పంతులు గింతులు పావుశేరు మెంతులు ఎగరేసి కొడితే ఏడు గంతులు
pantulu gintulu pavusheru mentulu egaresi kodite edu gantulu
Pundits and such are like a quarter seer of fenugreek seeds; if you toss them up and strike, they jump seven times.
This is a humorous and mocking rhyming chant or 'sameta' used to poke fun at teachers or scholars (Pantulu). It suggests that despite their status, they can be easily rattled or made to jump around. It is often used by children or in a lighthearted, albeit disrespectful, way to diminish the authority of a teacher.
Related Phrases
గడి ఎక్కానేనే, గంతులు వేయా నేనే
gadi ekkanene, gantulu veya nene
I am the one who climbed the fence, and I am the one who jumped over it.
This expression is used to describe a person who claims full credit for an action or achievement, emphasizing their individual effort and prowess. It can also imply a sense of self-importance or boastfulness about one's own capabilities in completing a task from start to finish.
గడిచి బ్రతికినాము అని గంతులు వెయ్యరాదు.
gadichi bratikinamu ani gantulu veyyaradu.
Don't jump about saying you have got through [ your diffi- culties. ] Don't halloo till you are out of the wood.
This proverb warns against complacency or excessive celebration after narrowly escaping a problem. It suggests that while one might have overcome a current crisis, life is unpredictable, and one should remain humble and prepared for future challenges rather than being overconfident.
గడచి బ్రతికామని గంతులు వేయరాదు
gadachi bratikamani gantulu veyaradu
One should not jump with joy just because they survived a difficult time.
This proverb serves as a caution against overconfidence or complacency after escaping a danger. It implies that life is unpredictable, and just because you survived one crisis doesn't mean you are immune to future challenges; therefore, one should remain humble and cautious.
తడిగుడ్డతో గొంతు కోయడం
tadiguddato gontu koyadam
Slitting the throat with a wet cloth
This expression describes someone who causes harm or betrays others in a very subtle, smooth, and seemingly harmless manner. It refers to a person who acts like a friend or well-wisher on the surface but performs an act of extreme cruelty or treachery without making a scene.
పంతులు పెళ్ళాం మెంతులు లేక గంతులు వేసిందట
pantulu pellam mentulu leka gantulu vesindata
The priest's wife supposedly jumped around because she didn't have fenugreek seeds.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone makes a huge fuss or throws a tantrum over a very trivial or minor issue. It highlights the absurdity of reacting dramatically to the lack of something insignificant.
చేతులు పొడుగు అని మూతులు పొడుస్తారా?
chetulu podugu ani mutulu podustara?
Just because your hands are long, will you poke someone's face?
This proverb is used to criticize people who misuse their power, influence, or status to harass or insult others. It implies that having the capability or strength to do something does not give one the right to act unfairly or cross boundaries.
అందానికి గోవింద గంతులు
andaniki govinda gantulu
Govinda's jumps for beauty
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs awkward, unnecessary, or excessive actions in an attempt to look beautiful or impressive, but ends up looking ridiculous or failing to achieve the desired grace.
పదలం నూలుపోగాలేనిది పంతులుకాడు.
padalam nulupogalenidi pantulukadu.
One who does not have a single thread of knowledge is not a scholar.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks even the most basic knowledge or foundational understanding of a subject, yet claims to be an expert. Just as a piece of cloth cannot exist without a thread, a teacher or scholar ('Pantulu') cannot exist without basic wisdom or character.
సుతులు లేని వారికి గతులు లేవు.
sutulu leni variki gatulu levu.
Those who do not have sons have no salvation.
Historically, this proverb reflects an old belief that a son is necessary to perform final rites for parents to attain 'Moksha' (salvation). In a modern context, it is often used to discuss traditional family values or the cultural importance placed on continuing the lineage.
బతకలేక బడిపంతులు
batakaleka badipantulu
Unable to survive, one becomes a school teacher.
This proverb refers to a situation where someone takes up a profession or a specific task out of sheer necessity or as a last resort because they have no other means of livelihood. Historically, it reflects a time when teaching was seen as a low-paying job taken only by those who failed elsewhere, though it is now used generally for any compromise made for survival.