శంఖులో పోస్తే తీర్థము, పెంకులో పోస్తే నీళ్లు.

shankhulo poste tirthamu, penkulo poste nillu.

Translation

If you pour it into the conch shell it is holy water, if you pour it into a potsherd it is common water.

Meaning

This proverb emphasizes that the value or respect given to something (or someone) often depends on the vessel, context, or association it holds. It is used to describe how a person's status or a thing's importance changes based on the environment or the company they keep.

Notes

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Related Phrases

If poured in a conch it is holy water, if poured in a shard it is just water

This proverb emphasizes that the value or respect given to something (or someone) often depends on the vessel, context, or association it has. It is used to describe how a person's status or the importance of a message changes based on the platform or the company they keep.

Can your house be burnt down with hot water?

This proverb is used to imply that small or insignificant actions cannot cause major damage, or that mild threats/anger cannot destroy strong foundations. It suggests that just because water is hot, it doesn't possess the destructive power of fire.

Applied to lenient or ineffective measures.

Contaminated water becomes sacred water once it joins a river.

This proverb suggests that even someone with a bad reputation or poor character can find redemption, purification, or respect when they associate themselves with something great, noble, or divine. It highlights the power of association and the ability of a larger, purer entity to cleanse the flaws of a smaller one.

The water is not holy, unless it be poured into the shell.

This proverb signifies that certain actions or words gain value, legitimacy, or recognition only when they come from an authoritative source or a person of high stature. It is often used to describe situations where a valid point is ignored until an important person validates it.

If poured in a conch, it is holy water; if poured in a shard, it is just water

This expression highlights how the value or respect given to something (or someone) often depends on the vessel or context it is associated with. It is used to describe how the status of an individual is elevated by their association with noble people or institutions, or how the same advice carries different weight depending on who delivers it.

If you pour a mana in the soil, they will pour an idumu in the house.

This proverb highlights the abundance of nature and the rewards of hard work in farming. A 'mana' and 'idumu' are traditional measures of volume, with an idumu being significantly larger. It means that if a farmer sows even a small measure of seeds into the earth, nature returns a much larger harvest into their home. It is used to encourage investment and labor.

When a donkey was bathed with sacred Bhogi water, it went and rolled in the ashes.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone is given a great opportunity, luxury, or reform, but they return to their old, crude, or bad habits. It highlights that inherent nature (Pravrutti) is difficult to change regardless of the honors bestowed upon them.

It does not become holy water unless it is poured through a conch shell.

This expression is used to signify that certain actions or words gain value, legitimacy, or official status only when they come from an authoritative source or a person of high stature. Just as ordinary water is considered 'Teertham' (sacred) only after being sanctified through a conch, an idea or task is often only respected when endorsed by the right person.

Learning to apply the sacred mark is like completing all the holy pilgrimages.

This proverb suggests that mastering a fundamental skill or the core discipline of a task is equivalent to achieving the end result. In a satirical sense, it can also refer to people who focus heavily on outward appearances or rituals, implying that once the 'show' is mastered, they feel they have achieved everything.

Like a holy pilgrimage and a personal interest coming together.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where one trip or action serves two purposes: a spiritual or selfless duty and a personal or selfish gain. It is similar to the English expression 'killing two birds with one stone,' but specifically refers to achieving a personal benefit while performing a righteous or necessary task.