తల్లి కడుపులో చొరకముందు దయ్యాలదేవత, భూమిలో పుట్టిన తర్వాత యమదేవత.

talli kadupulo chorakamundu dayyaladevata, bhumilo puttina tarvata yamadevata.

Translation

Before he entered his mother's womb he was the prince of devils; after he was born into the world he became the god of death. Said of a exceedingly wicked and relentlessly cruel man.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe an extremely troublesome, wicked, or cruel person. It implies that the person's existence is cursed or malevolent from the very beginning to the end, causing suffering to everyone around them.

Related Phrases

A goddess of ghosts before entering the mother's womb, and a goddess of death (Yama) after being born on earth.

This proverb is often used to describe someone who is inherently troublesome or destructive from before birth until death. It refers to a person whose very nature is perceived as unlucky or harmful to those around them throughout their entire existence.

Suspicion was born first, and woman was born after.

This is a popular Telugu proverb used to remark that suspicion or jealousy is an inherent trait often attributed to women. It is typically used in a lighthearted or critical manner when a woman expresses doubt or mistrust towards her partner or a situation.

Without the buttermilk in the stomach even moving

This expression is used to describe a state of absolute comfort, ease, or luxury where a person doesn't have to perform any physical labor or face any hardships. It literally suggests a life so stable and smooth that even the liquid in one's stomach remains undisturbed.

Why wrap the cloth after the gold is lost?

This proverb is used to describe an act of being cautious or taking measures when it is already too late. It highlights the pointlessness of guarding an empty container or vessel after the valuable contents have already been stolen or lost. It is similar to the English expression 'locking the stable door after the horse has bolted.'

When the household deity is neglected and left to starve, a festival is celebrated for the neighbor's deity.

This proverb is used to criticize people who neglect their own family, relatives, or responsibilities at home while spending lavishly or showing great concern for outsiders. It highlights the irony of ignoring local needs to gain approval elsewhere.

If a child is born after four, the house becomes gold. If born after three, there won't even be a lid to cover the pot.

This traditional Telugu proverb reflects old folk beliefs and superstitions regarding the birth order of children (usually referring to a girl being born after a sequence of boys). It suggests that the fourth child brings immense prosperity and luck to the family, whereas a third child is superstitiously associated with hardship or poverty. It is used to describe the perceived fortunes a new child brings to a household based on their sequence of birth.

Why worry about the cold after being completely drenched?

This proverb is used to describe a situation where someone has already faced the worst possible outcome or has committed fully to a difficult task, making further hesitation or minor complaints irrelevant. It is similar to the English expression 'In for a penny, in for a pound' or 'Once the rubicon is crossed.'

After sixty years had passed, he cried Ammâ (mother). Second childhood. Old men are twice children. (Latin.)

This expression is used to describe someone who starts learning the basics or realizes their responsibilities far too late in life. It highlights an action that is extremely delayed or untimely, suggesting that the time to do something has already passed.

Once a child is born, even the moneylender doesn't say no.

This proverb is a social commentary on how a person's creditworthiness or standing in society increases once they have a child (especially an heir). It implies that having children is seen as a sign of stability, responsibility, and continuity, making others—including moneylenders—more willing to trust or lend to that person.

It is said that suspicion was born first, and then woman was born.

This is a traditional Telugu proverb used to humorously or critically remark that women are inherently more suspicious or prone to doubting others. It is often cited when a woman expresses distrust or skepticism without immediate proof.