తులసి కడుపున దురదగొండి పుట్టినట్లు

tulasi kadupuna duradagondi puttinatlu

Translation

Like a stinging nettle being born to a Tulsi (Holy Basil) plant.

Meaning

This proverb is used to describe a situation where a wicked or worthless person is born to noble and virtuous parents. The Tulsi plant represents purity and divinity, while the stinging nettle represents something irritating or harmful.

Related Phrases

Like a tiger being born to a leopard.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a child or descendant far surpasses the parents in stature, capability, or greatness. It highlights an extraordinary outcome from modest or ordinary origins, similar to the English concept of 'the student surpassing the master' or a humble lineage producing a great leader.

Will a goat be born in a tiger's womb?

This proverb is used to emphasize that children usually inherit the traits, courage, or characteristics of their parents. It is often said when someone expects a person born to a strong or talented family to display the same greatness, suggesting that 'greatness begets greatness' or that one's lineage determines their nature.

Born to a tiger, but bleating like a goat

This expression is used to describe a person who, despite having an illustrious lineage, high-status parents, or great potential, displays cowardice or lacks the expected qualities of their heritage. It highlights the irony of a person with great origins behaving in a weak or timid manner.

The child born from one's womb - the money tied to one's hem.

This proverb emphasizes reliability and security. It suggests that just as a child you birthed is truly your own and will support you, the money you have physically on your person is the only wealth you can truly count on in an emergency. It is used to highlight the importance of self-reliance and liquid assets over promised help or distant wealth.

The money tied in one's own garment and the child born from one's own womb.

This expression highlights things that one can truly rely on and call their own. Just as a child is one's own blood, money kept securely with oneself is the only wealth that is guaranteed to be available in times of need. It emphasizes self-reliance and the importance of having personal resources rather than depending on others.

Like a cannon being born in the belly of a musket. Great things from small.

This expression is used to describe a situation where a child or a successor is significantly more powerful, capable, or talented than their parent or predecessor. It highlights an extraordinary jump in scale or impact from one generation to the next.

Like a cannon being born from the womb of a rifle

This expression is used to describe a situation where a child is much more capable, talented, or powerful than their parents. While a rifle (tupaki) is a significant weapon, a cannon (phirangi) is far more powerful. It highlights a remarkable leap in stature or ability in the next generation.

Will a lion be born from the womb of a fox?

This proverb is used to imply that noble qualities or greatness cannot emerge from a mean or cowardly origin. It suggests that a person's inherent nature is determined by their lineage or character, and one cannot expect extraordinary results from something or someone that is fundamentally inferior.

Will a tiger be born from a deer's womb?

This proverb is used to express that children inherit the traits and character of their parents. It is often used rhetorically to say that someone of a gentle or timid nature cannot produce someone who is aggressive or brave, or more commonly, that greatness or specific qualities cannot emerge from a lineage that lacks them.

Like a diamond being born from a wicked person's womb.

This proverb is used to describe a situation where an exceptionally virtuous, talented, or noble person is born to parents of bad character or low merit. It highlights a rare and positive exception in lineage, much like finding a precious gem in an unlikely or unworthy source.