శవానికి చేసిన అలంకారం

This proverb is used to express that doing a favor for someone who is inherently jealous or hostile (often referring to rival family members or 'palivaru') is a waste of effort. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because it cannot appreciate or return the gesture, helping an ungrateful or malicious rival will never result in gratitude or a positive outcome.

This proverb is used to criticize people who lack a sense of shame or remorse. When such individuals are confronted with their mistakes or wrongdoings, they often try to brush it off with a smile or a laugh instead of feeling embarrassed. It suggests that for those without integrity, a fake smile is their only way to mask their flaws.

This expression emphasizes that a person's character and beauty are judged by their speech and behavior rather than physical jewelry or clothing. It is used to remind someone that polite and truthful words carry more value than external appearances.

This proverb is used to mock someone's irrational fear or superstition that performing a simple, good, or harmless act will lead to a ridiculous physical deformity or negative consequence. It is often used to encourage someone to stop making excuses and just do what is necessary.

This expression refers to a situation where a lot of effort, money, or energy is spent on something that is already useless or dead. It describes a futile act or an event where there is no appreciation or benefit, as the recipient is unable to enjoy or respond to the efforts made.

This expression is used to highlight that ordinary greatness cannot be compared to divine or absolute righteousness. It implies that while a king acts based on power or politics, Rama's actions were governed by 'Dharma' (morality). It is used when comparing two things where one is clearly superior in quality or character.

This proverb highlights tasks that are futile and result in no appreciation or lasting benefit. Just as decorating a corpse is useless because the body is lifeless, working for a royal palace (or a fickle authority) often goes unrewarded and unrecognized, regardless of the effort put in. It is used to describe thankless jobs or wasted labor.

This proverb is used to point out a mismatch between a person's basic condition and their superficial embellishments. It suggests that it is futile or inappropriate to adorn something that is fundamentally dirty or neglected with expensive or beautiful things. It is often used when someone tries to show off with luxuries while lacking basic necessities or hygiene.

This expression refers to a wasted effort or a pointless celebration. Just as organizing a grand festival or carnival for a dead person is useless and provides no benefit to the subject, it describes actions taken or resources spent where they are completely unappreciated or ineffective.

A vain ceremony.

This proverb describes efforts or investments that yield no results or benefits. Just as staying awake (vigil) for a dead body serves no purpose and feeding a barren cow results in no milk, it is used to describe wasted labor or futile actions.