శ్రీవైష్ణవుల మధ్య రొయ్యల బుట్టలాగా

When some harm is intended to be inflicted on a person, sometimes the person gets benefited by that. Occasionally, evil intentions and actions of others may turn out to be beneficial.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is entrusted with something they cannot resist consuming or misusing. Just as a cat will immediately eat the prawns tied to its neck, a person placed in a position of temptation will inevitably succumb to it. It signifies a lack of trust or a foolish decision in delegating responsibility.

This expression is used to describe a situation where something supposedly forbidden or inappropriate is secretly consumed or stolen by people who pretend to be virtuous. It highlights hypocrisy, where those who claim to be holy or disciplined (sanyasis) are the ones secretly indulging in vices (drinking toddy), leading to the 'mysterious' disappearance of the items.

This expression describes a situation where a person is surrounded by overwhelming difficulties, intense pressure, or severe tests from all directions. It is often used to convey a state of extreme distress or being trapped in a highly stressful environment.

This proverb highlights the vulnerability of the weak or poor when caught in the middle of a conflict or rivalry between powerful, arrogant people. Just as a fragile earthen pot would be easily shattered if caught between fighting giants, common people often suffer the most during the power struggles of the elite. It is used to describe situations where the innocent or underprivileged are collateral damage in larger disputes.

This proverb is used to point out hypocrisy or inconsistency between a person's outward claims and their secret actions. Sri Vaishnavas are traditionally strict vegetarians, so if a group of them claims to be pious while a basket of prawns goes missing, it implies that someone among them is secretly violating their principles. It is used when everyone in a group pretends to be innocent or righteous, yet a misdeed has clearly been committed.

This proverb is used to describe hypocrisy or a situation where people pretend to be pious, righteous, or honest, yet engage in dishonest acts behind the scenes. It implies that while everyone claims to be a vegetarian/saintly, the non-vegetarian food (prawns) has been stolen, suggesting that one of the 'pious' people is the culprit.

This proverb is used to point out hypocrisy or double standards. Srivaishnavas are traditionally strictly vegetarian. The saying describes a situation where everyone claims to be pious and pure, yet a basket of non-vegetarian food (prawns) has gone missing, implying that someone is lying about their true actions or character.

This expression refers to someone who stands out as superior, talented, or graceful while surrounded by ordinary or inferior people. It is used to describe a person of quality in an environment where others lack that same refinement or skill.

This expression is used to describe a situation where someone is being extremely foolish or setting themselves up for a loss. Placing butter on the head (which melts in the sun) and using prawns (which are scavenged by crows and dogs) as a waistband implies that the person's assets or efforts will quickly vanish or be snatched away due to poor planning.