నిష్ఠ నీళ్ల పాలు, మంత్రము మాలల పాలు
nishtha nilla palu, mantramu malala palu
His religious rites go to the water, and his Mantras to the Pariahs. Said of a great formalist. Most of the religious rites of the Brahmans are performed with water. The sacred formulas ( Mantras ) ought according to the Śāstras to be pronounced in a low voice, inaudible to the people.
This expression describes a situation where all the hard work, discipline, or ritualistic effort put into a task goes to waste due to a small mistake or lack of focus. It is used when someone meticulously follows a process but fails at the final stage, rendering the entire effort useless.
Related Phrases
దొంగల సొమ్ము దొరల పాలు
dongala sommu dorala palu
Thieves' wealth ends up in the hands of rulers.
This proverb suggests that ill-gotten gains or stolen wealth never stay with the person who took it; instead, it eventually gets confiscated by authorities or lost to those in power. It is used to imply that money earned through dishonest means will ultimately be wasted or taken away.
అగడు మగడి పాలు, ఆనందం ఊరి పాలు
agadu magadi palu, anandam uri palu
The hardship is for the husband, while the joy is for the village.
This proverb describes a situation where one person does all the hard work or bears the suffering, while the benefits or celebrations are enjoyed by others who didn't contribute. It is used to highlight unfair distribution of labor and rewards.
వ్యాపారివిత్తంబు వారకాంతల పాలు, కల్లువిత్తము రుంజకాని పాలు
vyaparivittambu varakantala palu, kalluvittamu runjakani palu
The merchant's wealth goes to the courtesans; the liquor seller's wealth goes to the percussionist.
This traditional Telugu proverb suggests that wealth earned through specific means often ends up being spent in specific, sometimes wasteful, ways. It implies that money gained through trade or business might be squandered on luxuries and pleasure, while money earned from selling intoxicants is often lost to those who provide entertainment or associated vices. It serves as a commentary on the transient and cyclical nature of wealth depending on its source.
నిష్ట నీళ్లపాలు, మంత్రం మాలపాలు
nishta nillapalu, mantram malapalu
Devotion gone into the water, and the mantra gone to the outcasts.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where all the hard work, meticulous effort, or ritualistic care put into a task goes completely to waste or is rendered useless due to a small mistake or an unfortunate turn of events. It implies that the sanctity or value of an endeavor has been lost.
సూడిద బూడిద పాలు, ఇల్లాలు ఇతరుల పాలు.
sudida budida palu, illalu itarula palu.
The pregnancy gift goes to the ashes, and the housewife goes to others.
This proverb describes a situation of extreme misfortune or poor management where one's efforts and assets are completely wasted or lost. It specifically refers to a scenario where the customary gifts given during pregnancy (sudida) are squandered or ruined, and the mistress of the house is neglected or ends up serving others. It is used to highlight total domestic ruin or the irony of losing everything due to negligence.
రాజుల సొమ్మ రాళ్ల పాలూ, లంజల పాలూ
rajula somma ralla palu, lanjala palu
The wealth of kings goes to stones and harlots. Kings addicted to debauchery spent their wealth in constructing houses, temples, &c. and also lavished much on their concubines instead of spend- ing their Revenue for the good of people they governed.
This proverb highlights how ill-managed or excessive wealth is often squandered on unproductive vanity projects (like grand stone monuments/forts) or hedonistic pleasures. It is used to caution against the misuse of resources and the inevitable waste that occurs when power and money are not directed toward the welfare of the people.
ఊరి ముందరి చేను కాకుల పాలు
uri mundari chenu kakula palu
A farm located right in front of the village belongs to the crows.
This proverb highlights that assets or properties that are easily accessible to everyone often end up being wasted, damaged, or stolen because they cannot be properly guarded. Just as a field near a village is easily picked over by birds before the owner can harvest it, things that lack privacy or protection are prone to exploitation.
మాల పల్లెలో మంగళాష్టకాలు
mala pallelo mangalashtakalu
The "Eight prayers" said in a Pariah hamlet.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where something sophisticated, sacred, or highly intellectual is presented to an audience that cannot understand, appreciate, or value it. It signifies performing an action that is completely out of place or inappropriate for the given context or setting.
అయ్య ఊరోళ్ళ పాలు, అమ్మ మాలోళ్ళ పాలు
ayya urolla palu, amma malolla palu
The father belongs to the villagers, and the mother belongs to the farmworkers.
This proverb describes a situation where both parents are constantly busy with outside work or social obligations, leaving no time for their own family or household. It is used to critique parents who neglect their responsibilities at home while being overly active in community affairs.
తల్లిలేని పిల్ల దయ్యాల పాలు.
tallileni pilla dayyala palu.
A motherless child is left to the mercy of ghosts.
This proverb highlights the vulnerability and neglect a child might face without a mother's protection. It is used to express that someone without a primary guardian or advocate is often mistreated or exploited by others.