రామాయణం రంకు, భారతం బొంకు

This expression is used to describe something that lacks its most essential or core element. Just as dry ginger is the vital ingredient in a medicinal decoction and Lord Rama is the central figure of the epic Ramayana, a project or situation feels incomplete or pointless without its fundamental component or key leader.

This proverb describes how one bad habit or vice often leads to another. Specifically, it implies that to hide a significant misdeed, one must inevitably resort to lying. It is used to suggest that moral failings or deceptive behaviors usually go hand in hand.

This expression is used to describe an excessively long, tedious, and never-ending explanation or story. It refers to someone who stretches a simple point into a confusing and unnecessarily detailed narrative, much like calling a small winnowing basket (cheta) or a small fence (kampa) as grand epics like Mahabharata or Ramayana.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is talking or acting in a completely irrelevant, incoherent, or absurd manner. It highlights the lack of connection between the subject matter (the epic Ramayana) and the trivial or inappropriate actions being described, mocking a person's lack of focus or logic.

This proverb suggests that people often use pretenses to protect their interests. A wealthy person might fake a cough or illness to avoid fulfilling a social obligation or giving money, just as a fake ascetic might wear saffron robes (kaashaayam) to deceive others. It is used to describe deceptive behavior used to hide the truth or avoid responsibility.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person tries to cover up a mistake or a wrongdoing with a lie. If the lie is believed, they get away with it (it remains just a 'lie'); if the lie fails and they are caught, the act is exposed as something much more scandalous or serious. It highlights how people manipulate truths to suit their convenience until they are caught.

This proverb emphasizes that a life built on immorality (infidelity) and dishonesty (falsehood) will never lead to a peaceful or successful conclusion. It is used to warn that character and integrity are essential for a stable life, and shortcuts through deceit or unethical behavior will eventually lead to ruin.

This proverb is used to highlight that greatness and knowledge are not the birthright of any specific caste or social status. Valmiki (who wrote the Ramayana) was from the Boya community, and Vyasa (who wrote the Mahabharata) was the son of a fisherwoman. It serves as an example of social equality in spiritual and intellectual achievement.

This proverb highlights that the flaws or misdeeds of influential, wealthy, or high-status individuals are often hidden from public view or suppressed by their reputation. It is used to describe how power and status can mask hypocrisy and dishonesty.

This is a paradoxical or cynical saying used to highlight how critics or those with a narrow perspective can misinterpret the core themes of the great epics. It refers to how someone who doesn't understand the spiritual context might only see the abduction of Sita (Ramayana), the harsh violence/politics (Mahabharata), or the supernatural miracles (Bhagavatam) as negative traits.