ఉలవకాని పొలం ఊసర క్షేత్రం
ulavakani polam usara kshetram
A field that cannot grow horse gram is a barren land.
Horse gram is known for its ability to grow even in poor, dry, and low-fertility soils. This proverb implies that if a land is so infertile that it cannot even support the growth of horse gram, it is completely useless or barren. It is used to describe something or someone that lacks even the most basic potential or capability.
Related Phrases
క్షేత్రమెరిగి విత్తనం, పాత్రమెరిగి దానం.
kshetramerigi vittanam, patramerigi danam.
Sow the seed knowing the field, give the gift knowing the recipient.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of context and suitability. Just as a farmer chooses seeds based on the quality of the soil to ensure a good harvest, one should evaluate the merit, character, and need of a person before offering help or charity to ensure it is used effectively.
ఏ గాలి ముండకు డబ్బున్నర క్షవరం.
e gali mundaku dabbunnara kshavaram.
A rupee and a half for the haircut of a wandering widow.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where the cost or effort involved in a task far exceeds the value or worth of the subject itself. It highlights unnecessary extravagance or disproportionate spending on someone or something that doesn't deserve it or won't benefit from it meaningfully.
ఎరువు వేయగానే క్షేత్రం ఫలించునా?
eruvu veyagane kshetram phalinchuna?
Will the field yield fruit as soon as fertilizer is applied?
This expression emphasizes that everything takes its own time to yield results. Just as a crop doesn't grow instantly after being fertilized, efforts require patience and time before one can see the benefits. It is used to advise someone against expecting immediate success or results right after starting a task.
పాత్రమెరిగి దానము, క్షేత్రమెరిగి విత్తనము
patramerigi danamu, kshetramerigi vittanamu
Charity according to the recipient, seed according to the field
This proverb emphasizes the importance of discretion and suitability. It means that one should give charity only after judging the worthiness of the recipient (Patra), just as a farmer sows seeds only after assessing the quality of the soil (Kshetra) to ensure a good harvest. It is used to advise someone to be wise and purposeful in their actions and investments.
ఊసర క్షేత్రంలో పైరు, నీళ్ళులేని చెరువు క్రింద సేద్యం
usara kshetramlo pairu, nilluleni cheruvu krinda sedyam
Crops in a barren land, farming under a dry pond.
This expression describes a futile or useless effort. Just as crops cannot grow in salty/barren soil and farming is impossible without a water source, starting a project without the necessary resources or foundation will lead to certain failure.
ఊసరక్షేత్రంలో అలికితే ఉల్లికోపుల పంట.
usarakshetramlo alikite ullikopula panta.
If you smear cow-dung water on a barren field, it yields a crop of onions.
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a completely useless or infertile endeavor unexpectedly yields a surprising result through superficial or minimal effort. It highlights the irony of getting a specific result from a place where nothing was expected to grow.
పాత్రమెరిగి దానం, క్షేత్రమెరిగి విత్తనం.
patramerigi danam, kshetramerigi vittanam.
Give charity after knowing the recipient; sow the seed after knowing the field.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of worthiness and suitability. Just as a seed only thrives in the right soil, charity or help should only be given to those who are deserving and will make good use of it. It advises people to exercise discretion and perform due diligence before making commitments or investments.
ఊసరక్షేత్రంలో పైరు, నీరులేని చెరువు క్రింద సేద్యము
usarakshetramlo pairu, niruleni cheruvu krinda sedyamu
A crop in barren land, and farming under a tank with no water.
This expression describes a situation where efforts are completely wasted. Just as plants cannot grow in saline/barren soil and farming is impossible without water, it refers to embarking on a project or investment that is destined to fail due to a lack of fundamental resources or a poor environment.
విత్తు కన్నా క్షేత్రం మెరుగు
vittu kanna kshetram merugu
The field is better than the seed
This proverb emphasizes that environment and upbringing (nurture) are often more influential than inherent traits or lineage (nature). Just as a good quality seed cannot flourish in barren soil, a talented person needs a supportive environment to succeed. It is used to highlight the importance of the surroundings in which someone grows or works.
ఊసరక్షేత్రంలో దూసరి తీగ
usarakshetramlo dusari tiga
A Dusari vine in a barren field.
This expression refers to something that is useless or of no value being found in a place where nothing productive can grow anyway. It is used to describe a situation where effort or resources are wasted on something that will never yield results, or when one useless thing is added to another unproductive environment.