తనువు తాను కాదనువానికి తపసు చేయనేల
tanuvu tanu kadanuvaniki tapasu cheyanela
Why should one who realizes they are not the body perform penance?
This expression originates from Vemana's poetry. it suggests that the ultimate goal of spiritual practice is self-realization. Once a person understands that their true self is the soul (Atma) and not the physical body, formal rituals or rigorous penance (Tapas) become unnecessary, as they have already attained the highest wisdom.
Related Phrases
అనువయిన భూమి అరచేయంత చాలు
anuvayina bhumi aracheyanta chalu
A suitable land the size of a palm is enough
This proverb emphasizes quality over quantity. It suggests that a small amount of something useful, effective, or high-quality is much better than a vast amount of something useless. It is often used to describe how a small but fertile piece of land is better than acres of barren land, or how a single capable person is better than a large, incompetent group.
తన అన్నం తాను తింటూ, తన గుడ్డ తాను కట్టుతూ ఊరికి భయపడవలెనా
tana annam tanu tintu, tana gudda tanu kattutu uriki bhayapadavalena
While eating one's own food and wearing one's own clothes, should one fear the village?
This expression is used to assert independence and self-reliance. It implies that if a person is self-sufficient, works hard for their own livelihood, and does not depend on others for basic needs like food or clothing, they do not need to worry about societal criticism or be intimidated by others' opinions.
తనువు చేసేది మనవు చేసేది మంచిదే అవుతుంది
tanuvu chesedi manavu chesedi manchide avutundi
What the body does and what the mind does will result in good.
This expression reflects a philosophical or fatalistic outlook, suggesting that whatever happens—whether driven by physical actions or mental intentions—is ultimately for the best or part of a larger destiny. It is often used to provide consolation during unexpected outcomes or to emphasize that things work out for the better in the long run.
అడుసు త్రొక్కనేల? కాలు కడగనేల?
adusu trokkanela? kalu kadaganela?
Why step in the mud? Why wash the foot?
This expression means that it is better to avoid a bad situation or a known problem altogether rather than getting involved and then trying to fix the consequences. It is used to advise someone to stay away from trouble or unnecessary complications from the start.
అడుసు త్రొక్కనేల కాలు కడుగనేల
adusu trokkanela kalu kaduganela
Why step in the mud and then why wash your feet?
This proverb is used to advise someone to avoid getting into trouble or making a mistake in the first place, rather than trying to fix it later. It is similar to the English saying 'Prevention is better than cure.' It suggests that one should use foresight to avoid messy situations instead of wasting effort resolving them.
దారిద్ర్యానికి ఆవలింత పంట.
daridryaniki avalinta panta.
A yawn is the harvest of poverty.
This expression refers to extreme poverty where a person has nothing to eat and is constantly hungry, leading to frequent yawning (a physical sign of exhaustion or an empty stomach). It is used to describe a state of utter destitution where physical weakness and hunger are the only things one 'possesses'.
తనువు వెళ్ళినా దినము వెళ్ళదు
tanuvu vellina dinamu velladu
Even if the body leaves, the day does not pass.
This expression is used to describe a state of extreme suffering or boredom where time feels agonizingly slow. It suggests that while one's life or strength might be fading away, the day itself feels endless and difficult to get through.
తాను చేసిన పాపం తనువుతో, తల్లి చేసిన పాపం ధరణితో.
tanu chesina papam tanuvuto, talli chesina papam dharanito.
The sin committed by oneself stays with the body, the sin committed by the mother stays with the earth.
This proverb highlights the gravity and consequences of actions. It suggests that while an individual's personal mistakes or sins affect their own physical being or life journey, a mother's actions have a much broader, foundational impact on the lineage or the environment. It is often used to emphasize accountability and the lasting legacy of one's deeds.
ఈదాడన్నను మదనుడు కోదాడనువాడు.
idadannanu madanudu kodadanuvadu.
If one says 'this place', Madana says 'Kodada'.
This proverb is used to describe a person who is intentionally argumentative or contradictory. When one person suggests a direction or an idea, the other person contrarily suggests something completely different just for the sake of opposing.
తాకట్ల మొగుడా తంటాల మొగుడా నీ తనువుండగానే నన్ను మనువిచ్చిపోరా
takatla moguda tantala moguda ni tanuvundagane nannu manuvichchipora
O husband of debts and troubles, while you are still alive, marry me off to someone else and go.
This is a sarcastic and satirical proverb used to describe a person who is so burdened by debt and incompetence that they are useless to their dependents. It expresses extreme frustration where the dependent feels it is better to be freed from the relationship or responsibility while the person is still around, rather than suffering further under their failures. It highlights a state of complete hopelessness in a partnership or leadership.