సీతకు చెర లేకపోతే రావణాసురుడు లేడు
sitaku chera lekapote ravanasurudu ledu
If Sita didn't have imprisonment, there would be no Ravanasura.
This expression means that a person's negative traits or villainous nature are often only exposed or defined by the specific harmful actions they take against others. It is also used to suggest that certain events or outcomes are inextricably linked to specific actions or causes; without the catalyst (the captivity of Sita), the consequence (the downfall and recognition of Ravana as a villain) would not have occurred.
Related Phrases
మొగుడు లేకపోతే అప్ప మొగుడు, కూర లేకపోతే పప్పకూర.
mogudu lekapote appa mogudu, kura lekapote pappakura.
If a husband is not there, then the elder sister's husband; if a curry is not there, then dal.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone settles for a substitute or an alternative when the original or preferred choice is unavailable. It highlights the human tendency to find a replacement, sometimes even an inappropriate or simplified one, just to fill a void.
కలియుగ రావణాసురుడు
kaliyuga ravanasurudu
A Râvaṇa of the Iron age. Applied to a man as bad in this, the Iron age, as Râvaṇa was in the Golden.
This expression is used to describe an extremely wicked, cruel, or immoral person in the modern era. It compares someone's villainous traits to the mythological demon king Ravana, but contextualized within the 'Kali Yuga' (the current age of darkness and vice).
ఉండమనలేక ఊదర, పొమ్మనలేక పొగబెట్టినట్లు
undamanaleka udara, pommanaleka pogabettinatlu
Unable to ask them to stay, one creates a suffocating stench; unable to ask them to leave, one uses smoke.
This proverb describes a passive-aggressive way of getting rid of someone. Instead of directly asking a person to leave, someone creates such uncomfortable or unbearable conditions that the person is forced to leave on their own. It is used in situations where social etiquette prevents directness, leading to subtle or harsh discouragement.
బకాసురుడు
bakasurudu
Bakasura (The name of a gluttonous demon)
In common parlance, this term is used to describe someone who has an insatiable appetite or eats excessively. It refers to a character from the Mahabharata known for his greed and demand for huge quantities of food.
మనసున నాటిన మాటలు చెరపలేరు
manasuna natina matalu cherapaleru
Words planted in the heart cannot be erased
This expression highlights the lasting impact of words. Whether they are hurtful or kind, once words deeply affect someone's emotions or psyche, they leave an indelible mark that cannot be easily forgotten or undone.
లేనివాడు లేక ఏడిస్తే, ఉన్నవాడు తినలేక పడ్డాడట
lenivadu leka ediste, unnavadu tinaleka paddadata
While the one who has nothing cries because he lacks, the one who has everything suffers because he cannot eat it.
This proverb highlights that both poverty and wealth come with their own sets of problems. While a poor person suffers from deprivation, a rich person may suffer from health issues, greed, or the inability to enjoy their abundance. It is often used to describe situations where everyone has a grievance, regardless of their status.
తిండికి తిమ్మరాజు, పనికి పోతరాజు
tindiki timmaraju, paniki potaraju
Thimmaraju for eating, Potharaju for working.
This expression is used to describe someone who is very enthusiastic and consumes a lot when it comes to eating, but is extremely lazy or avoids responsibility when it comes to doing any work. It highlights the contrast between greed and laziness.
ఉండలేక పోతే, బొండను వెయ్యమన్నాడట.
undaleka pote, bondanu veyyamannadata.
If he can't keep quiet, put him in the stocks.
This expression is used to describe someone who makes extreme, irrational, or self-destructive decisions when faced with minor discomfort or temporary problems. It highlights the tendency to overreact or choose a permanent 'solution' to a temporary situation.
రావణాసురుడి కాష్టం వలె
ravanasurudi kashtam vale
Like the funeral pyre of Ravanasura
This expression is used to describe a problem, conflict, or situation that persists for a very long time without reaching a conclusion. According to legend, Ravana's funeral pyre never goes out; similarly, this phrase refers to issues that keep burning or simmering indefinitely.
తోడు లేక పోదు రాచ పీనుగ
todu leka podu racha pinuga
A royal corpse does not go alone.
This proverb implies that when a powerful or highly influential person falls or faces a disaster, they inevitably drag others down with them. It is used to describe situations where a major failure causes collateral damage to those associated with it.