తల్లి పిల్లవన్నెకాదు, వండిపెట్ట దిక్కులేదు.
talli pillavannekadu, vandipetta dikkuledu.
The mother is not young/beautiful anymore, and there is no one else to cook and serve.
This proverb describes a helpless or pathetic situation where the person who usually manages things (represented by the mother) is either too old, sick, or incapable, and there is no alternative support system available. It is used to highlight a state of total neglect or lack of resources.
Related Phrases
తల వెంట్రుకలంత బలగమున్నా తలకొరివి పెట్టే దిక్కులేదు
tala ventrukalanta balagamunna talakorivi pette dikkuledu
Even if one has relatives as numerous as the hairs on their head, there is no one to perform the final rites.
This expression is used to describe a situation where a person is surrounded by many relatives or supporters, yet none of them are reliable or available to help during a critical time of need or at the end of their life. It highlights the irony of having a large but useless circle of people.
దిక్కులేని వారికి దేవుడే దిక్కు.
dikkuleni variki devude dikku.
God is the help of the helpless. God is where He was.
This proverb is used to express that when someone has no support, family, or help in the world, God will protect and guide them. It is equivalent to the English sentiment that God helps those who are helpless or abandoned.
దిక్కులేని దివాణముగా ఉన్నది.
dikkuleni divanamuga unnadi.
It is like a palace with no direction or protector.
This expression is used to describe a situation or an organization that is chaotic, unmanaged, or lacking leadership. It conveys a sense of abandonment where despite having resources (like a palace), there is no one to take responsibility or provide guidance.
ఆలు చచ్చినవానికి మనుముపోరాదు, వండుకొని తినేవానికి వండిపెట్టరాదు
alu chachchinavaniki manumuporadu, vandukoni tinevaniki vandipettaradu
Do not suggest a second marriage to a widower; do not offer to cook for one who can cook for himself.
This proverb highlights the importance of boundary-setting and the futility of offering unwanted help or interference. It suggests that someone who has already experienced a situation (like a widower) or is self-sufficient (like one who cooks) does not need unsolicited advice or assistance that might complicate their current state of peace or routine.
దివాణంలో దిక్కులేదు, అంబటిలో ఉప్పు లేదు.
divanamlo dikkuledu, ambatilo uppu ledu.
No help in the royal court, and no salt in the porridge.
This proverb is used to describe a state of complete helplessness or extreme poverty where there is neither protection from the high-ups (the court/government) nor the most basic necessity (salt) for daily survival. It highlights a situation where both external support and internal resources are absent.
దిక్కులేని దివాణముగా ఉన్నది.
dikkuleni divanamuga unnadi.
A government which affords no protection.
This expression is used to describe a place or an organization that is disorganized, neglected, or lacks proper leadership and supervision. It implies a state of chaos or abandonment despite having a grand structure.
చేసుకున్న తరువాత వండిపెట్టక తప్పతుందా
chesukunna taruvata vandipettaka tappatunda
After getting married, is there any way out of cooking and serving?
This expression is used to signify that once you have committed to a responsibility or entered into a situation of your own choice, you must fulfill the duties that come with it, no matter how difficult or tedious they are. It emphasizes accepting the inevitable consequences of one's decisions.
దిక్కులన్నీ ఒక దిక్కుకు తెచ్చినట్లు
dikkulanni oka dikkuku techchinatlu
As if bringing all directions to one single direction.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme confusion, chaos, or being completely overwhelmed. It refers to a situation where someone is so disoriented that they cannot distinguish between different paths or directions, metaphorically suggesting that their world has been turned upside down or converged into a single point of confusion.
దిక్కు మొక్కులేని దివాణం
dikku mokkuleni divanam
A court/administrative office with no direction or authority.
This expression is used to describe a state of total chaos, lack of leadership, or a situation where there is no one in charge to take responsibility. It often refers to an organization or household that is neglected and functioning without any order or oversight.
దిక్కులేని వాడికి దేవుడే దిక్కు
dikkuleni vadiki devude dikku
For those who have no one, God is the only refuge
This proverb is used to convey that when a person is helpless, abandoned, or has no support system (orphans, the destitute, or the oppressed), the divine power or providence is their ultimate protector. It is often used to offer comfort in dire situations or to remind others that the helpless are under God's care.