సీత పుట్టకపోతే రామాయణం లేదు, కృష్ణుడు పుట్టకపోతే భారతం లేదు
sita puttakapote ramayanam ledu, krishnudu puttakapote bharatam ledu
If Sita was not born, there would be no Ramayana; if Krishna was not born, there would be no Mahabharata.
This expression highlights the significance of central characters or fundamental causes. It is used to explain that without a specific key person or event, a whole series of subsequent actions or a great story would never have unfolded. It emphasizes that certain individuals are the soul of the narratives they belong to.
Related Phrases
చాలకపోతే బలాదూరు అన్నట్లు
chalakapote baladuru annatlu
Like saying if it is not enough, it is useless
This expression describes a dismissive attitude where someone devalues or discards something simply because it isn't sufficient for their specific needs, even if it has inherent value. It is often used to criticize people who make excuses or pretend that things they cannot fully attain are worthless.
తన బంగారము కాకపోతే వన్నే లేదు, వెరపూ లేదు.
tana bangaramu kakapote vanne ledu, verapu ledu.
If it is not his own gold, it has no colour and no touch ( fineness. ) The purchaser depreciates the value of an article brought for sale.
This expression is used to describe a person who behaves recklessly or carelessly because they have no personal stake or investment in a situation. It highlights the lack of responsibility one feels when dealing with someone else's property or efforts.
సంధ్యావందనం చేస్తే పుణ్యంలేదుగాని, చేయకపోతే పాపం.
sandhyavandanam cheste punyamledugani, cheyakapote papam.
If you perform Sandhyâvandanam there is no merit, but if you neglect it there is sin.
This expression is used to describe mandatory duties or responsibilities that are expected as a baseline. Performing them doesn't earn extra praise because they are considered a basic requirement, but neglecting them leads to negative consequences or criticism.
చూపులకు గుట్టమేకాని, మటుకుతనంలేదు
chupulaku guttamekani, matukutanamledu
A hill in appearance, but lacks substance or weight.
This expression is used to describe someone who appears physically strong, impressive, or imposing but lacks the actual strength, capability, or inner fortitude to back it up. It is similar to the English phrase 'All bark and no bite' or referring to someone as a 'hollow giant.'
చేట భారతము - కంప రామాయణము
cheta bharatamu - kampa ramayanamu
A Mahabharata the size of a winnowing basket - A Ramayana the size of a thorn bush.
This expression is used to describe an excessively long, tedious, and never-ending explanation or story. It refers to someone who stretches a simple point into a confusing and unnecessarily detailed narrative, much like calling a small winnowing basket (cheta) or a small fence (kampa) as grand epics like Mahabharata or Ramayana.
నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోను అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెండ్లాడి ఉందును అన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekaponu ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pendladi undunu annadata.
When a wife said "If I had not been born, you would not have had a wife," the husband replied "If you had not been born, I should have married your mother." i. e. a better woman.
This is a witty and biting comeback used to silence someone who is being overly boastful or arrogant about their importance in a situation. It highlights that no one is indispensable and that there are always alternatives, even if the alternatives suggested are humorous or absurdly provocative.
ఆచారానికి అంతం లేదు, అనాచారానికి ఆది లేదు.
acharaniki antam ledu, anacharaniki adi ledu.
There is no end to tradition, and no beginning to bad practices.
This proverb highlights that customs and rituals can be expanded infinitely, while improper or uncultured behaviors have no traceable origin or foundation. It is often used to comment on how people constantly add new rules to traditions or how bad habits seem to exist without any rhyme or reason.
పాము వడకకపోతే, దాని విషం వడకకపోతుందా?
pamu vadakakapote, dani visham vadakakapotunda?
If the snake does not crawl, does its venom also not crawl?
This proverb is used to describe people who may appear quiet, weak, or inactive on the outside, but still retain their inherent dangerous nature or harmful qualities. It implies that a person's core character or 'venom' doesn't disappear just because they are not currently acting out.
నేను పుట్టకపోతే నీకు పెండ్లామే లేకపోవునే అంటే, నీవు పుట్టకపోతే నీ తల్లినే పెళ్ళాడి ఉందునన్నాడట.
nenu puttakapote niku pendlame lekapovune ante, nivu puttakapote ni talline pelladi undunannadata.
When she said 'If I hadn't been born, you wouldn't have had a wife at all', he replied 'If you hadn't been born, I would have married your mother'.
This is a humorous and sarcastic Telugu proverb used to describe a witty or sharp-tongued retort to an arrogant or self-important claim. It highlights how someone's attempt to show their indispensability can be met with a crushing and absurd counter-argument, often used to silence someone who is bragging about their role in a situation.
సంతోషం లేనిదే బలం లేదు, ధైర్యం లేదు.
santosham lenide balam ledu, dhairyam ledu.
Without happiness, there is neither strength nor courage.
This expression emphasizes that true physical or mental strength and bravery stem from inner joy. It is used to suggest that a person's capability and resilience are diminished when they are unhappy or depressed.