పడుచుసేద్యం పాకానికిరాదు

This proverb describes a state of dilemma or dissatisfaction where one finds faults in both the old ways/things and the new alternatives. It is used when a person is stuck in a transition phase, unable to rely on past experiences or tools while finding the newer ones ineffective or difficult to adapt to.

This proverb highlights a traditional ideal for a prosperous and stable family. It suggests that if the father takes care of agriculture (ensuring food security) and the son becomes a doctor (ensuring health and income), the family will always have 'koodu' (food/sustenance) right in the middle or in abundance. It is used to describe a perfectly balanced and self-sufficient household.

This proverb is used to describe things that are temporary or unreliable. Palm wood burns very quickly and turns to ash before it can be carried home for use, and a toddy tapper's wife is often busy helping her husband in the fields or with sales, making her unavailable for other chores. It signifies that certain efforts are futile because the nature of the object or person is inherently unsuitable for the desired outcome.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the lunar asterisms (Kartelu). It suggests that heavy rains during the Magha and Pubba periods are detrimental to crops. It implies that regardless of who is farming or how hard they work, the yield will be ruined (turned to dust/mud) if it rains excessively during this specific time of the season.

This proverb emphasizes the importance of hard work and agriculture. It implies that if a person is lazy or refuses to work the land, they will end up so poor that they won't even have the minimal amount of food required to offer to God in prayer. It is used to highlight that survival and prosperity depend on labor.

This is an old proverb reflecting historical social prejudices. It suggests that associating with certain groups (historically based on caste or occupation) might lead to complications or is unsuitable for one's status. In a modern context, it is used to caution against keeping company with people who have incompatible lifestyles or those who might cause trouble, though it is largely considered outdated due to its discriminatory roots.

This proverb emphasizes that any task or enterprise requires energetic and youthful resources to be successful. Just as farming depends on the strength of young oxen, any organization or project needs the vigor of youth and health to sustain productivity and progress.

This proverb is used to describe a situation of extreme inefficiency or futility. It suggests that just as meager wages are insufficient to provide even a basic meal, a person with a low or stubborn character (leki) is impossible to manage or reform. It is often used to remark on someone who is both unproductive and unmanageable.

This proverb serves as a warning against excessive extravagance and living beyond one's means. It suggests that a household focused only on constant celebration and wasteful spending, rather than saving or maintenance, will eventually face financial ruin and lose everything.

This is an agricultural proverb highlighting the importance of weeding and inter-cultivation. It suggests that removing weeds with a 'papatam' (a specific farm tool) benefits the soil and crop growth as much as plowing the field ten times, as it loosens the soil and eliminates competition for nutrients.