పత్రి దేవుని మీద, భక్తి చెప్పుల మీద

patri devuni mida, bhakti cheppula mida

Translation

The leaves (offerings) are on the God, but the devotion is on the sandals.

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

His desire is on his wife and his support on his mat. Nothing for it but resignation.

This proverb describes a person who has grand desires or high aspirations but lacks the basic resources or means to fulfill them. It specifically refers to someone who wants to lead a family life or have comforts while living in extreme poverty, where they don't even have a proper bed, only a simple mat.

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.

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.

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.

His name is in the palankin, and his legs on the ground. i. e. he once rode, but now walks.

This proverb refers to a situation where someone has a high reputation or social status (palanquin), but their actual living conditions or current situation remain humble or poor (foot on the ground). It is used to describe people who possess a famous name but lack the wealth or facilities to match that status.

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.

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.

The rain's pride is on the alkaline soil, the laborer's pride is on the village mound, the husband's pride is over his wife.

This proverb describes where certain entities show off their power or influence. Just as rain is most noticeable on barren alkaline soil and a laborer takes pride in their specific dwelling area, a person often displays their dominance or arrogance where they have easy authority, such as a husband over his wife in a traditional domestic context. It is used to mock those who show strength only over the vulnerable or in limited domains.

The mind is on the sandals, while the meditation is on God.

This proverb describes a person who lacks focus or sincerity. It is used to mock someone who pretends to be deeply involved in a spiritual or serious task while their thoughts are actually preoccupied with trivial, worldly, or selfish concerns. It refers to the habit of people worrying about their footwear being stolen outside a temple while they are supposed to be praying inside.

Mind on Lord Shiva, but devotion toward Lord Vishnu.

This proverb describes a person who lacks focus or sincerity, acting with a divided mind. It is used to point out hypocrisy or a lack of concentration where someone pretends to do one thing while their heart and thoughts are actually somewhere else entirely.