'tugging at a thread,' it implies that investigating one small part of a situation can expose the entire hidden reality or involve everyone associated with it.
మానము పోయిన వెనక ప్రాణమెందుకు?
manamu poyina venaka pranamenduku?
When honor has gone, why life ?
This expression emphasizes the supreme value of dignity and self-respect over physical life. It is used to convey that for a person of principles, living with disgrace or humiliation is worse than death.
Take away my good name, and take away my life. Either live or die wi' honour.
ముక్కు పట్టని ముత్యము
mukku pattani mutyamu
A pearl that does not suit the nose.
This expression is used to describe something that is excessively large, disproportionate, or ill-fitting for its intended purpose. It can also refer to a person who is too proud or important for a specific role, or someone who is beautiful but difficult to manage.
మాటకు ప్రాణము సత్యము, కోటకు ప్రాణము మానము, చీటికి ప్రాణము వ్రాలు
mataku pranamu satyamu, kotaku pranamu manamu, chitiki pranamu vralu
Truth is the life of a word, honor is the life of a woman, and a signature is the life of a document.
This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.
కాలు పట్టుకొని లాగితే చూరు పట్టుకొని వేలాడేవాడు.
kalu pattukoni lagite churu pattukoni veladevadu.
When you pull him out by the leg, he holds on by the eaves.
This expression is used to describe an extremely stubborn, persistent, or shameless person who refuses to let go or give up. Even when someone tries to remove them or bring them down, they find another way to cling to their position or stay involved.
A man of no delicacy of feeling, not to be got rid of easily. A toady.
గబ్బిలము ఆకాశము పడకుండా పట్టుకొంటాననుకొన్నట్టు.
gabbilamu akashamu padakunda pattukontananukonnattu.
Like the bat which thinks it holds up the sky and keeps it from falling.
This proverb is used to mock an individual's arrogance or delusions of grandeur. It describes a person who overestimates their own importance or capabilities, believing that a massive task or organization is succeeding solely because of their insignificant efforts.
Said of a man who thinks everything depends on himself.
ప్రాణము పోయినా, మానము దక్కించుకోవలెను.
pranamu poyina, manamu dakkinchukovalenu.
Though you lose your life, you must preserve your honor.
This expression emphasizes that one's dignity, honor, and self-respect are more valuable than life itself. It is used to encourage standing by one's principles or integrity, even in the face of extreme danger or death.
పంచాంగములు పోతే నక్షత్రములు పోతాయా?
panchangamulu pote nakshatramulu potaya?
If the almanacks are lost, do the stars go also ? Can the original source not be applied to, when that derived from it has been lost ?
This proverb is used to convey that truth or natural laws do not change just because the records or tools used to measure them are lost or destroyed. It implies that fundamental realities remain constant regardless of human documentation or external circumstances.