సముద్రపు అల నిలిచేదెప్పుడు, స్నానము చేసేదెప్పుడు?

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is searching frantically for something that is already in their possession or right in front of them. It highlights absent-mindedness or overlooking the obvious.

This phrase refers to the traditional period of ritual impurity observed by a family after a child is born. In a broader philosophical context, it is often paired with 'Chachinappudu sutakam' (ritual impurity at death) to signify that life is bookended by ceremonies and certain constraints, or to imply that every beginning has its own set of initial challenges or obligations.

This expression warns against acting upon rumors or gossip without verification. It suggests that paying heed to malicious talk or the instigations of others will ultimately lead to one's own downfall or harm.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone keeps making excuses or waiting for 'perfect' conditions that will never occur. Just as the waves in the ocean never stop, certain life challenges or obstacles are constant; if you wait for them to disappear completely before acting, you will never get anything done.

This proverb describes a chain reaction of financial or situational ruin. It illustrates how a delay or a specific failure can affect multiple people in a sequence. In the context of the folk story it originates from, a delay in a wedding or a meal caused the salt and lentils (perishables/goods) to go to waste, but the betel leaf seller suffered the most because those leaves wilt the fastest. It is used to describe situations where one person's misfortune or mistake leads to the downfall of everyone associated with the task.

This proverb warns against the dangers of over-indulgence and vanity. It suggests that excessive affection/pampering can ruin a child's character or reputation, just as trying to walk too gracefully or pridefully can lead to an unnatural or awkward gait. It is used to advise moderation in upbringing and behavior.

This proverb is used to describe situations where a lack of unity or a delay in decision-making leads to the downfall of everyone involved. It specifically refers to how salt spoils lentils when mixed too early, but betel leaves, being highly perishable, ruin the fastest and most completely. It serves as a warning against indecision and the compounding nature of losses in a group.

This proverb describes a state of constant insecurity or precariousness. Just as a tree on a river bank is at constant risk of being uprooted by erosion or floods, it refers to a person or a situation that lacks stability and is always under threat of downfall.

Said of a man in an insecure position.

This proverb warns against the dangers of over-indulgence and lack of discipline. It suggests that when a child or a person is overly coddled (muddu), they may lose their reputation, and when they are too pampered (muripamu), their behavior and character (nadupu) will deteriorate. It is used to emphasize the importance of moderation in affection and the need for discipline in upbringing.

This expression is used to describe someone who waits for the perfect, trouble-free moment to start a task, which never actually comes. It highlights the futility of waiting for all problems to disappear before taking action, as challenges are a natural part of any process, just as waves are inherent to the sea.