పందిని నందిని, నందిని పందిని చేసేవాడు

pandini nandini, nandini pandini chesevadu

Translation

He can make a common pig into Śiva's bull, and Śiva's bull into a common pig. ( Sec Nos. 1082, 1915. ) Ability in argumentation.

Meaning

This expression refers to a person who is extremely cunning, manipulative, or persuasive. It describes someone capable of twisting facts so skillfully that they can make a lie seem like the truth and vice versa, often used to describe crooked politicians, lawyers, or deceivers.

Related Phrases

If he says it's Śiva's bull, it is Śiva's bull; if he says it's a pig, it is a pig.

This expression describes extreme sycophancy, blind obedience, or a 'yes-man' attitude. It is used to characterize someone who agrees with everything a powerful person says, even if the statements are contradictory or obviously false, just to please them.

Said of the power of a great and unjust man.

Trying to make a sacred bull but ending up with a pig

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone's attempt to create something beautiful, noble, or perfect results in a complete disaster or something ugly. It highlights incompetence or an unintended negative outcome despite having good or ambitious initial intentions.

Whether the crop yields or withers, the tax is inevitable.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one's obligations, debts, or taxes must be paid regardless of their personal circumstances or success. It highlights the rigid and often unforgiving nature of certain systems or responsibilities.

Whether it ripens or withers, work is inevitable.

This proverb emphasizes the necessity of labor regardless of the outcome. In an agricultural context, it means whether the crop yields a harvest (ripens) or fails due to drought (withers), the farmer's hard work must continue. It is used to describe situations where one must fulfill their duties and keep working, irrespective of success, failure, or external circumstances.

The day the crop ripens is the festival day.

This expression is used to convey that the real celebration or reward occurs only when efforts yield fruit. It emphasizes that success and prosperity are the true causes for celebration, rather than just the arrival of a calendar date.

Like trying to make a sacred bull but ending up making a pig.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone attempts to create or do something noble, beautiful, or perfect, but due to lack of skill or an unfortunate mistake, ends up creating something ugly, ruined, or messed up. It is often used to mock incompetence or a failed endeavor that went horribly wrong.

An attire/disguise can deceive or strike a thousand people.

This expression highlights the power of appearance and external form. It suggests that if one dresses the part or puts on a convincing disguise, they can influence, deceive, or command respect from a large group of people regardless of their true nature.

Turning a bull into a pig.

This expression is used to describe someone who is highly skilled in manipulation, distortion of facts, or making absurd arguments to prove a false point. It refers to the ability to portray something as its complete opposite through clever but deceitful words.

The one who stabs the pig is the real soldier.

This expression means that true merit or bravery is determined by one's actions and results in the field, rather than by empty boasts or titles. In the past, wild boar hunting was a dangerous task; therefore, only the person who actually completed the kill was considered a true warrior. It is used to suggest that success belongs to the person who performs the difficult task at hand.

A person who can turn a divine bull into a pig, and a pig into a divine bull.

This expression describes someone who is extremely manipulative, cunning, or skilled at distorting the truth. It is used to refer to a person who can make something good look bad, or something bad look good, often through clever words, influence, or deceitful arguments.