పుణ్యము పుట్టెడు, పురుగులు తట్టెడు

punyamu puttedu, purugulu tattedu

Translation

A bushelful of good works, and a dishful of worms. A great show of piety, but the prospect of future punishment for evil deeds.

Meaning

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.

Related Phrases

A measure in Magha, a basketful in Pubba.

This is an agricultural proverb related to rainfall during specific lunar mansions (Nakshatras). It means that even a small amount of rain during the 'Magha' season is valuable, but heavy rain during the 'Pubba' season is extremely beneficial and results in a bountiful harvest.

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.

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.

If it is a measure in the field, it is a heap at home.

This proverb highlights the importance of hard work and investment at the source. It implies that a small, diligent effort or investment during the cultivation/working phase leads to a manifold increase in results and prosperity at home. It is used to encourage people to be generous or hardworking in their primary endeavors to reap greater rewards later.

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.

Glitter on the outside, worms on the inside

This proverb is used to describe something or someone that looks attractive, polished, or perfect on the outside but is actually rotten, corrupt, or empty on the inside. It is equivalent to the English expression 'All that glitters is not gold' and is often used to warn against judging by outward appearances.

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.

A husband according to the worship [ of the wife ], a son according to the good works [ of the father ].

This proverb suggests that the quality of one's life partners and children is a result of one's past deeds, character, and spiritual merit. It is used to imply that the rewards or the caliber of people in one's life are proportionate to the effort and virtue one has cultivated.

A measure of merit, but a basketful of worms.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone performs a small good deed or gains a little spiritual merit, but in the process, commits many sins or causes significant harm. It highlights hypocrisy or the irony of small virtues being overshadowed by large vices.

A measure in the mud, a heap in the house.

This is a traditional agricultural saying referring to the high yield of crops. It means that even a small amount of seed sown in the soil (mud) can result in a massive harvest stored at home. It is used to describe investments or efforts that yield exponentially great results.