శెట్టి శేరు, లింగం అరవీశెడు.
shetti sheru, lingam aravishedu.
The Šeṭṭi [weighs ] a seer and his lingam two and a half.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where an accessory or a secondary element becomes larger, more expensive, or more burdensome than the main object itself. It highlights ironical imbalances, similar to the English expression 'the tail wagging the dog.'
Related Phrases
శేరుకు సవాశేరు
sheruku savasheru
For one seer a seer and a quarter. A greater ruffian than another. To a rogue a rogue and a half. (French.)
This expression is used to describe a situation where one person meets their match or encounters someone even more capable, clever, or aggressive than themselves. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'Diamond cuts diamond' or 'To meet one's match.'
సోమలింగం సోమలింగం అంటే రామలింగం కొడుకా అన్నాట్ట
somalingam somalingam ante ramalingam koduka annatta
When someone said 'Somalingam, Somalingam', he asked, 'Is he Ramalingam's son?'
This proverb is used to describe a person who is completely out of touch with the context or topic of conversation. It signifies a person who asks an irrelevant or foolish question after listening to a whole explanation, showing they haven't understood a single word.
అయ్య సవాసేరు, లింగం అరవీశెడు
ayya savaseru, lingam aravishedu
The master is a quarter-and-a-seer, while the Lingam is half-a-visha.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a subordinate, accessory, or appendage exceeds the master or the main object in size, cost, or importance. It highlights the absurdity of an overhead or an attachment being more burdensome than the primary entity itself.
శతకోటి లింగాలలో నా బోడి లింగం చూడమన్నాడట
shatakoti lingalalo na bodi lingam chudamannadata
Out of a billion Shiva Lingas, he asked to look for his bald one.
This expression is used when someone makes a ridiculous or impossible request for personal attention or recognition in a massive crowd or a very large collection. It highlights the absurdity of expecting something insignificant or ordinary to be singled out among millions of similar, or superior, entities.
శేరుకు నవాశేరు
sheruku navasheru
For a seer, a seer and a quarter.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone meets their match or encounters someone even more capable, cunning, or stronger than themselves. It implies that for every expert, there is always someone better.
ఊరి శని వచ్చి వీరిశెట్టిని కొట్టినదట
uri shani vachchi virishettini kottinadata
The bad luck (Shani) of the whole village came and hit Veerisetti.
This expression is used when a person is unfairly blamed or becomes the scapegoat for a collective problem or an issue they have nothing to do with. It describes a situation where one individual bears the brunt of a misfortune that was meant for many or was caused by others.
అయ్య సవాశేరు, లింగము అరవీశెడు.
ayya savasheru, lingamu aravishedu.
The man [weighs] a seer and a quarter, the lingam [round his neck] two and a half.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the maintenance, cost, or burden of an object exceeds the value or capacity of the person owning it. It highlights an imbalance where the accessory or responsibility is larger/heavier than the main subject.
లాభం లేనిదే శెట్టి ఏట పడడు
labham lenide shetti eta padadu
Unless there is something to be gained by it, the Śetṭi will not venture into the river.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely calculative and never performs an action unless there is a personal benefit or profit involved. It highlights a purely transactional mindset where even a risky or seemingly selfless act is driven by hidden gain.
The Śetṭis and Kômaṭis are very greedy and very cowardly. People do not risk their lives unless they have some great object to gain by it.
ఎల్లి శెట్టి లెక్క ఏక లెక్క.
elli shetti lekka eka lekka.
Elli Šetti's account is a single account. Receipts and disbursements, profits and loss, all muddled up together.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely stubborn or inflexible in their reasoning. It refers to someone who makes an initial calculation or decision and refuses to change it, even when shown to be wrong or when circumstances change. It highlights a lack of logic or a 'one-track' mind.
దేవర సవాశేరు, లింగం శేరు.
devara savasheru, lingam sheru.
The deity weighs one and a quarter seer, while the lingam weighs one seer.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the accessories, subordinates, or rituals are more expensive, complex, or heavy than the main subject or the principal person itself. It highlights a disproportionate relationship where the overhead exceeds the core entity.