నీటికొలది తామరతూడు

Just as a lotus flower rises or adjusts its position based on the depth of the water it grows in, noble or great people demonstrate their excellence and virtues in proportion to the challenges or situations they face. It suggests that true character adapts and shines through regardless of the depth of the circumstances.

This expression describes a state of detachment or instability. Just as water stays on a lotus leaf without getting absorbed or sticking to it, it represents a person who remains unaffected by worldly attachments or circumstances despite living among them. It can also describe something that is fleeting or precarious.

This proverb is equivalent to 'As you sow, so shall you reap.' It signifies that the results or outcomes of any endeavor are directly proportional to the effort, quality, and preparation invested in it. It is used to remind someone that their success is a reflection of their own hard work.

This proverb highlights the difference in status or priority between two people. It refers to how a royal person (Rayadu) wears a turban on their head, while a washerman (Chakali) wears a loincloth around their waist, though both may use similar cloth. It is used to describe situations where things are allocated according to one's status or where there is a clear hierarchy in importance.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone acts according to their own whims and fancies without any restraint or regard for rules. It refers to someone behaving as if they are the sole authority or owner of a place, doing whatever they please.

This traditional expression emphasizes the importance of ethics and character. It suggests that a person lacking moral values is as unpredictable or undisciplined as a monkey, whereas a person (specifically referring to a woman in this poetic context) with integrity and principles is truly noble and respected.

This expression is used to describe a state of detachment or non-attachment. Just as a drop of water sits on a lotus leaf without wetting it or sticking to it, a person should remain involved in worldly activities or relationships without becoming emotionally entangled or affected by them.

This expression is used to describe someone who is deeply immersed or stuck in a situation, often referring to being overwhelmed by debts, troubles, or being deeply involved in a specific task or emotion. It signifies a state of being nearly submerged or overwhelmed.

This proverb suggests that one's intake or appreciation of something depends on their necessity or appetite for it. In a broader sense, it means that the value or quantity of a resource consumed is determined by the intensity of the underlying need.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone solves one problem by creating another, or uses a resource meant for a fundamental necessity to satisfy a less critical need. It refers to poor planning or a makeshift solution that lacks common sense, as leaving the waist uncovered to cover the head is counterproductive.