పురాణంలోని వంకాయలు పులుసులోకి రావు
puranamloni vankayalu pulusuloki ravu
The brinjals mentioned in the Puranas do not make it into the stew.
This proverb is used to point out that theoretical knowledge or high-sounding sermons are useless if they are not applied in practice. It highlights the difference between preaching and practicing, or between abstract ideas and practical reality.
Related Phrases
పుచ్చిన వంకాయలు బాపనయ్యలకు
puchchina vankayalu bapanayyalaku
The rotten brinjals to the Brahmans.
This proverb is used to describe a stingy or hypocritical attitude where people donate or give away only useless, damaged, or spoiled items to others (traditionally referring to priests in this context) while keeping the good ones for themselves. It highlights the tendency to offer charity only when the item is of no value to the giver.
వంకాయ కూరకు టెంకాయ మసాలా
vankaya kuraku tenkaya masala
Coconut spice/masala for brinjal curry
This expression refers to a perfect combination or an ideal match. Just as coconut masala enhances the taste of brinjal curry, it is used to describe two things or people that complement each other perfectly to produce a great result.
చింతకాయలు బేరంచేస్తూ, వంకరటింకర కాయలేమి అన్నట్లు
chintakayalu beranchestu, vankaratinkara kayalemi annatlu
While bargaining for tamarinds, asking why they are crooked.
This proverb is used to describe someone who finds fault in the natural or inherent characteristics of an object or situation just to get a lower price or to criticize for the sake of it. Since tamarinds are naturally crooked, complaining about their shape while trying to buy them is illogical and hypocritical.
బలుసు పండితే గొలుసుల్లా కంకులు
balusu pandite golusulla kankulu
If the Balusu plant ripens, the ears of grain will be like chains.
This is an agricultural proverb used to describe a bountiful harvest. It suggests that when the wild Balusu plant thrives and ripens well, it serves as a natural indicator that the grain crops (like millet or paddy) will also be extremely productive, with ears of grain hanging thick and long like heavy chains.
పది వేస్తే పచ్చిపులుసు, లేకపోతే పాడుపులుసు
padi veste pachchipulusu, lekapote padupulusu
If ten are added, it is raw tamarind soup; otherwise, it is spoiled soup.
This expression is used to highlight that a task or project can only be successful if the necessary resources, efforts, or people are involved. Without the essential ingredients or support, the result is worthless or a failure. It emphasizes the importance of adequacy and contribution.
చింతకాయలు అమ్మేదానికి సిరిమానం వస్తే, ఆ వంకరటింకరవి ఏమి కాయలు అన్నదట
chintakayalu ammedaniki sirimanam vaste, a vankaratinkaravi emi kayalu annadata
When a woman who sells tamarind gets prosperity, she asks what those crooked fruits are.
This proverb is used to describe a person who, upon achieving sudden wealth or a higher status, pretends to be unfamiliar with their humble origins or the very things that once formed their livelihood. It highlights hypocrisy, false pride, and the tendency to look down upon one's past.
మనసులోని వెతకు మందులేదు
manasuloni vetaku manduledu
There is no medicine for the pain in the heart
This expression refers to emotional or mental suffering that cannot be cured by physical medication. It is used to describe deep sorrow, psychological distress, or the pain of a broken heart which requires time, change, or emotional healing rather than a physician's prescription.
వంకాయ వంటి కూరలేదు, శంకరుని వంటి దైవము లేదు
vankaya vanti kuraledu, shankaruni vanti daivamu ledu
There is no vegetable like the eggplant, and there is no God like Lord Shiva.
This is a popular Telugu saying used to emphasize the excellence or superiority of something. Just as the eggplant (Brinjal) is considered the 'king of vegetables' for its versatility and taste in Telugu cuisine, Lord Shiva is regarded as the supreme deity. It is used to highlight that certain things are incomparable in their respective categories.
హస్తలో చల్లితే, హస్తంలోకి రావు.
hastalo challite, hastamloki ravu.
If sown during the Hasta star period, it will not come back to the hand.
This is an agricultural proverb (sameta) referring to the 'Hasta Karthe' (a specific solar mansion in the Hindu calendar). It suggests that crops sown during this specific time period often fail or yield poor results, meaning the investment never returns to the farmer's hand. It is used to highlight the importance of timing and seasonal wisdom.
అద్దంలోని ముడుపు అందిరాదు
addamloni mudupu andiradu
The offering seen in the mirror cannot be reached.
This proverb is used to describe things that look attractive or attainable but are actually illusory or impossible to reach. It signifies that some things can only be seen or imagined but never truly possessed, much like a reflection in a mirror.