నోటి వక్రం గంజి పెడమూట
noti vakram ganji pedamuta
Crooked mouth, and the rice water is in a tied bundle.
This proverb describes a situation where everything is going wrong or being done incorrectly. It refers to a person who lacks the skill to do a job (crooked mouth) trying to perform a task in a ridiculous or impossible way (tying liquid rice water in a bundle). It is used to mock incompetence or a series of unfortunate, self-inflicted blunders.
Related Phrases
కోకకు బెట్టిన గంజి కూడిరాదు
kokaku bettina ganji kudiradu
The starch applied to a saree does not come back to be eaten.
This expression is used to describe an irreversible expenditure or investment. Just as starch used to stiffen a saree cannot be recovered or consumed as food (porridge) again, money or resources spent on certain luxuries or temporary needs cannot be reclaimed for essential purposes.
వక్రమా వక్రమా ఎందుకు పుట్టినావంటే, సక్రమమైన వాళ్ళను వెక్కిరించను అన్నదట.
vakrama vakrama enduku puttinavante, sakramamaina vallanu vekkirinchanu annadata.
When asked, 'Oh crookedness, why were you born?', it replied, 'To mock those who are straightforward.'
This proverb describes the nature of cynical or wicked people who cannot appreciate goodness or honesty. Instead of improving themselves, such individuals find pleasure in mocking, criticizing, or finding faults in those who follow a righteous and straightforward path. It is used to highlight that some people's sole purpose or habit is to undermine the integrity of others.
అప్పులేని గంజి దొప్పెడే చాలును
appuleni ganji doppede chalunu
A cupful of rice water without debt is enough.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that a humble or meager meal earned honestly and without borrowing is far better than a feast bought with borrowed money. It is used to advise people to live within their means and prioritize financial independence over luxury.
Out of debt, out of danger. Happy is he who owes nothing. (Greek.) !
నోటి గుట్టం గంజి పెడమూట
noti guttam ganji pedamuta
[ By ] a slip of the mouth, a bundle of food on the back. In Ujjayini ( Ougein ) there lived a merchant called Diptimanta. He went to Jångala to trade. There he met another merchant named Vivēka- manta who on one occasion said to him " Tell me a story that is not known in the world, that has not come to your ears, and that I have not heard." After being twitted often by Diptimanta on account of his inability to comply with this unreasonable request, Vivēkamanta undertook to per- form the task, provided Diptimanta should not pronounce his story to be false, and in the event of his doing so, should pay him 100 pagodas. Dip- timanta having agreed, Vivēkamanta said " On one occasion my great grand-father Vanikpati when going to trade in another country met your great grand-father Prithikpati and they entered into partnership. Shortly afterwards they reached a spot where grew a large and beautiful Banyan tree near which was a tank. Liking the place, they agreed that Vanikpati should remain there and sell the goods which Prithikpati would send him from another country. This was carried on for some time and afterwards when they met and compared their accounts, it was found that Prithikpati was in Vanikpati's debt 100 pagodas. For long I have sought you," added Vivēkamanta, " and now I beg you will pay me the balance due." Dipti- manta being unable to deny the truth of the story lest he should incur the forfeit, was compelled to pay the 100 pagodas, and beg his way to his own country, carrying what food was given to him in a bundle on his back. Some people who met him enquired what bundle he was carrying, to which he replied " By a slip of the mouth, have I been reduced to carry a bundle of food on my back." The evil consequences of an idle word.
This proverb describes a person who prioritizes idle talk or gossip over their basic needs or duties. It refers to someone who spends their time talking so much that they neglect their food or work, effectively 'carrying their meal' away while their mouth remains busy.
కూడు వండుట గంజి కొరకా?
kudu vanduta ganji koraka?
Is the rice cooked just for the sake of the starch water?
This proverb is used to point out when someone focuses on a minor byproduct or a trivial secondary outcome while ignoring the main objective. It suggests that one shouldn't perform a major task just for a small, insignificant benefit.
ఎందుకు పుట్టినావు వక్రమా అంటే సక్రమమైన వాళ్ళను వెక్కిరించను అన్నదట.
enduku puttinavu vakrama ante sakramamaina vallanu vekkirinchanu annadata.
When asked 'Why were you born, O Crooked One?', it replied 'To mock those who are straight/upright'.
This proverb is used to describe people who possess no virtues of their own but spend their time ridiculing and finding faults in honest or capable people. It highlights how some people's sole purpose or habit is to disparage others' integrity.
వన్నెకాని గంజి ఈగలపాలు.
vannekani ganji igalapalu.
The gruel of a showy person becomes the share of flies.
This proverb refers to people who are overly concerned with outward appearances or vanity but neglect the essence of their work or resources. It suggests that if someone wastes time being pretentious instead of being practical, their efforts or possessions will go to waste or be enjoyed by undeserving entities (like flies on spilled food).
గంజి తాగినా, లంజ కావాలి
ganji tagina, lanja kavali
Even if one only drinks porridge, they still want a concubine.
This proverb is used to criticize someone who lacks basic necessities or lives in poverty but still harbors expensive, immoral, or luxury-seeking desires. It highlights the irony of having high demands or vices without having the means to fulfill basic needs like food.
అప్పులేని గంజి దొప్పెడే చాలు
appuleni ganji doppede chalu
A small bowl of gruel without debt is enough.
This proverb emphasizes the peace of mind that comes with being debt-free. It suggests that living a humble or simple life within one's means is far superior to living luxuriously on borrowed money. It is used to advise someone to prioritize financial independence and contentment over superficial status.
పుదుచ్చేరిలో వీధులు సక్రమమేగాని, బుద్ధులు వక్రం; పువ్వు పుట్టగానే పరిమళిస్తుంది
puduchcherilo vidhulu sakramamegani, buddhulu vakram; puvvu puttagane parimalistundi
In Puducherry, the streets are straight but the minds are crooked; A flower is fragrant as soon as it is born.
This is a combination of two distinct expressions. The first part refers to a satirical observation that external order (like straight streets) does not guarantee internal integrity. The second part is a popular proverb used to describe a person whose innate talent or character is evident from childhood or from the very beginning of an endeavor.