నరం వంటి వాడికి జ్వరం వస్తే, చేయి జూచినవాడు బ్రతుకడు

This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty where a person barely has enough to feed themselves (potta ganji). When a guest arrives, the host feels distressed or sorrowful because they lack the resources to offer hospitality or even share their meager meal. It is used to illustrate situations where one's own survival is so precarious that any additional social obligation becomes an unbearable burden.

This proverb is a satirical take on professions that profit regardless of the outcome. It suggests that if a sick person recovers, the doctor earns money and fame, but if the person dies, the priest earns fees for performing the funeral rites. It is used to describe situations where certain parties benefit from both success and failure.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to rainfall patterns. It suggests that if the moon enters the 'Hasta' constellation (nakshatra) on a Sunday during the monsoon season, it will result in extremely heavy, torrential rainfall.

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.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone seeks help or resources from someone who is in an even more desperate or needy position than themselves. It highlights the irony and futility of asking for assistance from those who lack the means to support even their own needs.

This expression is often used as a lighthearted or humorous response when someone says they have no money. It refers to a play on the word 'Hasta', which is an astrological star but also means 'hand' in Sanskrit. The phrase implies that the hand is empty or that one has reached a state of financial 'emptiness' on a specific day.

This proverb describes someone who is unreliable or fickle. It refers to a person who makes a grand promise one day and backs out or makes excuses the very next day. It is used to caution against trusting people who are quick to commit but fail to follow through.

This proverb describes a situation where someone is extremely intimidated or frightened by another person, even if that person appears small or insignificant. It is often used to mock someone who is unnecessarily afraid of a newcomer or a subordinate, or to highlight a dynamic where a seemingly weak person actually holds significant power over others.

This expression is used to describe a powerful, infallible remedy applied to a severe or unstoppable problem. In Telugu culture, 'Ramabanam' (Rama's arrow) symbolizes something that never misses its mark (here referring to a persistent or lethal ailment), while 'Vajrayudham' (Indra's weapon) represents the ultimate, indestructible cure that can overcome such a formidable challenge.

When one is dogged by misfortune, one will not escape misfortune, even if one goes to a holy place to ward off the evil influence.