పతిభక్తి చూపిస్తాను మగడా చెప్పులు తే, నిప్పులు తొక్కుతాను
patibhakti chupistanu magada cheppulu te, nippulu tokkutanu
Husband, I will show my devotion; bring me sandals and I shall walk on fire.
This humorous proverb describes a person who sets impossible or hypocritical conditions before showing loyalty or performing a task. It is used to mock people who pretend to be ready for a great sacrifice but demand comfort (like sandals to walk on hot coals) that defeats the purpose of the sacrifice itself.
Related Phrases
చిత్తం శివుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
chittam shivuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida
The mind is on Lord Shiva, but the devotion is on the sandals.
This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be focused on a spiritual or serious task while their actual interest or worry lies elsewhere (usually on materialistic or trivial things). It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration.
పూజా పునస్కారాలు లేక బూజెక్కి ఉన్నానుగాని నైవేద్యం పెట్టి చూడు నా మహిమ చూపిస్తానన్నాడట
puja punaskaralu leka bujekki unnanugani naivedyam petti chudu na mahima chupistanannadata
I am covered in cobwebs because there are no prayers or rituals, but offer me some food and see how I show my power, said the deity.
This expression is used to describe someone who blames their lack of success or performance on a lack of resources or opportunities. It mocks people who claim they would be great if only they were given favors or benefits first, often used when someone is making excuses for their current state of neglect or laziness.
భక్తి లేని పూజ పత్రి చేటు.
bhakti leni puja patri chetu.
Worship without devotion is a waste of leaves,
For a true worship of gods, it is not the external paraphernalia that is as important as devotion.
చిత్తము శివునిమీద, భక్తి చెప్పులమీద.
chittamu shivunimida, bhakti cheppulamida.
He has a mind to worship Siva, but his thoughts are on his shoes ( left outside the temple ).
This proverb is used to describe a person who appears to be focused on a spiritual or serious task but is actually distracted by trivial or worldly concerns. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration, similar to someone praying in a temple while worrying about their footwear being stolen outside.
సత్యము నా వద్ద చాలా ఉన్నది, చెప్పులు తేరా మగడా నిప్పుల్లో దూకుతాను
satyamu na vadda chala unnadi, cheppulu tera magada nippullo dukutanu
I have plenty of truth with me; bring my sandals, husband, and I shall jump into the fire.
This is a sarcastic or humorous proverb used to mock someone who makes grand, empty boasts about their integrity or courage but immediately sets conditions or excuses (like needing sandals to walk on fire) that defeat the purpose of the act. It highlights hypocrisy or fake bravado.
కార్తీక మాసానికి కుదురంత ఉందునా, మాఘ మాసానికి నా మహిమ చూపిస్తాను.
kartika masaniki kuduranta unduna, magha masaniki na mahima chupistanu.
Should I stay small like a pot-rest for Kartika month? I will show my glory by Magha month.
This proverb refers to the gradual increase of cold weather. In the month of Kartika, the cold is mild and manageable (like a small pot-rest), but by the month of Magha, it becomes intense and powerful. It is used to describe situations or conditions that start small but eventually grow to their full, formidable strength.
పత్రి దేవుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
patri devuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida
The leaves (offerings) are on the God, but the devotion is on the sandals.
This expression is used to describe a person who is physically performing a task or ritual but is mentally distracted by something else, often material or worldly concerns. It highlights hypocrisy or a lack of focus, similar to the English idea of 'going through the motions' while your mind is elsewhere.
చెప్పలు ఉన్నా చెప్పులు తెగినా చుట్టరికం తప్పదు
cheppalu unna cheppulu tegina chuttarikam tappadu
Whether you have wealth or your sandals are torn, kinship cannot be avoided.
This proverb highlights that family relationships and kinship obligations remain constant regardless of one's financial status. Whether a person is wealthy (symbolized by having possessions) or poor (symbolized by torn footwear), they must still maintain their social and familial ties.
చిత్తం శివుడి మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద
chittam shivudi mida, bhakti cheppula mida
Mind on Lord Shiva, but devotion on the sandals.
This proverb describes a person who pretends to be focused on something noble or spiritual while their mind is actually preoccupied with worldly or trivial distractions. It is used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of true concentration during a task or prayer.
ఉడతా భక్తి
udata bhakti
Squirrel's devotion
This expression is used to describe a small but sincere contribution to a much larger cause. It originates from the Ramayana, where a small squirrel helped Lord Rama build the bridge to Lanka by carrying tiny grains of sand. It is used when someone wants to humbly acknowledge that while their help might be minimal in the grand scheme of things, it is offered with great sincerity.