నాపాపము నాతోనుంటే, శ్రీపతి బిరుదమునకేమి బ్రతుకు

napapamu natonunte, shripati birudamunakemi bratuku

Translation

If my sin remains with me, what is the value of Sripathi's (Lord Vishnu's) title?

Meaning

This expression is used to highlight that if a savior cannot wash away the sins or solve the problems of a devotee, then their title as a 'protector' or 'savior' becomes meaningless. It is often used in a philosophical or self-deprecating context to question the efficacy of divine intervention or to point out that a person's reputation depends on their ability to fulfill their role.

Related Phrases

A man's life is a bowl full of grains; a woman's life is a grain in the gruel.

This traditional proverb reflects historical gender roles and social hierarchies. It suggests that a man's life or contribution is seen as substantial and central (a bowl full of food), while a woman's life is often perceived as supplementary or less significant (a single grain in liquid). It is used to describe the disparity in how society values the lives and roles of men and women.

If there is life, one can survive by eating Balusaku (common shrub leaves).

This proverb emphasizes that life is the most precious thing of all. It suggests that as long as one is alive, there is hope, and one can survive even on the simplest or most humble food during hard times. It is used to encourage resilience and prioritizing survival over luxury or pride.

Anger is a partner to sin

This proverb suggests that anger is the root cause or a close companion of sinful actions. It implies that when a person is angry, they lose their sense of judgment and are more likely to commit wrongdoings or harmful acts.

When asked 'Mother, how shall I survive?', the mother replied 'Survive by using your mouth (speech), my child'.

This expression highlights that communication skills and articulateness are essential for survival and success. It is used to describe situations where someone makes a living or gets things done through their power of speech, persuasion, or sometimes by being vocal and assertive about their needs.

Sin means fear

This expression is used to describe someone who is God-fearing, ethical, or has a strong conscience. It implies that a person's fear of committing a sin or doing wrong keeps them on the path of righteousness and integrity.

A single day's opportunity, a year's livelihood.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of timing and seizing the right moment. It suggests that acting at the right time (especially in agriculture or business) can provide sustenance and stability for a long period. It is used to highlight that missing a crucial opportunity might lead to a year of hardship.

You take the sin of killing the cat, I'll take the sin of eating your molasses. Said by a stingy Kômati to a Brahman priest to whom he had presented tha cheapest possible offering that would expiate the sin he had committed by killing a cat, viz., a little image of a cat made of molasses, which he afterwards was greedy enough to take back again and swallow.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone hypocritically tries to equate a major transgression with a minor or harmless act. It highlights a person's clever but unfair way of shifting blame or normalizing their own small gains while others face the consequences of serious mistakes. It is often used to mock someone who tries to share 'blame' in a way that actually benefits them.

A woman's life is like a banana leaf.

This proverb highlights the perceived vulnerability and fragility of a woman's life in traditional society. Like a banana leaf, which gets damaged whether it falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on it, a woman's reputation or life is seen as being easily affected by circumstances regardless of who is at fault.

How can a dog which has eaten a horse live ?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone takes on a task far beyond their capacity or consumes resources they cannot digest. It implies that over-ambition or greed leading to actions beyond one's strength or status will eventually lead to one's downfall or destruction.

A woman's life is a fragile/humble life

This is a traditional Telugu proverb often used to express the perceived vulnerability, hardships, or subordinate status women faced in social structures. It suggests that a woman's life is delicate or subject to many challenges. In modern contexts, it is sometimes used to reflect on the historical plight or difficulties specific to women's experiences.