సూర్యుడు తనోడైతే, చుక్కలన్నీ తన కుక్కలంట
suryudu tanodaite, chukkalanni tana kukkalanta
If the Sun is one's own, all the stars are like his dogs
This proverb describes the arrogance or sense of power one feels when they have the support of a very influential person. It suggests that if a powerful person (the Sun) is on your side, you tend to treat everyone else (the stars) as subordinates or insignificants (dogs).
Related Phrases
ఎండా వానా కలిసి వస్తే కుక్కలకు, నక్కలకు పెళ్లి.
enda vana kalisi vaste kukkalaku, nakkalaku pelli.
If sun and rain come together, it is the wedding of dogs and foxes.
This is a popular folk saying used when it rains while the sun is still shining. It describes a rare or paradoxical natural phenomenon. While scientifically known as a 'sunshower', in Telugu culture, it is traditionally associated with the mythical wedding of foxes and dogs.
ఎండా వానా కలిసి వస్తే కుక్కలకూ నక్కలకూ పెళ్లి.
enda vana kalisi vaste kukkalaku nakkalaku pelli.
When it sunshines and rains together, it is a wedding for dogs and foxes.
This is a popular Telugu folk saying used when the sun shines while it is raining simultaneously. It is often told to children as a whimsical explanation for this rare weather phenomenon, suggesting that such magical or unusual weather signifies a celebration in the animal kingdom.
తిన్న కుక్క తినిపోతే, కన్న కుక్కను కట్టేసినారంట.
tinna kukka tinipote, kanna kukkanu kattesinaranta.
While the dog that ate the food ran away, they tied up the dog that saw it happen.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the actual culprit or wrongdoer escapes, and an innocent bystander or a witness is unfairly blamed or punished for the deed. It highlights a failure of justice or a mistake in identifying the true offender.
నందరాయని భాగ్యమూ, నక్కలకూ, కుక్కలకూ.
nandarayani bhagyamu, nakkalaku, kukkalaku.
Nandaraya's wealth (went) to foxes and dogs.
This proverb describes a situation where someone's hard-earned wealth or resources are not enjoyed by them or their heirs, but instead are wasted or consumed by unworthy, greedy, or unrelated outsiders. It is used to highlight the irony of accumulating great fortune only for it to be squandered by others.
తిన్న కుక్క తిని పోతే, కన్న కుక్కను పట్టి కాళ్లు విరగకొట్టినట్టు
tinna kukka tini pote, kanna kukkanu patti kallu viragakottinattu
When the dog which had eaten [ the food ] ran off, he caught hold of another dog and broke its leg. Making the innocent suffer for the guilty.
This proverb describes a situation where the actual culprit escapes, and an innocent person who happens to be nearby is punished for the crime. It is used to highlight injustice or a lapse in judgement where the wrong person is held accountable for someone else's mistake.
చూస్తే చుక్క, లేస్తే కుక్క
chuste chukka, leste kukka
A star when seen (sitting), a dog when it gets up.
This expression is used to describe someone who appears calm, beautiful, or well-behaved while stationary or silent, but turns out to be aggressive, loud, or ill-mannered once they start acting or speaking. It is often used to warn that appearances can be deceptive.
తన తలుపుతీసి పొరుగింటికి పెట్టి, రాత్రంతా కుక్కలను తోలుతూ కూర్చున్నట్లు
tana taluputisi porugintiki petti, ratranta kukkalanu tolutu kurchunnatlu
Like removing one's own door, giving it to a neighbor, and sitting up all night chasing away dogs.
This proverb describes a person who foolishly creates problems for themselves by helping others excessively or unnecessarily at their own expense. It refers to someone who lacks common sense in prioritizing their own basic security or needs before trying to be charitable, resulting in a situation where they must work unnecessarily hard to fix the mess they created.
కుక్కలకు కులం పంచాయతా?
kukkalaku kulam panchayata?
Do dogs have caste arbitrations?
This expression is used to mock people who argue over trivial matters or status when their actual behavior or situation doesn't warrant such importance. It suggests that certain disputes or social distinctions are unnecessary and ridiculous in specific contexts, much like dogs fighting over hierarchy is pointless to human eyes.
ఒకరిదైతే ఓపినంత, తనదైతే తగరమంత.
okaridaite opinanta, tanadaite tagaramanta.
If it's another's, it's as much as one can endure; if it's one's own, it's as much as a mountain.
This proverb describes double standards and hypocrisy. It refers to people who are very demanding, critical, or stingy when dealing with others' resources or problems, but become extremely sensitive, protective, or exaggerating when it involves their own property or effort.
వెయ్యి కన్నులు రేయికుంటే, పగటికేమో ఒకటే (చుక్కలు, సూర్యుడు).
veyyi kannulu reyikunte, pagatikemo okate (chukkalu, suryudu).
If the night has a thousand eyes, the day has only one (Stars and Sun).
This expression uses poetic imagery to contrast the night sky (filled with thousands of stars) with the daytime sky (dominated by a single sun). It is often used to describe how a multitude of small things can be overshadowed by one powerful entity, or to highlight the different perspectives of day and night.