పట్టినది చింత కొమ్మ గాని ములగ కొమ్మ కాదు

pattinadi chinta komma gani mulaga komma kadu

Translation

What I am clinging to is a Tamarind bough, not a Mulaga. The tamarind wood is pliable, but the Mulaga ( Hyperanthera Moringa ) is brittle. Said by a parasite of his staunch protector.

Meaning

This expression is used to describe someone who is firm, reliable, and strong. A tamarind branch is known for its extreme flexibility and strength (it doesn't break easily), whereas a drumstick branch is very brittle and snaps quickly. It is used to compliment someone's resilience or to indicate that a task or person is more formidable than they appear.

Related Phrases

Treating it as a new fascination, Oh Washerman! Beat it white.

This proverb is used to describe how people show extreme enthusiasm or care for something new, often overdoing it in the beginning. It refers to a laundryman who, out of excitement for a new piece of cloth, scrubs it excessively to make it perfectly white, potentially wearing it out quickly. It highlights the temporary and excessive nature of initial excitement.

The old bough will not bend.

This proverb is similar to 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' It suggests that habits, character, or learning are easy to shape during youth, but once someone becomes set in their ways or reaches old age, they are resistant to change or discipline.

It is not easy to straighten in the oak the crook that grew in the sapling. (Geet.)

No shade to stand under, or branch to clutch. Helpless and forlorn.

This expression is used to describe a person who is completely destitute, homeless, or lacking any form of support system. It signifies a state of total helplessness where someone has no place to stay and no one to rely on for help.

When the fowl flew, it only mounted a branch.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone moves from a low or humble position to a slightly higher one and behaves with excessive pride, or when a person reaches a level that is just barely above their previous status but acts as if they have achieved something monumental. It highlights the triviality of the achievement compared to the arrogance displayed.

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When someone said, "It's new, oh branch," the response was, "Let it soak, then we shall break it by kicking."

This proverb describes people who show excessive or reckless enthusiasm toward new things or situations, often to the point of being destructive. It is used to mock someone who wants to over-exploit a resource just because it is fresh or new, rather than being careful or patient.

Whatever one touches becomes gold

This expression is used to describe a person who is currently experiencing a period of extreme good luck or success. Every venture they undertake or every decision they make leads to a positive outcome, similar to the legend of King Midas.

Like lifting half a branch perfectly.

This expression is used to describe a person who claims to have done a great job or performed a difficult task, while in reality, they have only done a partial or mediocre job. It highlights pretense and the act of making a small effort look like a significant achievement.

If a stone rubs against a stone, sparks appear; if a branch rubs against a branch, fire breaks out.

This proverb is used to describe how small disagreements or interactions between people can escalate into significant conflicts or major transformations. It highlights the principle of friction leading to energy, often applied in the context of human relationships or collective action.

What was grabbed is a tamarind branch, not a drumstick (moringa) branch.

This proverb is used to describe someone who is stubborn or persistent in their stance. Tamarind branches are strong and flexible, making them hard to break, whereas drumstick branches are brittle and break easily. It implies that the person has taken a firm hold of a situation or opinion and will not let go or be easily defeated.

An old branch will not bend, an old branch will not bear fruit.

This proverb emphasizes that it is difficult to change one's habits, learn new skills, or be productive in a specific way once they have reached a certain age or stage in life. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' It suggests that discipline and learning should happen while one is young and flexible.