పొట్ట పైరుకు పుట్టెడు నీరు
potta pairuku puttedu niru
A basketful of water for a crop in its booting stage.
This proverb highlights a critical phase in agriculture. 'Potta' refers to the stage where the grain is forming inside the stalk (booting stage). During this specific time, the crop requires an abundant and timely supply of water to ensure a good yield. It is used to emphasize that providing the right resources at the most critical moment is essential for success.
Related Phrases
నీరు పల్లమెరుగు, నిజం దేవుడెరుగు (నీరు నిల్లవ వంకనే పారుతుంది)
niru pallamerugu, nijam devuderugu (niru nillava vankane parutundi)
Water runs towards water. Men haste to help those of their own caste, &c.
This proverb is used to describe things that naturally follow a specific path or instinct. Just as water naturally flows toward lower ground (slopes), certain events or human tendencies are inevitable. It is often used to imply that truth will eventually come out or that people naturally gravitate towards their own kind or interests.
పొట్టకు పుట్టెడు తిని అట్లకు ఆదివారము
pottaku puttedu tini atlaku adivaramu
Having eaten a bushel of food, [he begs] for cakes as it's Sunday.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely greedy or never satisfied. It refers to someone who eats a full, hearty meal yet still demands special delicacies like 'atlu' (pancakes) under the pretext of a holiday or tradition. It highlights insatiable hunger or unreasonable demands for more even after being well-provided for.
Sunday is a fast day among some sects. Great greediness.
వరిపొట్టకి పుట్టుడు నీరు.
varipottaki puttudu niru.
A 'puttudu' (huge quantity) of water for the rice-ear.
This proverb describes the critical stage of a paddy crop when the grain starts forming inside the sheath (the 'pregnancy' stage of the plant). During this specific phase, the crop requires an abundance of water to ensure a good yield. It is used to highlight that certain tasks or life stages require specific, heavy investment or care at the right moment to be successful.
పొట్టివానికి పుట్టెడు బుద్ధులు
pottivaniki puttedu buddhulu
A short person has a basketful of brains.
This proverb is used to suggest that what a person lacks in physical stature or height, they often make up for with extreme cleverness, wit, or cunningness. It implies that short people are exceptionally sharp-minded.
పొట్టి వాడికి పుట్టెడు బుద్ధులు
potti vadiki puttedu buddhulu
A short man has a Putti of wisdom.
This is a popular Telugu saying used to imply that short-statured people are exceptionally clever, cunning, or resourceful. The term 'Puttadu' refers to a large traditional measuring unit, suggesting that their intelligence is disproportionately large compared to their height.
పుణ్యం పుట్టెడు, పురుగులు తట్టెడు
punyam puttedu, purugulu tattedu
A basketful of merit, but a basketful of worms.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone performs a deed with the intention of gaining religious merit (punyam), but the act inadvertently causes harm or results in a mess. It is often applied when an attempt to do good backfires or when a seemingly pious person's actions are actually riddled with flaws.
పలుచని పైరు పాతరలు నింపు
paluchani pairu pataralu nimpu
A thin crop fills the granaries
This is an agricultural proverb implying that crops planted with proper spacing (thinly) yield better results than those planted too densely. It is used to convey that quality and proper management are more important than sheer quantity or overcrowding for a successful outcome.
కలుపు తీయకపోతే పైరుకు చేటు
kalupu tiyakapote pairuku chetu
If weeds are not removed, it is harmful to the crop
This proverb emphasizes the importance of timely intervention and maintenance. Just as weeds compete with crops for nutrients and sunlight, if we do not address negative influences or small problems early on, they will eventually destroy our growth or hard work. It is used to suggest that one should eliminate bad habits or distractions to succeed.
కొత్త నీరు వచ్చి పాత నీరు కొట్టుకుపోయినట్లు
kotta niru vachchi pata niru kottukupoyinatlu
The new water came and washed away the old water. A little gain once was the cause of all being lost eventually.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where new people, ideas, or trends replace old ones completely. It is often used when a newcomer takes over the position or influence of someone who has been there for a long time, or when modern methods render traditional ones obsolete.
పుణ్యము పుట్టెడు, పురుగులు తట్టెడు
punyamu puttedu, purugulu tattedu
A bushelful of good works, and a dishful of worms. A great show of piety, but the prospect of future punishment for evil deeds.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a supposedly good deed or religious act, but the unintended negative consequences, sins, or flaws associated with it far outweigh the benefits. It highlights hypocrisy or the futility of an action that brings more harm than good.