పొల్లు దంచిన బియ్యము, తెల్లని కాకి లేవు
pollu danchina biyyamu, tellani kaki levu
There is no rice from pounding chaff, and there is no such thing as a white crow.
This proverb is used to describe things that are impossible or non-existent. Just as you cannot get rice by pounding empty husks (chaff) and you cannot find a naturally white crow, certain expectations or results are simply unattainable or contrary to nature.
Related Phrases
అల్లుడి మంచితనం పొల్లున దంచిన బియ్యం లేవు
alludi manchitanam polluna danchina biyyam levu
The goodness of a son-in-law is like pounding chaff; there is no rice to be found.
This proverb is used to suggest that relying on or over-praising certain people is futile. Just as pounding husks (chaff) yields no grain, expecting significant help or substance from certain individuals (traditionally used in a sarcastic context regarding a son-in-law's utility in a household) is a waste of effort. It represents a situation with no practical benefit or result.
అల్లుని మంచితనము, పొల్లున దంచిన బియ్యములేవు
alluni manchitanamu, polluna danchina biyyamulevu
The goodness of a son-in-law and rice from pounding husks do not exist.
This proverb is used to express that certain expectations are futile. Just as one cannot obtain rice by pounding empty husks, one should not expect a son-in-law to be entirely selfless or a permanent asset to the household, as he traditionally belongs to another family. It highlights the inherent limitations or disappointment in relying on something that lacks substance.
బంగారు పొల్లు ఉంటుంది కానీ మనిషి పొల్లు ఉండదు
bangaru pollu untundi kani manishi pollu undadu
There is dross in gold, but there is no defect in man.
This expression is used to highlight the inherent value and dignity of a human being. It suggests that while even a precious metal like gold might contain impurities or waste (pollu), a person's life and character should be regarded as invaluable and without waste. It is often used to emphasize human worth over material wealth.
పొట్టకరుకులు తిన్న వారికి వూచ బియ్యాలు లేవు.
pottakarukulu tinna variki vucha biyyalu levu.
There is no young corn for those who eat the ears.
This proverb serves as a metaphor for lack of foresight and planning. It refers to people who consume resources prematurely (eating the grains while they are still growing in the stalk) and then face scarcity when it is time for the actual harvest. It is used to describe individuals who spend their savings or resources impulsively and suffer in the long run.
బియ్యం దంచినమ్మకు బొక్కిందే కూలి
biyyam danchinammaku bokkinde kuli
For the woman who pounded the rice, the grain she ate while doing it is her only wage.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone works hard but receives no formal pay or reward, other than a few minor perks or what they consumed while performing the task. It signifies a lack of proper compensation for labor.
పొల్లు దంచి బియ్యము చేసినట్టు.
pollu danchi biyyamu chesinattu.
Like trying to get rice by pounding empty husk.
This proverb describes a futile or useless effort. Just as pounding empty grain husks (chaff) will never yield rice regardless of how much labor is put in, this expression is used when someone is wasting time on a task that has no possibility of a productive outcome.
తెల్లబియ్యము, పాటి మానిక.
tellabiyyamu, pati manika.
White rice, but measured with a flawed mānika (a local unit of measurement).
This proverb describes a situation where something appears to be of high quality or value (like fine white rice), but is undermined by a fundamental flaw or deception in the process (like using a broken or unfair measuring cup). It is used to highlight instances where a benefit is neutralized by an accompanying disadvantage or hidden dishonesty.
ఎవరేలితే నేమి వడ్లు దంచక బియ్యం రావు
evarelite nemi vadlu danchaka biyyam ravu
No matter who rules, rice won't come without pounding the paddy.
This proverb signifies that regardless of who is in power or what changes occur at the top level, an individual must still work hard to earn their livelihood. It is used to express that systemic changes do not exempt one from their daily labor and responsibilities.
కుంచెడు బియ్యము గుమ్మడి కాయ
kunchedu biyyamu gummadi kaya
A Kunçam of raw-rice and a gourd. A modest request. A thousand Brahmins went on an auspicious occasion to bless the king and on being asked how much rice and vegetable they would each have for their meal, replied as above. The king angry and disgusted at their greediness ordered that each should be forced, with the penalty of his life, to eat the whole quantity demanded. The Brahmins however cheated the king at the suggestion of a cunning Kômaṭi, by distributing one Kunçam of rice and one pumpkin at a time among the whole number of men.
This expression is used to describe an uneven or disproportionate exchange, or a situation where a lot of resources are consumed for a single item. In a traditional sense, it refers to the heavy requirement of rice needed to accompany a large pumpkin curry, signifying that one thing necessitates a large amount of another to be useful.
బియ్యం దంచినదానికి బొక్కిందే దక్కుట.
biyyam danchinadaniki bokkinde dakkuta.
For the one who pounded the rice, only what was gobbled up remains.
This proverb refers to a situation where a person works extremely hard on a task but receives no final reward or profit for their efforts, other than the small, immediate snacks or 'crumbs' they managed to consume during the process. It is used to describe thankless jobs or labor where the primary benefit goes to someone else while the worker gets nothing significant.