వాన రాకడ, ప్రాణం పోకడ ఎవరికీ తెలియదు

vana rakada, pranam pokada evariki teliyadu

Translation

The coming of rain, and the going of life, are known to none. Sorrow an' ill weather comc unsent for. (Bouch.) Death keeps no calendar.

Meaning

This proverb highlights the unpredictability of nature and human life. Just as one cannot accurately predict exactly when it will rain, one cannot foresee the moment of death. It is used to express that certain events are beyond human knowledge and control.

Related Phrases

The life of an elephant is its trunk, the life of wealth is the woman.

This proverb highlights the vital importance of certain elements to an entity's existence. Just as an elephant depends entirely on its trunk for survival and strength, a household's prosperity (Sri) is believed to reside in and depend upon the character, conduct, and well-being of the woman of the house.

If I say I know the 'Aderu', don't I know it? It has two branches just like a 'Thoderu'.

This proverb is used to describe a person who pretends to be an expert on a subject but reveals their utter ignorance by comparing it to something else that is equally non-existent or wrong. It mocks someone who tries to cover up their lack of knowledge with confident but nonsensical explanations.

Every man's life is sweet to himself. Life is sweet.

This proverb conveys that every living being values their own life above all else. It is used to explain that self-preservation is a natural instinct and that no one wants to suffer or die, regardless of their status or situation.

* Chacun porte sa croix.

Until it hits the head, one knows nothing.

This proverb is used to describe a person who does not understand the severity or consequences of a situation until they personally suffer from it or until the problem becomes unavoidable. It is similar to the English expression 'to learn the hard way.'

Do I not know what salt (lavanam) is? It is like calling Somidevamma's daughter 'Dudarenam'.

This proverb is used to mock someone who pretends to be an expert or highly knowledgeable but exposes their total ignorance the moment they speak. In the saying, the person claims to know the word 'Lavanam' (Salt) but immediately confuses it with a nonsensical word 'Dudarenam', proving they have no idea what they are talking about.

Truth is the life of a word, honor is the life of a woman, and a signature is the life of a document.

This proverb emphasizes the essential quality that gives value or 'life' to certain things. It teaches that a word is only meaningful if it is true, a person's character is defined by their dignity and honor, and a document or letter only gains legal or formal validity through a signature.

One's own life is sweet to them

This expression signifies that every living being values their own life above all else. It is used to explain self-preservation instincts or to highlight that no matter how difficult someone's life is, they still cherish their existence and fear death.

The depth is not known until one enters (the water).

This expression means that one cannot truly understand the complexity or difficulty of a situation until they are personally involved or have started the task. It is used to advise against making superficial judgments or to explain that practical experience is necessary to grasp the reality of a problem.

One does not realize the bad smell of one's own mouth.

This proverb is used to point out that people are often unaware of their own flaws, mistakes, or annoying habits, even though they are obvious to everyone else around them. It is similar to the English concept of 'being blind to one's own faults.'

Without eating you can't tell the taste; without going down [ into the water ] you can't know the depth. The proof of a pudding is in the eating.

This proverb emphasizes that practical experience is essential to truly understand or judge something. Just as you cannot judge a dish without tasting it or know the depth of a pond without stepping into it, you cannot understand the complexities or difficulties of a situation or task until you are personally involved in it.