నర్మదలో మునిగినా కర్మం తప్పదు

narmadalo munigina karmam tappadu

Translation

Even if you bathe in the Narmada river, your karma cannot be escaped.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that one cannot escape the consequences of their actions (karma) simply by performing religious rituals or taking holy dips in sacred rivers. It is used to suggest that fate or the results of one's past deeds are inevitable and must be faced regardless of external purification acts.

Related Phrases

Everything is dependent on one's actions (Karma).

This expression is used to signify that the results in life are governed by the actions a person performs. It is often used to emphasize accountability or to provide consolation that destiny is a result of previous deeds.

When one went to do a righteous deed, a misfortune wrapped around them.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone tries to do a good deed or help others, but instead of receiving gratitude or success, they end up getting into trouble or facing negative consequences themselves.

Will the result of your deeds go away at your bidding ?

This proverb is used to convey that one must face the consequences of their past actions or destiny, whether they like it or not. It suggests that avoiding inevitable difficulties is impossible and that one should develop the fortitude to endure them.

Will the fate that has arrived leave just because you say you don't want it?

This proverb is used to emphasize that one must face the consequences of their past actions or inevitable destiny. It suggests that once a difficult situation or the result of one's karma arrives, it cannot be avoided or escaped simply by wishing it away; it must be endured.

When one went to do a good deed, bad fate/karma coiled around them.

This expression is used when someone tries to help others or do something virtuous, but ends up facing unexpected trouble or negative consequences as a result of their kindness. It is similar to the English saying, 'No good deed goes unpunished.'

Even after going to Kashi, one's fate/karma cannot be escaped.

This expression means that a person's destiny or the consequences of their past actions follow them regardless of where they go or what pilgrimages they undertake. It is used to describe situations where someone tries to escape their problems or bad luck by changing their location, only to find the same difficulties persisting.

Even if you go to Kashi, your karma will not leave you.

This proverb emphasizes that one cannot escape their destiny or the consequences of their past actions simply by changing their location or visiting holy places. It is used to suggest that fate is inevitable regardless of external efforts to avoid it.

Karma burns away like a dry leaf

This expression is used to describe the complete and rapid destruction of one's past sins or destiny, often through divine grace, intense penance, or wisdom. Just as a dry leaf (karaku) catches fire instantly and turns to ash, one's burdens or bad luck are said to be annihilated.

Even if it dips in the Ganges, will a crow become a swan?

This proverb is used to convey that a person's fundamental nature, character, or inherent qualities do not change simply by changing their environment, performing religious rituals, or putting on external appearances. Just as a crow remains a crow regardless of where it bathes, a person with bad intentions or lack of merit cannot become noble just by association with something sacred.

Will the destiny that has arrived go away just because you say no?

This proverb is used to express that one must face the consequences of their past actions (Karma) or inevitable life situations. It suggests that once a certain fate or trouble has arrived, it cannot be avoided simply by wishing it away or refusing to accept it; one must endure and go through it.