నాలుకలో నారాయణ, చంకలో చురకత్తి
nalukalo narayana, chankalo churakatti
Narayana on the tongue, a sharp knife under the armpit
This expression describes a person who is a hypocrite or double-faced. It refers to someone who speaks very sweetly or piously (invoking the name of God) but harbors malicious intentions or is ready to backstab others in reality.
Related Phrases
నరకంలో నారాయణుడుంటాడా?
narakamlo narayanuduntada?
Would Narayana (Lord Vishnu) reside in hell?
This expression is used to indicate that one cannot find goodness, peace, or noble people in a place filled with evil or chaos. It suggests that a person's environment dictates what one can expect to find there, or that a divine/pure soul would not be found in a sinful or wretched situation.
డట్టు డట్టు డాలుకత్తి చూరులోన చురుకత్తి
dattu dattu dalukatti churulona churukatti
Dattu dattu shield and sword, a sharp knife in the eaves of the roof.
This is a rhythmic nursery rhyme or a play-chant used by children in Andhra Pradesh. While it doesn't have a deep philosophical meaning, it is often used as a rhythmic 'counting-out' rhyme or during games to create a sense of bravery and action. It describes traditional weapons like the shield and sword, and a sharp hidden knife, capturing a child's imagination of being a warrior.
బాదరాయణ సంబంధం
badarayana sambandham
Badarayana relationship
This expression is used to describe a forced, far-fetched, or imaginary connection between two unrelated things or people. It refers to an illogical attempt to establish a relationship where none naturally exists.
తలలో నాలుక, పూసలలో దారం వలె
talalo naluka, pusalalo daram vale
Like a tongue in the head, and a thread through the beads.
This expression describes someone who is indispensable, highly influential, or deeply integrated into a group. Just as a tongue is essential for speech and a thread holds beads together, it refers to a person who acts as a central, reliable figure or a mediator who maintains unity and functions smoothly within a family or organization.
చంకలో పిల్లను పెట్టుకుని, ఊరంతా వెతికినట్టు
chankalo pillanu pettukuni, uranta vetikinattu
Like holding a child in one's arms and searching for it throughout the whole village.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is searching frantically for something that they already possess or that is right with them. It highlights human absent-mindedness or the irony of looking far and wide for something that is close at hand.
అక్కర ఉన్నంతవరకు ఆదినారాయణ, అక్కర తీరితే గూద నారాయణ
akkara unnantavaraku adinarayana, akkara tirite guda narayana
As long as there is a need, he is Adinarayana (God); once the need is fulfilled, he is Guda Narayana (worthless).
This proverb is used to describe opportunistic or selfish people who show great respect and devotion to someone only as long as they need a favor. Once their objective is achieved, they treat the same person with contempt or indifference.
నాలుకలోనే ఉన్నాయి లాభనష్టాలు
nalukalone unnayi labhanashtalu
Profits and losses lie in the tongue itself.
This proverb emphasizes that success or failure, and friendships or enmities, are determined by how one speaks. Polite and wise speech brings benefits, while harsh or foolish words lead to ruin. It is used to advise someone to be careful with their words.
సముద్రం చంకలో పెట్టుకుని, చెలమకు చేయి చాచినట్లు.
samudram chankalo pettukuni, chelamaku cheyi chachinatlu.
Like having the ocean under one's arm, yet stretching out a hand for a small puddle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who possesses vast resources or great wealth but still begs or seeks help for something insignificant. It highlights the irony of not realizing or utilizing one's own immense potential and instead looking for petty external assistance.
ఎదలో కత్తెర నాలుకలో బెల్లం
edalo kattera nalukalo bellam
Scissors in the heart, jaggery on the tongue
This proverb describes a hypocritical person who speaks very sweetly and kindly (like jaggery) but harbors harmful or malicious intentions (like sharp scissors) in their heart. It is used to warn others about people who are outwardly pleasant but inwardly deceitful.
పక్కలో కత్తి
pakkalo katti
A sword by the side [ on a bed ].
This expression refers to a hidden enemy or a traitor who is very close to you, posing a constant, immediate threat while pretending to be an ally. It is used to describe someone trustworthy who could betray you at any moment.