స్వాతి సముద్రాన్ని చంకన బెట్టుకొస్తుంది
svati samudranni chankana bettukostundi
Swati carries the ocean under her armpit
This proverb is used to describe a person who is extremely efficient, resourceful, or capable of achieving seemingly impossible tasks with ease. It highlights extraordinary skill or the power of specific timing (referring to the Swati Nakshatram/star) where a small effort leads to a massive result.
Related Phrases
సముద్రాన్ని బయట నిలబడే పొగుడుతాము
samudranni bayata nilabade pogudutamu
We praise the ocean only while standing outside of it.
This expression is used to describe a situation where people admire or praise something from a safe distance, often because they are afraid to face its actual power, depth, or the challenges it presents. It implies that it is easy to appreciate the beauty of something when you are not personally involved in its risks or difficulties.
సముద్రానికి లవణదర్శనమన్నట్లు
samudraniki lavanadarshanamannatlu
Like showing salt to the ocean.
This expression is used to describe a redundant or futile action. Just as the ocean is the source of all salt and already contains it in abundance, offering salt to it is pointless. It refers to situations where someone tries to give something to a person who already possesses it in vast quantities, or explains something to an absolute expert.
ఒడ్డున నిలబడే సముద్రాన్ని పొగడాలి
odduna nilabade samudranni pogadali
One should praise the ocean while standing on the shore
This expression means that it is easy to admire or criticize something complex and dangerous from a safe distance. It is used to suggest that one can truly appreciate the magnitude of a situation only when they are not directly endangered or overwhelmed by it, or conversely, that one's perspective is limited when they haven't actually entered the 'waters' of the experience.
సముద్రానికి ఏతము వేసినట్లు
samudraniki etamu vesinatlu
Like fixing a pump to the sea. For full description of the Etam, Etām or Yâtâm (the Indian swape called by the English Picota) see Buchanan's Mysore. He is building a bridge over the sea.
This expression describes a futile or insignificant effort. An 'Etamu' (picota) is a traditional tool used to draw water from small wells for irrigation; using such a small tool to try and empty or impact a vast ocean is pointless and ineffective. It is used when someone's efforts are grossly inadequate for the scale of the task at hand.
స్వాతి వానకు సముద్రాలు నిండును
svati vanaku samudralu nindunu
The oceans will be filled by the Swati rain.
This proverb refers to the 'Swati' nakshatram (star constellation). It signifies that during the auspicious Swati rain, even a small amount of rain is considered so potent and significant that it metaphorically fills the vast oceans. It is used to describe how a timely blessing or a single positive event can bring immense abundance and fulfillment.
ఏ చంకనాకినా ఏమిలేదుగాని, ఏకుచంకనాకితే ఏగాని ఉంది.
e chankanakina emiledugani, ekuchankanakite egani undi.
No matter which armpit you lick, there is nothing; but if you lick the cotton armpit, there is a small coin.
This is a humorous yet cynical proverb used to describe someone who is extremely stingy, calculating, or desperate for tiny gains. It suggests that even in a situation where there is generally nothing to be found, a person might find a microscopic profit (an 'Egani' or small copper coin) by looking in the most unexpected or lowly places. It is often used to mock people who waste time on trivial, petty gains instead of focusing on significant work.
మేకపిల్లను చంకన పెట్టుకుని ఊరంతా వెతికినట్లు
mekapillanu chankana pettukuni uranta vetikinatlu
Like carrying a kid (baby goat) under one's arm and searching the whole village for it.
This proverb describes a situation where someone is looking for something that they already possess or that is right with them. It is used to mock absent-mindedness or the act of searching far and wide for a solution that is close at hand.
కట్టుకోలు ఏకాదశి కట్టె కంప కొట్టుకొస్తుంది
kattukolu ekadashi katte kampa kottukostundi
On Kattukolu Ekadasi, even sticks and bushes will be washed away
This proverb refers to a specific Ekadasi (usually Ashadha Shukla Ekadasi or Nirjala Ekadasi) during the monsoon season when rainfall is expected to be so heavy that it washes away dry wood and thorns. It is used to describe the onset of heavy seasonal rains or a situation where a massive force clears everything in its path.
పిల్లిని చంకన పెట్టుకుని పెళ్ళికి వెళ్ళినట్టు.
pillini chankana pettukuni pelliki vellinattu.
Like going to a wedding while carrying a cat under one's arm.
This expression describes a situation where someone brings along an unnecessary burden or a nuisance while trying to perform an important task. It refers to people who create their own obstacles or distractions that make a simple or celebratory event difficult for themselves and others.
సముద్రం చంకలో పెట్టుకుని, చెలమకు చేయి చాచినట్లు.
samudram chankalo pettukuni, chelamaku cheyi chachinatlu.
Like having the ocean under one's arm, yet stretching out a hand for a small puddle.
This proverb is used to describe a person who possesses vast resources or great wealth but still begs or seeks help for something insignificant. It highlights the irony of not realizing or utilizing one's own immense potential and instead looking for petty external assistance.