సూరీడుకు తీరికలేదు, సారథికి కాళ్లు లేవు
suriduku tirikaledu, sarathiki kallu levu
The Sun has no leisure, and his charioteer has no legs.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where one is burdened with relentless work or duty without any respite, often while lacking the necessary means or support to perform it easily. It refers to the mythological depiction of the Sun God (Surya) who must travel across the sky daily without a break, driven by Aruna, a charioteer who is thighless (has no legs). It highlights the irony of a powerful deity being bound by an endless, demanding cycle.
Related Phrases
కాలు కడుగ ముంతలేదు, కల్లుకు కళాయిగిన్నె
kalu kaduga muntaledu, kalluku kalayiginne
Not a small pot to wash feet, but a polished vessel for palm wine.
This proverb describes a person who lacks basic necessities but spends lavishly on vices or luxuries. It is used to criticize those who do not prioritize their essential needs and instead waste resources on unproductive habits.
అరనిమిషం తీరికాలేదు, అరకాసు సంపాదనా లేదు
aranimisham tirikaledu, arakasu sampadana ledu
Not even half a minute of free time, yet not even half a cent of earnings.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is constantly busy and overworked but has nothing to show for it financially. It highlights a situation where one's efforts are unproductive or unrewarding, often used to mock someone's inefficient busyness or lack of success despite hard work.
చదువూలేదు, సంధ్యాలేదు, సంతానం మాత్రం మెండు.
chaduvuledu, sandhyaledu, santanam matram mendu.
No education, no prayers, but offspring in abundance.
This proverb is used to mock someone who lacks knowledge, discipline, or productive skills but is highly successful at reproducing or multiplying problems. It highlights a lack of responsibility or intellectual pursuit while focusing only on basic biological or unproductive aspects of life.
చదువూ లేదు, సంధ్యా లేదు, సంతానం మెండు.
chaduvu ledu, sandhya ledu, santanam mendu.
[He has] no learning and [says] no prayers but [has] nuiserous issue. Said of an ignorant, irreligious, sensual man.
This expression is used to describe someone who lacks education, culture, or professional discipline, yet excels in producing children or multiplying problems without the means to support them. It highlights a lack of responsibility or foresight in one's lifestyle.
ఎగతాళికి ధరలేదు, కథకు మోకాళ్ళులేవు.
egataliki dharaledu, kathaku mokallulevu.
There is no price for mockery, and there are no knees for a story.
This proverb highlights that mocking or making fun of someone costs nothing and requires no effort, much like how a fictional story doesn't need to be grounded in physical reality or logic. It is often used to criticize people who talk irresponsibly or make groundless claims just for the sake of it.
నొసట కళ్ళు లేవు, నోట్లో పళ్ళు లేవు
nosata kallu levu, notlo pallu levu
No eyes on the forehead, no teeth in the mouth.
This expression is used to describe a person who is extremely old or in a state of physical decline. It can also sarcastically refer to someone who is acting helpless or lacks basic common sense and capability.
ఆలు లేదు, చూలు లేదు, కొడుకు పేరు సోమలింగం.
alu ledu, chulu ledu, koduku peru somalingam.
No wife and no pregnancy, but the child’s name is Somalingam.
Some people look for results even before the necessary tasks are performed. This indicates absurdity in wildly expecting something to happen.
We have no son and yet are giving him a namc. (Spanish.)* Count not your chickens before they are hatched. * Hijo no tenemos, y nombre le ponemos.
కట్టె లేదు, పిడక లేదు, కాచి పోయడానికి నీళ్లు లేవు, పదవోయి అల్లుడా బావిగట్టుకు అన్నట్టు.
katte ledu, pidaka ledu, kachi poyadaniki nillu levu, padavoyi alluda bavigattuku annattu.
There is no firewood, there is no dry cowdung, there is no water to boil—come away to the well O son-in-law ! The son-in-law should have been provided with a warm bath, but his wife's parents were too poor.
This expression is used to mock someone who pretends to offer hospitality or perform a task while lacking any of the necessary resources or genuine intention to do so. It describes a situation where instead of providing comfort at home, the host suggests a shortcut that makes the guest do all the work, reflecting empty promises or extreme lack of preparation.
నీరధికి నీరు మోసినట్లు
niradhiki niru mosinatlu
Like carrying water to the ocean
This expression is used to describe a redundant or futile effort where one provides something to someone who already possesses it in abundance. It is similar to the English idiom 'carrying coals to Newcastle'.
కథకు కాళ్లు లేవు, ముంతకు చెవులు లేవు
kathaku kallu levu, muntaku chevulu levu
No legs to the tale, no ears to the pot. Said of a story that one cannot make head or tail of. A story without a head. (Greek.)
This proverb is used to describe a story, explanation, or excuse that lacks logic, consistency, or a proper foundation. It refers to something that is nonsensical or a 'cock and bull story' where the details don't add up or have no basis in reality.