పూటకూళ్లమ్మకు పాత్ర ఎంగిలి లేదు

This expression refers to someone who is extremely stingy or miserly. It describes a person who does not even eat properly (to avoid spending) nor do they ever offer a single morsel of food to others. It is used to criticize someone's lack of charity and their extreme parsimony.

In traditional social contexts, 'engili' (saliva contact) is often considered impure. This proverb highlights specific exceptions where the rules of ritual pollution are ignored or deemed inapplicable—specifically for a smoking pipe/cigar and the intimacy between a husband and wife. It is used to justify certain behaviors or to point out that some things remain unaffected by common taboos.

This proverb is used to describe things or people who lack certain inherent qualities or standards. Just as a coward (panja) can never truly possess courage, a toddy pot (used in drinking dens) is considered beyond the rules of formal cleanliness or 'engili' because of its nature and environment. It implies that some things are fundamentally inconsistent with certain virtues or social norms.

This proverb implies that when a person is in dire need or desperate straits, they cannot afford to be picky or concern themselves with minor flaws or social taboos. Necessity overrides luxury and fastidiousness.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only a temporary guest or has a limited, immediate interest in something, and therefore should not worry about long-term or large-scale complexities that do not affect them. It is often a retort to someone who is interfering in matters beyond their scope or stay.

This proverb refers to a person who is strictly business-minded and focuses only on profit without showing any generosity or performing deeds for spiritual merit. It is used to describe someone who treats every interaction as a commercial transaction and never offers anything for free or out of kindness.

This expression describes a situation where despite immense hard work and physical labor, one's rewards or results remain meager and insufficient for a decent living. It is used to highlight poverty, lack of growth, or exploitation in a workplace.

This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely generous or charitable. It implies that as soon as they have something, they give it away to others without hesitation, leaving nothing 'soiled' or 'lingering' for themselves.

This proverb is used to highlight that certain urgent or sacred duties transcend the usual social rules of ritual purity or contamination. It implies that in extreme circumstances or during specific high-priority tasks, one should not be overly pedantic about minor rules of hygiene or traditional taboos.

This expression is used to suggest that pursuit of knowledge, higher duties, or sacred work transcends minor ritualistic or physical impurities. In a broader sense, it implies that when one is performing a great or necessary task, small flaws or trivial rules can be overlooked for the sake of the larger good.