పిల్లల కోసం పెళ్ళాడాను గాని, కూడు పెట్టడం మా కులాన లేదు.

This proverb highlights that repetitive or redundant actions often lead to unnecessary exhaustion or wasted effort. It specifically suggests that doing something only to undo it immediately (like serving food and taking it back) results in losing the benefit or joy, and enduring pain for no productive outcome is futile. It is used to describe tasks that are laborious but yield no meaningful result.

This proverb is used to point out that fulfilling one's basic personal or familial responsibilities is not an act of charity or a service to society. It is used when someone brags about doing something they are naturally obligated to do.

This expression describes a person who is extremely stingy and deceptive. The first part refers to someone so miserly they wouldn't even share food with a cat. The second part refers to someone who uses unreliable or irrelevant witnesses (like a mouse for a human wedding) to validate their questionable claims or status.

This proverb is used to criticize hypocrites who try to solve other people's problems or lead society while failing to fulfill their basic responsibilities at home. It highlights the irony of someone seeking respect or power externally when they are incompetent or neglectful in their personal life.

This proverb is used to describe a person who lacks basic necessities or cannot afford essential items, yet wastes money or focuses excessively on luxuries, vanity, or superficial appearances. It highlights poor priorities or pretentiousness.

This expression suggests that a young woman's natural modesty or hesitation is a precursor to marriage and motherhood. It is often used to imply that shyness is a temporary stage or a virtue that eventually leads to the fulfillment of life's biological and social duties.

This proverb highlights the difference between verbal devotion and practical action. While it is easy to pray or speak words of devotion (chanting Govinda), it requires real effort, sacrifice, and resources to actually help or provide for someone in need (the pilgrim/Dasari). It is used to point out people who prefer making empty gestures over doing real service.

This expression refers to a state of complete indifference or lack of formal procedure. It is used to describe someone who doesn't follow any rules, doesn't start or finish tasks properly, or remains totally unbothered and detached regardless of the situation or guests arriving/leaving.

This proverb highlights the folly of prioritizing caste-based pride or prejudices over one's own survival and basic needs. It warns that while a person might sacrifice their livelihood (koodu) to uphold caste rigidity, the caste community as an entity will not provide for them when they are hungry. It is used to advise people to prioritize practical necessities and humanity over social divisions.

This expression is used to remind someone that life is a cycle of ups and downs. It suggests that comfort and joy are often temporary and serve as a preparation or a precursor to challenging times, encouraging emotional resilience and a balanced perspective on life's fluctuations.