పెద్దల ఉసురు పెనుబామై తగులును
peddala usuru penubamai tagulunu
The sighs of elders will strike like a giant serpent.
This proverb warns that the grief or pain caused to elders or wise people (referred to as 'usuru') will result in severe consequences or curses that haunt the offender like a massive snake. It is used to emphasize the importance of respecting and caring for elders.
Related Phrases
ఉత్తరలో చల్లితే ఊల తగులును
uttaralo challite ula tagulunu
If sown during the Uttara Nakshatra, it will be affected by smut/pests.
This is a traditional agricultural proverb related to the lunar mansion (Nakshatra) calendar. It warns farmers that sowing seeds during the Uttara period often leads to crop diseases like grain smut (Ula), suggesting that the timing is unfavorable for a healthy harvest.
పెద్దల మాట చద్ది మూట
peddala mata chaddi muta
The words of elders are like a bundle of curd rice.
This proverb (often cited as 'Peddala mata saddi moota') means that the advice given by elders may seem cold or unappealing at first, just like curd rice packed for a journey, but it proves to be nourishing and beneficial in the long run. It emphasizes that following the wisdom of experienced people leads to safety and success.
దేవుడి పెండ్లికి అందరూ పెద్దలే.
devudi pendliki andaru peddale.
At the marriage ceremony of a god all are rulers. Where there is no head, every one does what he likes.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no clear leader or hierarchy, and everyone acts as if they are in charge or equal in authority. It is often applied to social gatherings or collaborative tasks where everyone gives orders but no one follows them, or where no specific person is assigned the responsibility of a host.
దేవుడు పెండ్లికి అందరూ పెద్దలే.
devudu pendliki andaru peddale.
At God's wedding, everyone is an elder/leader.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where there is no clear authority, hierarchy, or organization because everyone involved considers themselves to be in charge. It is often applied to chaotic events where everyone is giving orders but no one is following them.
చిత్త కార్తె ఎండకు పిట్టల తల పగులును
chitta karte endaku pittala tala pagulunu
In the Chitta solar mansion heat, even the heads of birds will shatter.
This is a popular Telugu saying referring to the Chitta Karthe (a specific period in the traditional solar calendar). It describes the extreme intensity of the heat during this period, suggesting it is so fierce that it can crack a bird's skull. It is used to caution people about severe weather conditions.
ఊళ్ళోవాళ్ళ ఉసురుబోసుకుని నూరేండ్లు బ్రతకమన్నట్లు
ullovalla usurubosukuni nurendlu bratakamannatlu
Like saying, take the sighs (curse) of the villagers and live for a hundred years.
This sarcastic expression is used when someone acts selfishly or unjustly at the expense of others. It implies that a life built on the suffering or curses of others is a dubious blessing, often used to mock someone who is gaining wealth or power by harming their community.
భరణిలో బండలు పగులును, రోహిణిలో రోళ్ళు పగులును
bharanilo bandalu pagulunu, rohinilo rollu pagulunu
In Bharani rocks break, in Rohini mortars break.
This is an agricultural proverb referring to the intensity of heat during specific lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It means that during the Bharani period, the sun's heat is strong enough to crack rocks, and during Rohini (Karthe), the heat reaches its peak, intense enough to crack even heavy stone mortars. It is used to describe the peak of summer.
వెట్టివాని చేతిరాయి తగిలెనా తగులును, తప్పినా తప్పను
vettivani chetirayi tagilena tagulunu, tappina tappanu
A stone thrown by an unskilled laborer might hit the target or it might miss it entirely.
This proverb is used to describe actions or outcomes that are completely dependent on luck or chance rather than skill or planning. It implies that when someone incompetent or careless does something, there is no guarantee of the result; it is purely accidental if it works out.
పెద్దల వుసురు పెనుబామై తాకును
peddala vusuru penubamai takunu
The sorrow [ you have caused ] to the pious will come upon you again like a great serpent. " His mischief shall return upon his own head." Psalm vii. 16.
This proverb warns that the grief, pain, or silent tears of elders (caused by ill-treatment or disrespect) will eventually result in severe consequences or misfortune for those responsible. It emphasizes the moral weight of respecting one's elders.
* A mengua de pan, buenas son tortas.
నారతడప అని పారవేస్తే, నాగుబామై కరిచిందట
naratadapa ani paraveste, nagubamai karichindata
When thrown away thinking it was a piece of fibrous bark, it turned out to be a cobra and bit.
This expression is used to describe a situation where something or someone was dismissed as harmless, insignificant, or weak, but turned out to be dangerous or caused unexpected harm. It highlights the consequences of underestimating a threat or misjudging a situation based on superficial appearances.