నా పాదమే గతి అన్నట్టు

na padame gati annattu

Translation

My foot is my safety. The disciples of a Guru on commencing to cross a river said " May the holiness of our master's feet preserve us!" After they had crossed it in safety the self righteous Guru believing that his presence had preserved them, stepped into the water saying "My foot is my safety" and was carried away by the stream, and drowned.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn, independent to a fault, or someone who refuses to listen to others' advice, acting as if they are their own only authority. It can also describe someone who has no one else to rely on but themselves.

Related Phrases

Like a young bull that has tasted the lush grass of the valley and refuses to return to its manger.

This proverb is used to describe a person who has experienced better opportunities, luxuries, or freedom elsewhere and is no longer willing to return to their previous, restricted, or mundane life. It highlights the difficulty of bringing someone back to a routine or humble state once they have tasted a superior or more enjoyable lifestyle.

Virtue alone is success, God alone is a refuge.

This expression emphasizes that following the path of dharma (righteousness) will ultimately lead to success, and that placing faith in the divine is the ultimate path to salvation or protection. It is often used to encourage moral integrity and spiritual reliance during difficult times.

For the one with no recourse, Goddess Gangamma is the only refuge.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone has absolutely no other options or alternatives left, forcing them to rely on a single, often final, source of hope or support. It is similar to the English proverb 'Beggars can't be choosers' or 'A drowning man catches at a straw'.

Excessive action ruins one's fate.

This proverb warns that overdoing anything or acting with excessive pride or greed will eventually lead to one's downfall. It is similar to the English saying 'Too much of anything is good for nothing' and is used to advise moderation in behavior and lifestyle.

The woman who always comes gets only a plain cake.

This expression is used to describe a situation where, despite expectations of change or improvement, someone remains in the same poor or stagnant condition. It signifies that some people's fate or routine never changes regardless of the circumstances.

Nippati is a kind of damper.

Like saying that a donkey has eaten a basketful of husk. Nothing wonderful.

This expression is used to describe someone who has done a lot of work or exerted significant effort, but for a result that is completely useless or worthless. It highlights the futility of an action where the quantity of effort does not match the quality of the outcome.

The fate is proportional to the mind.

This proverb suggests that one's future or destination is determined by their thoughts, wisdom, and mindset. If you have a good and focused mind, you will reach a good position in life; essentially, your attitude dictates your altitude.

When asked which way, saying 'Godavari' way.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone gives an irrelevant or nonsensical answer to a specific question, or when there is a complete lack of communication/understanding between two people. It highlights a disconnect where the response has nothing to do with the query.

As if saying my feet are the only refuge

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is left with no choice but to retreat or flee quickly. It is often used to mock someone who ran away in fear or abandoned a task out of cowardice, suggesting their own feet (running away) were their only savior.

Shall we fall in the day time into the pit into which we fell at night? Shall we not benefit by experience ? Bought wit is best. Experience teaches. (Latin.):

This proverb is used to express that once someone has learned from a past mistake or a bad experience (the 'night'), they will be more cautious and avoid the same pitfall in the future (the 'day'). It signifies learning a lesson and becoming wiser.

* Mulgere hircum. † A mal nudo mal cuo. I Experientia docet.