నీవు చస్తే లోకమెల్లా బోకెలా?
nivu chaste lokamella bokela?
If you were to die, would the whole earth be bones ?
This proverb is used to mock someone's extreme self-importance or vanity. It suggests that the world doesn't stop functioning or lose its value just because one individual is gone. It is often a retort to people who act as if they are indispensable.
Related Phrases
దూడ చస్తే కమ్మలం, గేదె చస్తే నిమ్మళం
duda chaste kammalam, gede chaste nimmalam
If the calf dies there will be Kammalam, if the she buffalo dies there will be quiet. Kammalam, corrupted from the Tamil Kaimúlam (கைமூలం) is a name given to milk drawn from a cow or buffalo which has lost its calf.
This proverb describes a situation where one finds relief or a silver lining in a loss. Losing a calf provides hide for a blanket (a small consolation), but losing the buffalo (which requires a lot of care and work) brings total freedom from the burden of chores. It is used when a difficult responsibility finally ends, even if the ending was a loss.
కాకి చస్తే లోకులు ఎన్నో ఏడుస్తారు, కానీ కొనివాడు చస్తే ఏడ్చేవాడుండడు
kaki chaste lokulu enno edustaru, kani konivadu chaste edchevadundadu
When a crow dies, many people cry (mockingly), but when a lonely or poor person dies, there is no one to weep.
This proverb highlights the irony and hypocrisy in society. It suggests that people often make a big fuss over trivial or common occurrences (like a crow's death) but remain indifferent to the genuine suffering or demise of an unfortunate, isolated individual who has no influence or wealth.
పగలు చస్తే వాటికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపము లేదు
pagalu chaste vatiki ledu, ratri chaste dipamu ledu
If one dies during the day, there is nothing for the mouth; if one dies at night, there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme, wretched poverty where a family lacks even the most basic resources to perform funeral rites. It is used to highlight situations of utter destitution where someone has nothing to fall back on, regardless of the timing or circumstances of their hardship.
భర్త లోకం తన లోకం, కొడుకు లోకం పరలోకం
bharta lokam tana lokam, koduku lokam paralokam
Husband's world is her world; son's world is the afterlife.
This traditional proverb highlights the different roles family members play in a woman's life according to historical social norms. It suggests that while a husband is a woman's primary companion and focus during her lifetime, a son is seen as the one who ensures her spiritual salvation and peace in the afterlife through the performance of last rites and rituals.
నాళ్లల్లోకెల్లా చిన్ననాడే మేలు.
nallallokella chinnanade melu.
Of all times, childhood is the best, or Of all sects, the little sect is the best. Nâdu signifies a sect, it also means time. When Appâji the minister was asked by the king which sect was superior to the others, he cleverly evaded the question, by making a pun on the word.
This proverb expresses nostalgia for the innocence and carefree nature of childhood. It is used to suggest that despite the responsibilities and luxuries of adulthood, the time spent as a child is the happiest and most superior period of one's life.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు.
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu.
If he dies in the day, there is no rice to put in his mouth; if he dies in the night, there is no oil for a lamp. Rice is put into the mouth of the dead at the funeral ceremony. Said of a miserably poor person.
This proverb is used to describe an extreme state of poverty or a situation of absolute misfortune where one lacks even the most basic resources for necessary rituals. It highlights a state of utter helplessness where no matter when or how a problem arises, the means to address it are completely absent.
పగలు చస్తే వత్తికి లేదు, రాత్రి చస్తే దీపానికి లేదు
pagalu chaste vattiki ledu, ratri chaste dipaniki ledu
If one dies during the day there is no wick, if one dies at night there is no lamp.
This proverb describes a state of extreme poverty or a sequence of unfortunate timings where basic necessities are unavailable regardless of the situation. It is used to highlight a person's miserable condition where they lack resources for even essential rites or survival, no matter when or how the need arises.
నాకులకు లోక భయమేల
nakulaku loka bhayamela
Why should the naked fear the world?
This expression is used to describe someone who has nothing left to lose and therefore acts without fear of social consequences, shame, or judgment. Similar to the English proverb 'A beggar can never be bankrupt,' it suggests that once a person is at their absolute lowest or has shed all pretenses, they become immune to the typical fears of society.
నువ్వు చస్తే బొబ్బర్లు
nuvvu chaste bobbarlu
Black-eyed peas if you die
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely selfish or insensitive, someone who only cares about their own gain or benefit even in a tragic situation like someone else's death. It refers to the tradition of serving black-eyed peas (bobbarlu) during funeral rites, implying the person is more interested in the meal than the loss of life.
నీవు చస్తే లోకమంతా ఎముకలా
nivu chaste lokamanta emukala
If you die, is the whole world just bones?
This proverb is used to criticize someone's excessive ego or self-importance. It implies that the world does not stop existing or lose its value just because one individual is gone. It is often said to people who think they are indispensable or that everything revolves around them.