పయోముఖ విషకుంభము

payomukha vishakumbhamu

Translation

A pot of poison with milk on the surface

Meaning

This expression is used to describe a hypocritical person who appears sweet, kind, or friendly on the outside but harbors malice or evil intentions within. It is often used as a warning to be cautious of people who use flattering words to hide their true harmful nature.

Related Phrases

A pot in the sky, and Monday within a Sunday.

This expression is used to describe something that is impossible, nonsensical, or a complete fabrication. It refers to situations where someone tells a lie or presents a scenario that defies logic, much like finding a physical pot in the vacuum of space or a Monday occurring inside a Sunday.

Even if she is Rambha, there is no pleasure in holding her own breasts with her own hands.

This expression signifies that self-indulgence or self-praise lacks the fulfillment or validation that comes from others. It is used to convey that certain experiences or appreciations require a second party to be meaningful, emphasizing that one cannot derive true satisfaction solely from oneself in certain contexts.

The sleep of Kumbhakarna

Refers to a state of deep, long, or heavy sleep from which a person is very difficult to wake up. It originates from the Ramayana character Kumbhakarna, who was known for sleeping for six months at a time. It is used to describe someone who sleeps excessively or is extremely lazy.

"If Chitta is kind, if Svāti shows favor, and if Visākha does not blow too much, I will produce a Puṭṭi [ of corn ] to a Visam [ of land ]" said [ the field ]. Chitta and Svāti are the 14th and 15th lunar mansions, in which rain is expected. Visākha is the 16th lunar mansion in which high winds are common.—Puṭṭi is a corn measure of 500lbs. Visam is the fraction 1/16 —here the 16th part of a Guntā, a land measure equal to 3/16 of an acre. Calm weather in June sets corn in tune. A shower in July, when the corn begins to fill, Is worth a plough of oxen, and all belongs there till. Dry August and warm doth harvest no harm.

This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansions (Karthulu). It means that if there is good rainfall during the Chitta and Swati periods, and if the Vishakha winds are not destructive, the harvest will be so bountiful that even a tiny piece of land (Veesam) will yield a huge quantity (Putti) of grain.

Poison is the antidote for poison.

This expression is used to suggest that a problem or an evil force can only be neutralized or countered by something of its own nature or intensity. It is similar to the English proverb 'Fight fire with fire' or 'Like cures like.'

Moola (star) will drown, and Vishakha (star) will blow away.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the monsoon. It means that if it rains during the Moola Nakshatram (Moola constellation period), it results in heavy flooding (drowning), whereas rains during Vishakha Nakshatram are accompanied by strong, destructive winds (blowing away/scattering).

Full pot

A 'Purnakumbham' is a traditional Indian vessel (usually copper or brass) filled with water and topped with mango leaves and a coconut. It symbolizes abundance, prosperity, and spiritual perfection. In Telugu culture, it is used to formally welcome honored guests, deities, or during auspicious ceremonies like housewarmings and weddings as a sign of respect and good fortune.

If it rains during the Vishakha Karthe, it is like giving poison.

This is an agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansion (Karthe) system. It suggests that rainfall during the Vishakha period (usually occurring in November) is detrimental to crops that are ready for harvest, effectively acting like poison and destroying the yield.

Scam or Fraud

While literally referring to a famous temple town in Tamil Nadu, in common Telugu parlance, this term is used to describe a large-scale financial scandal, conspiracy, or fraudulent scheme involving high-stakes deception.

A tiger with a cow's face

This expression is used to describe a hypocrite or a 'wolf in sheep's clothing'. It refers to a person who appears gentle, innocent, and harmless like a cow on the outside, but is actually cruel, dangerous, or predatory like a tiger on the inside.